Learning God at Youthworks

Rev Dr Peter Jensen is a Sessional Lecturer at Youthworks College

One of the blessings which the Lord has given me over the years is the experience of travelling to many countries in the global south and having fellowship with Christian brothers and sisters.

Often, I have felt quite humbled by their enthusiasm and their deep devotion to Christ. But, at the same time, they often lack the opportunity to study the Bible deeply and so to grow in the knowledge of God’s word. They would love to do so, but the facilities for study are not at hand. Even pastors of congregations often have little formal training.

How different is our situation. Our pastors are carefully trained in the knowledge of the word of God. Our youth have wonderful camps to attend as well as being well taught in churches. And right here in Sydney we have the facilities for study and for training in ministry.

Youthworks College plays a vital role in this. Its focus is on giving those who minister to and train youth and children, whether in churches or in schools, the deeper knowledge of God through his word, which is essential for the task.

The college exists because of the strategic understanding that we must give careful attention to young people, winning them for Christ and building them up in him. My experience as a teenager shaped my whole life and I am so grateful for those who cared for me and mentored me.

We cannot take a college like this for granted. Unfortunately, in many places over the years, colleges which started well have fallen into the trap of doubting God’s word, taking the focus away from knowing God and being equipped to make him known and instead turning to the things of this world.

At Youthworks College you can be sure that the teachers are all committed to the Bible as the infallible word of God and to the gospel of Jesus Christ being the centre point of the Biblical teaching. The thing which makes a seminary good is first of all the faithfulness of the teachers.  The facilities don’t really matter as much at all. After all, Jesus did not own a wonderful building!

Another thing which is really important is fellowship.

Year after year, when I have taught Christian Doctrine at Youthworks College, the class gathers mostly as a group of strangers. Within a few weeks they have got to know each other. By the end of the year, I have trouble stopping them from talking to each other so that we can begin the class!

The way we grow in our knowledge of the Lord involves fellowship. We learn from the teacher, that is true. We learn from the books we read, that is true. But we also learn from each other. It is the question that another person asks in class, or their challenge of what the teacher is saying, or the observation they make which may well teach us as much as we learn from the teacher at a given moment.

Furthermore, we play games together, we mission together, we eat and drink coffee together. All these things influence us profoundly. Often, they lead to life-long friendships.

This year, for example, some members of my class at Moore College who met in 1966 (yes, 60 years ago!) gathered to spend a day together during CMS Summer School.  We have kept in touch all these years.

At Youthworks College we also pray together. Here is fellowship indeed as we share prayer points and speak to the Lord about each other’s needs.

Just as students pray together, the college staff also gather for prayer. The faculty and staff are united in their love for Christ, their trust in the word of God, their care for the students and for one another.

Is Youthworks College a good option for those interested in teaching children and youth?

Yes!