Transforming walks in Launnie
Earlier this year SU Australia launched a new Boots N’ All Family Walks ministry in partnership with Newstead Baptist Church in Launceston to bring children, young people and families together, and see lives transformed as they grow closer to the Lord, says Newstead Pastor Dan Hutchison.
“We run family friendly walks on a Sunday every other month from 2-4pm. It’s an opportunity to explore the area, and have meaningful conversations with people from all backgrounds. The relaxed format has really resonated with people,” says Dan.
Originally from Wynyard in Tasmania’s north west, Dan moved to Hobart to study Natural Environment and Wilderness Studies at university with the hopes of becoming a park ranger.
“That was the plan, but you don’t really get to share your faith in that space, and God had other ideas for me. I stepped into youth ministry after finishing my honours in mining restoration, but I always felt God calling me back to a connection with the outdoors and ministry,” he says.
After learning about SU Australia’s Boots N’ All program, Dan was keen to start something similar in Hobart. But plans soon changed when he felt called to pastor at Newstead Baptist.
“We’ve got a great little church community here with about 60 all together. One of our main drivers has been that we want to be an intergenerational church.
“This is not just to bring in families, but to give opportunities for our older members to share their wisdom and life experience with the younger generation. And to see our younger generation helping our older members in this current environment with all the technology on offer,” says Dan.
After five walks already this year, the SU Family Friendly Walks are drawing in people and families from different backgrounds and beliefs, with as many as 24 people taking part.
“We start with an acknowledgement of country, and then pose an ice-breaker question to discuss as we walk. This gives opportunities for Christians in the group to share their testimonies with those who don’t come from a faith background,” he says.
A highlight for Dan was being able to connect with an atheist friend on one of the recent walks.
“It was encouraging to see him initiate the conversation, which meant I could share about my faith, and how it interconnected with the ice-breaker question,” he says.
Dan is excited to see this new ministry grow and develop, and impact his local community. And as a busy pastor and father of four children, he is grateful to be partnering with SU.
“SU has been great in communicating about the event. They’re very thorough on all the safety aspects we need to be aware of, ensuring our volunteer assessment is done. All the work that SU does in the background gives us the confidence to go out there and ensure we’re offering a safe space for families,” says Dan.
Dan has a big heart for his church and his community, which is clear when you hear him speak of his vision for this ministry.
“We want these walks to be about connection to God, to one another, and to the land we walk on. We want people to experience transformational growth, that as we talk, and share life together we will learn from one another.
“If there’s a family that’s struggling, or someone who needs a sense of hope, that we can help be a pathway for people to connect, and to see lives transformed, and people moving towards worshipping and serving the Lord,” he says.
Thank you for partnering with SU through your involvement, prayers and support. To see the schedule of Family Friendly walks coming up in Tasmania, click here.