Seven university students have chosen to spend a week's worth of holidays assisting an inner-city church in its ministry to the poor, the suffering and the forgotten.
The Glebe Assistance and Partnership Program (GAPP), which has been a ministry operating out of St John's, Glebe aims to give emergency relief and assistance for people in crisis with a strong emphasis on partnership, hospitality and relationship.
GAPP coordinator and St John's, Glebe assistant minister Jo Holland organises the team of volunteers which includes church members, locals and even some ex-clients who run the twice-weekly ministry.
The students assisting GAPP were one of four Credo teams participating in a range of mid-year evangelism missions.
Credo staff worker Rebecca Spires says working with GAPP was a valuable growth experience for the Credo members and herself.
"I remember being in a conversation with a guy who is going through a drug detox program. We talked about which type of prescription drug is better to be on during this time, methadone or bup. It was the first time I have had a conversation with someone who has a drug problem and got to hear how they were dealing with it. At some point during the four days all of us had a conversation like this," she says.
Mrs Holland has been deeply moved by the willingness of students from UTS's Christian group Credo to use part of their holidays to assist with GAPP.
"It was encouraging for me to see Credo students engaging with GAPP volunteers and hearing their experiences in working with GAPP," she says. "The students also did a good job of relating and listening to the clients."
Glebe’s surprising reality
The poverty in Glebe may sound surprising given the suburb's reputation for containing young urbanites in their expensive terrace houses and plenty of student accommodation, but according to census data, almost one-quarter of Glebe's residences are owned by the Department of Housing.
According to Mrs Holland, this means that St John's GAPP ministry has a large section of the community to minister to.
GAPP's clients include a mix of predominantly single-parent families, people on the aged or disability pension, single men above the age of 40 and people with mental health issues and addictions.
"When people come in we give them a cup of tea then listen to people's stories. Their biggest need is being listened to as most clients are feeling isolated and looking for human connection."
Mrs Spires believes every Christian ought to have the poor and suffering on their hearts.
"God cares about everyone and wants us to show His love to everyone, so what better way to love someone who is struggling financially than to help them with their physical needs and spend time with them ministering to their emotional and spiritual needs as well."
Changes in the GAPP clients were even noticeable within the two weeks.
"There is one client at GAPP who, when he started coming, could barely make conversation with anyone, but now he can sit and talk all morning " just because the volunteers at GAPP were willing to sit and chat with him," Mrs Spires says.
