Equipping generations to carry the lamp of God's love

Equipping generations to carry the lamp of God’s love

When Ruth’s mum first became an SU ministry volunteer, little did she know the multiplying impact it would have on future generations.

Fast forward to today and Ruth is carrying on her mum’s legacy, volunteering on missions and helping the next generation experience God’s love and Good News!

“Mum had done Beach Missions many years ago at Barwon Heads, and I knew I wanted to do something similar. I just didn’t know how to talk to people about God,” recalls Ruth.

Thanks to faithful friends like you, Ruth has been able to access opportunities through SU to grow in her faith and become equipped to support other young people wanting to explore those bigger questions in life around faith, meaning and purpose.

When an internship opportunity came up at SU’s Camp Coolamatong, it turned out to be the perfect place for Ruth to spread her wings and grow in her faith. Camp Coolamatong has been running year-round camps and internships in east Victoria for over 50 years, and Ruth was really excited for the chance to sign up for a one-year internship.

SUFM (SU Family Mission) projects have been running in Victoria for decades.
Here’s a shot from the early 2000s (around the time Ruth’s mum was involved)

“This internship has shown me how much I like teaching kids. It’s a potential stepping stone to my calling,” says Ruth.

“God’s love has really solidified my faith. It’s challenged me to think about my own reasons for following Christ and what he’s done in my own life.”

Through the internship, Ruth has grown in her leadership skills, running activities, planning programs and leading outdoor activities like canoeing, climbing, archery and hiking. She’s also been equipped to walk alongside the next generation and help them experience God’s love – though at times it has been stretching.

“At first I had lots of doubts about my ability to lead a group. I was faced with a lot of growth in a short amount of time. But because of this, I’ve grown stronger in my relationship with God, and am learning to surrender and rely fully on him,” says Ruth.

“Looking back on where I started to where I am now, I feel like I’ve really grown. This internship has been such a great opportunity to devote a whole year to God, learn and read the Bible, and be in a Christian environment.”

The best part about Ruth’s story is that her story is only possible because of the seeds planted years ago by pioneers like her mum, and faithful supporters like you whose prayers and financial support continue to give opportunities for our young people to discover life and find their place in God’s big story.

“When this Coolamatong internship came up, I knew it was where God wanted me to be,” says Ruth.

Thanks to your support, young people like Ruth are given opportunities to grow in their faith and be trained and equipped to help future generations experience God’s love and Good News. Thank you!

53/65

Equipping generations to carry the lamp of God’s love

Equipping generations to carry the lamp of God’s love

Share

More blog Posts

Mentoring Matters: 5 keys to help your teens thrive

Why do I celebrate NAIDOC Week?

‘Crazy’ Hair Supporting Food Bank at Moe South Street in Victoria

SUPA Summa Fun at Mannum (River Mission) in South Australia

Grace is riding the waves of life

You’re helping Jade find her sunshine again

Young people discover life at Camp Odyssey

Showing God’s love to children with disabilities

How your support made a splash in Lily’s life

Meet Joe Mullins – the 102-year-old SU Supporter

Lizzie finds her answers in the Bible on camp

Isabelle discovers a different story – a story of God’s love

Celebrating YOU – our amazing supporters

Innovation and connection in the Bush

Tyson dips his toes into the waters of faith

Josiah’s career change to work for Eternity

Liam discovers God’s love through LEGO

Fun, fellowship and faith at Melrose

Your support turned Marie’s life around

Equipping local churches in Darwin

Hostility becomes curiosity at Turner Family Festival Mission

Keeping the faith

Scripture transforms Evie’s anger to hope

You helped Jess discover Jesus at Merry Beach

Easter Campers Know Jesus

Chaplain and church connect for family in need

Everyone belongs at Champions’ Club

You helped Jamie and Tom overcome!

Volunteers get creative to bless Eyre kids

Fun for the whole family at Beach Mission

Three keys we should give our young women

Here’s what’s happening across SU Global

Small moments matter @ DCYPHER

SU interns Jaz and Eve grow skills and build community

Unifying young Christians at SYG

SUPA ministries in Yorke are multiplying

Aimee discovered life through SRE

Equipped to serve

SRE builds foundations that last a lifetime

Chace sees God’s love in action on camp

Church collab that’s ‘Out of this World’

You are empowering young Christians

The heart & soul of WA’s SU bookshop

Why I was wrong about Family Camp

Training equips Kodan to follow his calling

Isla experiences Jesus at camp

No hiding from God’s love at SUPA and Beyond

You’re helping Levi empower tomorrow’s young men

Nadia encounters Jesus at SUPA Club

Jake discovers life through mateship, mud and mission

SU Coola interns serve community in the NT

Serena’s beliefs shaken in Augusta

God softens the hardest hearts at Camp v Wild

Lions, tigers and bible stories – oh my!

You equipped Ashley to LEAD

Chaplaincy is back at Brindabella

Taylor’s prayer moves Chappy

Your support is connecting dads with their sons

Stephanie’s story

Izzy’s story

Evangeline’s story

Living in two worlds: my reflections on Australia Day

Without you, there is no SU

Radical hospitality