When you invest in Youthworks, you do more than train SRE teachers – you multiply eternal impact for children and young people across NSW.

Every new, well-equipped SRE teacher means more students encountering the truth of Jesus, having their questions answered, and beginning journeys of lifelong faith.

The new resource, What Now?, written by Youth Minister Matt Shannon, was inspired by his years of witnessing young lives begin their journeys with Jesus.

Too often, there’s plenty of excitement at the point of decision, but not always a clear path for what comes next. Matt’s desire is to see new believers equipped, encouraged, and grounded in the gospel for a lifetime of following Jesus.

With your support, Youthworks equips ministry advisors like Adam Jolliffe to provide vital encouragement, practical ideas, and prayerful support. This allows leaders like Linda Stephens, Children’s Minister at St Paul’s Anglican Castle Hill, to creatively reach and disciple young people, ensuring your church is a welcoming, nurturing place for every child.

Because of your partnership, twice as many children and teenagers across Western Sydney have a chance to encounter the hope and truth of Jesus in their schools and churches – even for the very first time.

On 30 November, over 20 donors and friends gathered to celebrate the opening of the First Light Boatshed — a newly restored space for Bible study, prayer and quiet reflection at Port Hacking.

The vision to repurpose the old Rathane boatshed was championed by John Cross, Don Robertson and Andrew Hudson, with support from long-time camping friends.

Exciting news! 2026 marks Year 13’s biggest year ever, with over 106 students applying for the program, stepping up to be equipped as confident, servant-hearted leaders in their churches and communities.

Year 13 is growing the next generation of disciple-making disciples who will strengthen and multiply ministry for years to come.

Beginning with 13 campers in 2021, LIT Tasmania has now grown to 51 in 2025, with LIT camps now taking place in the north and south of the state.

Many churches in Tasmania are small or based in rural areas, where resources are limited and opportunities for training are rare. For these teens, your support is truly life-changing.

Imagine it: each year for the next five years, five per cent more people coming to faith in Jesus and joining your church.

Can you imagine the ripple of revival across your community?

Right now, youth and children’s ministry is at the heart of God’s extraordinary work in Sydney, the Illawarra and beyond.

Your support is making Youthworks Getaways possible — unique experiences that take Youthworks’ expertise in outdoor education and adventure and use it to help families grow closer to each other and closer to God.

Your generosity is shaping the future of ministry by training the next generation of gospel leaders through Youthworks College. Every student you help equip is another worker sent out to disciple young people for Jesus — here in Australia and around the world.

Your generosity is not only making it possible for children to learn about their own faith through Special Religious Education (SRE) — but is also opening doors for teachers and families to engage with life’s big questions from the Bible.  

By God’s grace and with your prayerful support, Youthworks College recently celebrated 25 years of training gospel workers who are now serving across Australia and around the world — faithfully guiding and leading young people to follow Jesus.

When God blessed her with resources later in life, Megan knew she wanted to invest them in helping more young people know Jesus through camps. 

“The family home had been my legacy and those campsites had such a huge legacy … so it was important for me to help them to continue that ministry." 

Leaders in Training (LIT) equips young believers with the skills and confidence to lead — and this year LIT Melbourne was off to a flying start. Your generosity empowers these young leaders to stand for Christ in challenging environments, share God’s Word, and grow as confident servants of the gospel.

At Port Hacking, three longtime friends of Youthworks noticed that the Rathane boatshed had fallen into disrepair. Built in the 1920s, and cherished by Camp Howard campers for decades, they saw its potential for future generations.

Thanks to your generosity, Year 13 students are not only learning to share the good news — they’re doing it in Fiji, where the gospel is transforming communities.

“Sometimes teaching SRE feels like mining in a dark mine … but then you get some awesome diamonds.” - Jaedon Scott, Special Religious Education (SRE) teacher at Oak Flats High School.

With your help, Jaedon’s SRE class has become a safe place where students can ask their questions about faith and grow deeper in their understanding of God.

Who knew a gap year could last 20 years? Thankfully, the Year 13 Christian gap year has – and that’s worth celebrating! Because of generous friends like you, more than 1,000 school leavers have experienced a year of deep Bible teaching, service and mission with Year 13.

As you read through this newsletter, I hope you see the wonderful ways your generosity is shaping young lives for eternity.

Because you invest in SRE, young people like those at Oak Flats High School are discovering Jesus – often for the very first time.

Thanks to your support, more than 2,000 young people recently gathered in Wollongong for the Hope for the Illawarra youth event – a night full of worship, connection, and gospel hope from the speaker, Dave Jensen.