With NSW's largest high school in its parish, Cherrybrook is taking the opportunity to reach youth for Christ.
The first thing that stands out about Cherrybrook is its high percentage of youth " they make up 20 per cent of the total population.
The area is dominated by families with children of school age, and with the largest state school in NSW nearby " Cherrybrook Technology High School has 1800 students " youth ministry is an obvious focus for the local church.
However, Cherrybrook Anglican Church's new assistant minister and youth worker, the Rev Dan Wu says the church has a long way to go to effectively reach the suburb.
"While the Hills area is often considered "Bible-Belt' country, the fact that 25 of 1800 students attend the lunchtime Christian group, JIST, indicates that there is a lot more work to be done," he says.
Young people in Cherrybrook seek the same things as kids anywhere else " identity, purpose, significance, acceptance and fun.
"In an affluent area like Cherrybrook, this can ironically play itself out in a life dominated by distraction and obsessed with the trivial. It can be hard to convince a high-schooler in that context that it's worth spending one of their lunchtimes learning about Jesus. The challenge is to set forth this truth plainly in a way that engages them," Dan says.
Dan is responsible for leading the 6pm evening congregation which is attended by around 30 people, and the Friday night youth group, CACTUS, which has about 25 members He says the youth and young adult stages of life are important and formative periods for most people.
"For me, university was a key time of growth and maturity in Christian understanding, so the age group holds a special place in my heart," he says.
"Youth are attempting to discover their identity and place in the world, while young adults are making big decisions that will affect the course of their lives. It's always a joy to see "the lights go on' in a young person's mind, or to see someone come to realise what is means for Jesus to be Lord in a life-changing way."
Cherrybrook plant gives growth
The senior minister of Cherrybrook Anglican Church, the Rev Gavin Poole is thankful for the church's growth since it was planted ten years ago.
"We now have an average of 140 people in attendance each week and are growing by approximately 20 per cent per annum."
"We have moved from a church plant and are now concentrating on becoming a mature church. A church plant needs to be focused and minimalist but as a church matures, it broadens its focus and reaches out to all parts of the community. It is no longer the plant but the planter, no longer the receiver but the giver."
Gavin says the evening congregation is proof that growth is a work of God, but can be slow.
"To be honest, the small congregation of 30 people struggles to do everything that we want to do. Growth has been slow. It has needed new impetus and a shot in the arm. Dan has been able to bring this," Gavin says.
