Two-way stream of encouragement at River Conventions

At the invitation of Uncle Ike (Isaac Gordon), SU has once more participated in the NW NSW River Conventions, a two-week travelling Christian convention visiting remote communities like Weilmoringle, Goodooga and Lightning Ridge.

Under the guidance of area FDM Tom Magill and long-standing SRE teacher Lisa Smith, a group of eager senior school students from the Central Coast set out for twelve days of travel and service across three isolated towns, helping to run the convention’s children’s program.

While the hands behind the puppets, the songs and the games belonged to the teens, the encouragement and learning definitely flowed both ways.

“The team got an idea of what it is like to live in a more remote area or amongst an Indigenous community,” says Tom.

It was the overarching connection in Christ, however, that proved most powerful.

“It’s a way of blessing those Christians in remote communities where there are no services, there are no ministers, there are very few people to meet with even if you wanted to have a Bible study, so this is one way of taking resources to them and blessing a community,” Tom notes.

Many of the students serving with the team this year also participated last year.

“It’s great for our young people because it’s a time to exercise their gifts and abilities in serving these kids from the bush but also building their own independence and leadership skills….it shows them a world outside their own,” reflects Tom.