Nervous. Excited. Hyped. Pumped. Terrified. Super keen.
This is how the 2025 year 13 students describe their feelings about their upcoming Fiji trip. For the sixteenth time, Year 13 are making the month long trip to Fiji to partner with them in ministry and service. Leaving on the 3rd July, this will be an opportunity for the current school-leavers to explore ministry outside of their context, and comfort zone, and for the partnership between Youthworks and the Fijian church to strengthen and deepen as they work together for the gospel.
Over 700 supporters attended the Fiji launch night in May, completely filling the church building at Menai. It was a night of prayer, praise and an offering of support to them as they began final preparations for the upcoming trip.
The Rev Steve Carlisle, Director of Year 13, is excited to lead another Fiji trip, as it’s always a time of great growth in character for the young people.
“I am praying that they might live in Fiji with a deep love for others which shows itself in a desire to ‘be all things to all people’,” he says.
“The students have been trained to respect and fit in with the culture, and not appear as tourists in the local environments they will be in.”
While in Fiji, the students will travel to the Coral Coast, south of the main island Viti Levu. They will be based around the Navua area, visiting churches and schools, and spending time in different villages with local churches. Some students will be helping run services, others will be leading children’s and youth ministry, while others will be visiting high schools to assist with Scripture teaching.
Poppy Black from St Michael’s Wollongong has been busy preparing Bible talks for her trip. “I’m going to a settlement called Tandevo, where I’ll be giving a kids talk at Sunday service as well as getting involved in village life. I’m also writing a Scripture talk for the high school in Nasikawa. I know God’s going to do a lot of work there, and I’m excited to see that.”
Past student Cameron Smythe knows exactly what it’s like to be in the shoes of those about to go, and how their lives will be changed.. “We had done lots of preparation and we were really keen to get into it. It did not disappoint. One of my favourite memories was preaching at a youth night. There were about 300 youth aged people there, and I got to see God’s grace working through them.”
Mr Carlisle hopes that the trip deepens their theological understanding and convictions. “I am praying that they would be a light to all they meet, sharing Jesus with believer and unbeliever alike, and as a result that they would grow in their confidence in the power of the gospel to change and shape lives. I am praying that they would grow in prayerful dependence on God as they are challenged to serve him away from home, for a long period of time and in a new context. I pray they would learn to trust God amidst new and different challenges in a context unfamiliar to them.”
What are students up to in Fiji and how can we pray for them?
Aidan Cho: Pray for health and safety, good conversations and the right attitude,
Rachel Barbey: I would love some prayer for maintaining my confidence in the gospel and sharing my faith.
Mikaela Gough: I’d really appreciate it if people could pray for health and safety for all of us.
Ryan Nelson: This year will be my first time doing a sermon in Fiji, it’ll be my first time doing one ever, so pray that God would be able to work through me to write a really good sermon so the Fijians can enjoy it.
Hamish Tong: I’m pretty excited, I have a bit of nerves, going overseas for a month is a long time, but I’m excited to go serve God and his kingdom over there, sharing the gospel.
Elijah Chapman: I’ll be serving within the church and giving a sermon.
Poppy Black: Pray for the kid’s talks and scripture talk.
Mackenzie Reid: I’m serving in the youth team and doing some music. I’m pretty nervous, but excited to do ministry and learn from the Fijians.
Isaac Lanham: Keen to give a sermon at church and have conversations afterwards.
