Not even a cyclone could stop this ministry training day in Darwin

8 March 2025, the date set for the NT Childrens and Youth Ministry Day in Darwin. Also the day Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred crossed the mainland and brought chaotic winds and flooding rain to Queensland and Northern NSW.

One of the speakers for the day, Kylie, was set to fly in from NSW. When the cyclone put an end to this plan, the Training Day steering team rallied and managed to cover each of the sessions on the day. Regional Director, Christy Marhin shared:

“It was a real exercise in how we have to pivot in youth ministry and pull stuff out of the hat at times and just make do with what we have,” says Christy.

The pivot paid off. Prayers were answered with an overwhelmingly successful day.

“We had about 50 people there, representing about eight or nine different churches in Darwin,” says Christy.

“[This included] a really strong representation from multicultural churches … including Darwin Chinese Church and Darwin Multicultural Church.”

The day began with a main input session in the morning followed by a choice of electives in the afternoon, including sessions focusing on mentoring, building teams, behaviour management and stakeholder engagement, as well as Youth and Kids Ministry 101 sessions to help those who are new to get started.

While other training days facilitated by SU Australia in the Northern Territory more broadly focus on SU staff and volunteers, this day is really designed for local church volunteers.

“It’s very much a Church Ministry equipping day. People from local churches come to be equipped for their own Children’s and Youth Ministry programs,” says Christy.

Relationship with the local church is so important in all we do at SU Australia, and serving in this way is always a joy that continues to give back.

“Because it’s not just our work, it’s the work of the Church,” says Christy.

“[After our camps] we rely on the local church to continue the discipleship journey with kids…. We’re not necessarily best placed to do that. But that’s the work of the local church.”

The theme of the day was Being Seen.

“[It was] about God seeing each of us and how we are important to him, and how children and young people matter to God and can be seen by him.”

“As God often does, that theme flowed quite clearly through the sessions. For example, in the Behaviour Management session … it was really about how do we create belonging in our program so that kids feel safe? How do we create space for them to feel safe and seen, and that they belong?” reflects Christy.

Thank you for ‘seeing’ the children and young people of the NT and across our nation as God sees them, and for loving them through your prayers and support.

Please pray for continued collaboration with local churches, and that the learning that took place at the NT Children’s and Youth Ministry Training Day continues to flow out in loving action in the NT.