Youthworks has partnered with MTS to provide training for youth and children's ministry from 2009.

Youthworks' director of camping ministries, the Rev Jodie McNeill announced the Outdoor Ministry Apprenticeship program at the Stanwell Tops Challenge Conference.

"Each year, Youthworks ministers the gospel to around 20,000 youth and children through outdoor ministry. The partnership simply combines this experience with MTS' experience in developing Christian character, Christian conviction and competence in Christian ministry,” he says.

Outdoor ministry is a relatively young field but there is growing recognition of its strategic importance in connecting with children and youth.

"When a student is waiting to descend a cliff during abseiling, walking to the archery range, or getting ready to jump in a canoe, the opportunities for gospel discussions abound. Since the outdoor ministers are the ones running the camp, they gain the authority and respect of the students in a surprisingly short amount of time. And in the same way the students obey their instructions about safe outdoor recreation, they also listen carefully to what they say about God,” Mr McNeill says.

The gospel outdoors

There is particular interest in using the outdoors as a platform for ministry to children and youth from countries where evangelism to young people is restricted.

Youthworks has even trained a number of international camping ministers with a view to sending them back to serve in their home countries, including India and Kenya.

Anthony Chuck, an outdoor minister at Port Hacking has personally seen God work through camps.

"On Surfside (a Youthworks-run holiday camp) this year, we had two kids become Christians. One boy had been coming for years but he realised he wasn't following Jesus after chatting to a leader over the bonfire. He had been a bit of a troublemaker but after he committed himself to Christ, he changed completely. He thought through things a lot more even while the other boys were causing trouble," Mr Chuck says.

After two years, a typical graduate of the Outdoor Ministry Apprenticeship will study a Diploma or Advanced Diploma of Theology at Youthworks College, combining two days each week of face-to-face theological training with three days per week as a student minister in the outdoor programs.

The four-year process is designed to offer the best combination of training in outdoor recreation, ministry and theology as a foundation for a lifetime of ministry.