Most Sydney Anglicans probably know a teenager who is wondering what to do with their lives. In the past, teenagers went straight from school to a trade or a degree. Today, Christian teenagers have the option of trying something new, seeing another part of the world and building up their Christian faith.
Tim Deutscher is one teenager who took up this option, as part of Anglican Youthworks' first Year 13 program.
"I'm so glad I did what I did. I think it was so good because it allowed me to mature spiritually in a nurtured environment."
Filling the gap?
In the past two years, Anglican Youthworks and Church Army have both developed programs designed for those in their first year out of high school.
The Youthworks program involves two days of live-in study for a Year 13 Diploma of Theology and three days of ministry in a church or school. 16 students did the program last year, and 26 are involved this year.
The year also includes a one-month mission trip to Africa, where students take part in community development projects and share the gospel through testimonies.
Tim says the year dramatically changed his outlook on life and the Bible.
"I learnt there's more to life than things and money " and I learnt God's bigger than Australia," he says.
"I realised I love studying the Bible " it's good to be learning about something I really care about."
Tim is now working at Youthworks' Waterslea conference site as a trainee outdoor training instructor.
"I feel a bit more at ease about life. I worried about things a lot but I just feel like God's really in control, and I have a lot more self-confidence now " I've developed over the year."
Ruining their lives?
Church Army call their Gap Year as “a life ruined for the ordinary", a real year on the edge.
"We realise this is not going to be for the faint-hearted," says National Director, Tim Scheuer.
"Some think we're irresponsible and we've lost the plot " but we're expecting that young people are capable of a whole lot under God."
In Church Army's program, students study for 12 weeks at the Church Army National Centre at Lawson, and then do an internship overseas or at a local mission base within Australia, with people on the edge " street kids or people struggling with addictions.
"We're looking for young people who are serious about following Jesus," he says. "We hope the kids won't be satisfied just to keep a pew warm."
Ben Carter did the Church Army's Gap Year last year, and worked with recovering drug and alcohol addicts in Branson, Missouri.
"Moving away from home and going overseas forced me to grow up," he says.
"And it opens up your eyes a lot to how much other people do suffer," he says. "I wanted to know how to relate and build up a friendship with these people so I could hopefully lead them to Christ."
The year was strenuous and challenging, but Ben says he has no regrets.
"When you come out of it, it's definitely worth every second - the harder you work, the greater the reward at the end."
Both Jodie and Tim see their programs as valuable time for young people to discover "who they are' " and think about their life and career.
"We want to help young people to discover their giftedness and talent, and give them the framework to help them make decisions," says Tim.
"I want students to tell me why they shouldn't do Year 13 " there's never a better time in life when you can take a year out to think about how to be a Christian in every area," says Jodie.
Find out more about Year 13 at Youthworks and Church Army’s Gap Year.
