Yes, you read it right, Sydneyanglicans.net is launching its first snow report, though this one will cover more Heaven-sent gifts than frozen water. And who better to do it than the boy’s from the Motor Mission - or one of them, anyway. While Julian continues to forge his way across Europe, Nato is finding out what spiritual life survives beneath the snow…
Well - winter is here and, as happens every year at this time, the chilled-out town of Jindabyne, NSW, is getting hectic with young people piling in from all around Australia and the globe. They come for one common purpose " the white powder that falls from the sky! They come to work long hours, get paid little, live in fairly cramped conditions and, hopefully get a ski or board in every now and then!
A universal culture seems to enthuse ski towns all over the planet; a culture where the "virtues" of heavy drinking, pill-popping, and one night stands reign supreme. Within it a relationship with the living God - the God who made the snow that brings everyone together - seems to be far from most people's minds. However, things in Jindabyne and the nearby resort towns of Perisher Blue and Thredbo have begun to change.
There has been a more formal or traditional style of ministry right on the mountain for more than three decades. However, about seven years ago a group of local believers saw there was a need for followers of this current generation who form part of the annual snow pilgrimage to be supported and nurtured in their faith amidst a culture that rejects it. As well as that, the group saw the imminent need for young people coming to the area to come to know the saving grace of Jesus Christ. Thus the ‘House of the Snow God’ was born in 2000.
The local believers saw a situation similar to that in Acts 17 where the people of Athens worshiped an ‘unknown god’. In Perisher, Mel Kroenert (one of the founders of the "House of the Snow God) noted, "The guys that come to work here worship, and base their lives around the mountain, and the white stuff that falls from the sky, but are unaware of the God behind this amazing part of creation". Just as Paul sought to reveal the power of the one true God to the Athenians so the local believers hoped the House of the Snow God, and the weekly meeting it held, might be used for that same revelation.
In 2005, the House of the Snow God underwent a name change and is now known as Perisher Alpine Chapel (PAC). The group at Perisher has been supporting seasonal Christians for five seasons now through a lunchtime Sunday service at 12:30pm and midweek Bible Study on Tuesdays for young Christians working for the season. In 2006 PAC looks set to fire up again under the guidance of one of the five Perisher Chaplains, Lucy Johnson - a bubbly young church worker hired by the local Christian crew.
Two seasons ago the good Lord expanded his work in the area with a church similar to PAC beginning in Thredbo. Leading the charge is local Pastor and Thredbo Chaplain Matthew McBurney. Down to earth, jolly and great with people Matt has a heart to see a meeting begin in Thredbo and people come to know the Lord. "The Thredbo church building is a bit pricey to hire at $150 a meeting" he said, "So the Lord has kindly provided us with the local bar, non-operational through the day "The Dragons Lair' free of charge". A church meeting will take place weekly on a Wednesday at midday through out season. "Come and meet God at the Dragons Lair” laughs Matthew McBurney.
Fresh this season are plans for a mid-week hook up in Jindabyne aimed at providing an alternative to a wild Wednesday on the town. Wednesday is pay-day for mountain staff and there is a strong culture of blowing a whole pay cheque on a ‘big night out’. "At the moment if you want to socialize there is not a whole lot of alternative to going out and getting smashed," says Lucy Johnson. "We aim to provide that alternative - a study, a big pasta cook up and just chilling out together."
The Chapel meeting at Perisher saw some of its first fruits last season when Max, a seasonal worker from Wollongong came to put his faith in Jesus after his relationship with another seasonal worker brought him in from the cold. Max is back again this season and keen to be involved in the work of the chapel, seeing it as an important - even vital " ministry. “Its hard for believers here” he says “There is just so much temptation - there is really no middle ground - to stay solid in the faith - we have to hook up.”
Look out for updates on how the gatherings here are going on the Snow Report @ Sydneyanglicans.net. Throughout the season we would love it if you could please remember the work going on here in your prayers.
To get involved contact Lucy Johnson on 0408 886 773 or Matthew McBurney on 0414 820 603.
Nato
Sydneyanglicans.net Snow Reports will be posted mid-week as part of Insight so you can plan your participation this ski season
