Youth learn ministry, evangelisation skills

THE Asia-Pacific School of Evangelisation (APSE) and Catholic Schools Youth Ministry Australia (CSYMA) joined forces to conduct the Youth Ministry Equipping School from February 24-28 in Canberra.

Held at the St John Paul II Centre in Narrabundah, the school attracted about 80 participants from around Australia, as well as some from Papua New Guinea. The event’s aim was to train leaders in youth ministry and give them the skills to evangelise.

Each day of the school began with Eucharistic Adoration and Mass, before participants attended lectures and seminars examining topics such as youth ministry skills, prayer, leadership, and cross-cultural mission training.

School coordinator Sr Therese Mills MGL said the enthusiasm of the participants was a measure of the event’s success.

Participants at the recent Youth Ministry Equipping School held in Canberra. The four-day course was run jointly by the Asia-Pacific School of Evangelisation and Catholic Schools Youth Ministry Australia. PHOTO: SUPPLIED

Participants at the recent Youth Ministry Equipping School held in Canberra. The four-day course was run jointly by the Asia-Pacific School of Evangelisation and Catholic Schools Youth Ministry Australia. PHOTO: SUPPLIED

“It was exciting to see so many young people come together, to want to be equipped for the work of evangelisation and youth ministry and then go back into their workplace or ministry on fire for mission,” she said.

One of the participants at the school, Peter Doherty, a leader in the Disciples of Jesus youth ministry, said it was an enjoyable experience and one that he would recommend to anyone considering mission work or youth ministry.

“I was impressed at everyone’s genuineness and level of faith formation, whether they were school leavers or older,” he said. “The content of the course was spot on.”

After completing the four-day course, participants have the opportunity to join several short mission trips throughout the year. APSE will lead mission teams travelling to Papua New Guinea and Fiji; CSYMA will take a team to Uganda, and other teams with travel to India and Townsville with the Missionaries of God’s Love Sisters.

The Asia Pacific School of Evangelisation is an outreach of the Disciples of Jesus Community. For more information about the school and missions, visit www. apse.net.au.