Young people from across the North New South Wales (NNSW) and South Queensland (SQC) Conferences recently participated in the first ever Youth Rush Australia—a new initiative funded by the Literature Ministry Committee and held for the first time this summer.
During two weeks in Newcastle (NSW), and four weeks in Toowoomba (Qld), the young evangelists went door to door offering Christian literature, prayer, and Bible studies; more than 3,300 books were distributed between both programs.
In Toowoomba, four participants who are also students participated in the official Student Literature Evangelism scholarship Program piloted by the Literature Ministry in partnership with Avondale University and the Australian conference.
“Between the four of them, they collected over $A5000 in donations towards their scholarships, so it has been a profitable endeavor for each of them,” said SQC Associate Pastor, Harley Southwell.
In addition to the many books distributed in different homes, the students also prayed with more than 500 people and found many interests in Bible studies.
“This team of young people has really stepped up and become elite literature evangelists. I am very confident that next year we will see an even greater program as the true potential of student literature evangelists begins to be tapped into in our Conference,” said Pastor Southwell.
In Newcastle, the two-week program focused on training during the first week. During the second week, the 22 participants went door to door offering literature and prayers and making contacts for further follow-up by the local church.
“Over the course of our two-week program, I saw our young people have incredible encounters with God and be used by Him in powerful ways to bless others in the community. With an army of youth like this, our Church is in good hands,” said NNSW Young Adults Director, Pastor Blair Lemke.
Through visitations, prayers, and distributed books, the young literature evangelists not only brought hope to numerous people, but they themselves also grew spiritually.
“One of the best things you can do for young people, to grow their faith, is to get them involved in front-line mission work, so it was a no-brainer to launch Youth Rush in the NNSW Conference,” said Pastor Lemke.
NNSW participant Lyndell Scheman said the highlight of the program was sharing God’s message with a group of others wanting to do the same.
“I really loved going to Youth Rush. The group setting established at the program helped [us] to inspire and encourage each other in witnessing. I was also really blessed and challenged by some of the morning worships. And I cannot leave out testimony time in the evening, which was so powerful and such a blessing to hear the ways in which the Lord is working,” said Ms. Scheman.
A participant’s parents also expressed their appreciation for the program: “My boy came back changed. I really hope you offer this program again and again as it is so positive for so many reasons!”
This article was originally published on the website of Adventist Record.