Rich Lanham has worked extensively with children and youth for almost 20 years. He’s initiated residential care programs, church-based youth work, outdoor education ventures, casework and alternative education ministries. Now he’s planting churches for Koori kids and their families in the Western N.S.W. town of Gilgandra, Diocese of Bathurst.
The Lanham’s were invited to Gilgandra following negotiations with the Bush Church Aid Society (BCA). The idea was for BCA to provide a Christian youth worker for the town; this position would be supported by seven of the local church congregations!
Stuart: Rich, you began in 2005 with a brief to support existing youth ministries. Were there any other expectations?
Rich: Yes, there were three specific areas we were asked to work on: improved contact with the indigenous community; to further develop schools ministry; to identify new opportunities.
Stuart: I’m aware that you’ve opened your home to kids and their families. I understand you’ve started a community vegetable garden. How else have you immersed yourself in the life of the town?
Rich: From the time we have been here the Lord has blessed our relationship with the Primary and the High School. I am President of the Primary School P&C. This role has given me excellent opportunities to connect with staff and parents. Thank the Lord that our application for Commonwealth chaplaincy funding was successful. In October I officially became the Chaplain at Gilgandra High School. My wife Julie and I also have the great privilege of teaching scripture at the primary school. And last term five of my grade 6 class asked the Lord Jesus into their hearts!
Stuart: How is the indegenous ministry progressing?
Rich: For about twelve months I’ve been meeting regularly to pray with an Aboriginal pastor, Henry Louie. Henry is also the Aboriginal aid at the primary school. We’ve since started a Koori youth group, a discipleship group for the young people who have asked Jesus into their hearts, and those who are interested in the bible and Christianity. The group has grown from about 20 in our home, to 35 in the local hall.
Stuart: Brilliant! And the church plant?
Rich: Sure. We have also started a 5.00 pm Sunday church service for young people at the Australian Indigenous Ministries (AIM) church. On average 25 kids are coming along. We recently had a group of people from a Baptist church in Sydney run a holiday program and a ‘backyard blitz’ at the AIM church. I am currently preparing eleven young people for baptism in the Castlereagh River!
Stuart: Rich, tell us about some of your audacious dreams.
Rich: Well, last year (2006) I developed a gap year program for students leaving high school (on their way to University or TAFE). We’ve come across a building in Gilgandra, an old pub that is for sale. We’re currently working on a plan for this pub to be the venue our gap year youth ministry course. The pub could accommodate students, provide a suitable learning environment, be used for existing youth ministry and even create income and employment through the establishment of a pizza restaurant!
There is no doubt in my mind that the Lord has His hand on this ministry. Over and over Proverbs 3:5-6 goes through my mind. "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight".
Stuart: How might we pray for you Rich?
Rich: Thank God for his grace and provision. Please pray for Julie and me as we seek to be faithful to Jesus’ call. Please pray that our young sons, Jack, Jacob and Elijah will be blessed by this experience. And please pray that the Lord will continue to bless BCA's presence in Gilgandra. And pray that we’ll somehow raise the $250,000 to buy the hotel.
Stuart Robinson is the National Mission Facilitator for the Anglican Church of Australia and the rector of St Paul’s Anglican Church, Chatswood.
