This year-long program will take place for the first time in 2023 as a pilot program. The program will be delivered across four terms, as well as attending some denominational camps during the ‘holiday’ periods. It is aimed at recent school leavers (aged 17-19).
Typically a gap year is a one year program intentionally focused on the formation of young adults in the areas of growing faith, personal development, engagement in community, and opportunity in ministry. It gives young people time and space to consider their future choices and how their Christian faith informs the choices they make.
The program will cover Bible & Theology, Ministry Skills, Life Skills and Personal Godliness and will commence on Monday 23 January, 2023.
GAP YEAR DIRECTOR: REV SIMON ALLERY (TOWNSVILLE)
Simon, along with others, oversees the Next Generation Ministries at Willows Presbyterian in Townsville as well as overseeing the 6pm congregation. He has completed a combined Bachelor of Theology and Bachelor of Ministry through Queensland Theological College and is an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church of Queensland. He is also a trained high school teacher.
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR: KATE MITCHELL (BRISBANE)
Kate has worked for Presbyterian Youth & Kids in Queensland since 2012 and also assists with the children’s ministry program at Ann St Presbyterian Church in Brisbane. She has completed a Master of Divinity through Sydney Missionary and Bible College.
More Information
This program will take place in three main areas – online, local church and camps
ONLINE COMPONENT
- PTC MATERIAL (PRODUCED BY MOORE COLLEGE)
During the year, participants will make their way through the content of three PTC units (exams optional – additional cost), one per term, and discuss this material with the group. - ASSIGNED BOOKS
Each term, participants will be assigned two additional books to read, also for group discussion. Participants will be expected to have their own copies of the assigned books (new, second hand or borrowed) - ONLINE DISCUSSION
A weekly Monday afternoon Zoom meeting will take place for 2 hours. This will include reviewing the content covered during the week, as well as life and ministry skills. These will be interactive discussion based sessions. - PASTORAL CARE
Twice a term, participants will have online ‘catch-ups’ to provide pastoral care and mentoring, and to ensure they are managing the content.
If at any point the participant is finding the content ‘too much’, they are able to discuss this with the Program Director
LOCAL CHURCH COMPONENT
- VOLUNTEER PLACEMENT & SUPERVISION
Each participant is expected to volunteer in a ministry[SA1] area/s at their local church for one day a week (or equivalent). This should be done under the supervision of a staff member or ministry coordinator, with support provided by the program director. It is expected that participants would also be attending a regular church service and Bible study.
CAMP COMPONENT
During each ‘holiday’ period, participants will assist with a variety of denominational camps around the state
- NQ Launch Camp
This camp is a leaders-in-training camp for high school students in Grades 10-12. It will be held at Quinola Lakes (1.5 hours from Cairns). - SQ Launch Camp
This camp is a leaders-in-training camp for high school students in Grades 10-12. It will be held at Numinbah Valley (1hr from Gold Coast, 1.5hrs from Brisbane). - NQ Xtreme during September School Holidays
Participants will attend NQ Xtreme Holiday Camp - (TBC) Early December timing
Beyond these commitments, participants have flexibility in how to structure their time during the week.
As this is a pilot program in 2023, costs will be limited as participants will be helping to establish the program. THERE WILL BE NO UP FRONT COSTS. Any costs will be direct to the participant, and there will be no direct cost to the denomination or churches. However, there will be indirect cost to local charges (time etc.) Participants should allow up to $2000 to cover associated costs other than the program itself. These costs will occur during the year, as opposed to being a lump sum at the start of the year.
Participants are encouraged to have part time work to help cover costs, but this is not a requirement.
CAMPS $1000-1200 depending on camps attended
TRAVEL COSTS $TBA Dependent on location
PTC MATERIAL $60 (exams and hard copy notes extra)
BOOKS $200+ (if new)
Options are available to help anyone facing financial difficulty.
Any church is welcome to participate in this program. It is not intended to be a ministry apprenticeship, and will not result in a ‘qualification’ other than a certificate of completion.
If you are approached to be a local church supervisor, then someone is asking the following of you.
- OVERSIGHT
You will provide supervision for the individual as they participate in 8 hours of ministry involvement (whether one or more ministries). This is mostly to ensure this component is taking place. - MINISTRY SKILLS
This may mean giving opportunity for the participant to use skills they may have learnt during the program or providing different ministry experiences like:Youth or Children’s Ministries
Teaching
RI/Schools Ministry
Aged Care
Pastoral Care
Mercy Ministries - PASTORAL CARE
While those delivering the program will catch up with participants during the course of the program, pastoral care will primarily come from the local church. The program directors will catch up with you at various points about how the participant is going.
For more information please contact Kate Mitchell or Simon Allery