Investing in the Next Generation
- Missions Team
- 2 days ago
- 9 min read
Planting Seeds of Faith
Scripture and Workers in Schools
There is a common perception that Religious Education (Scripture lessons in schools) is at best struggling, or at worst, non-existent. This is far from true.
Opt-in rates—where parents allow their children to participate—are increasing. “It’s on the rise. Parents are interested.” Adrian, from Love Out Loud says. “It’s not a struggle or a battlefield, it’s an opportunity!”
Love Out Loud provides Scripture curriculum and training to make it easier for teachers to step in and to reach more children where teachers are limited. They have created 56 videos so far and more are on the way.
“One day we looked at the story of the four friends who got their mate to Jesus through the roof,” Adrian shares. “I asked, ‘what did you learn about Jesus listening to that story?’ and one little girl raised her hand and said, ‘Jesus has got room for all of us.’ I was later told that this student's parents had initially opted out but she’d nagged them until they opted in.”
“The opportunity for kids to hear about Jesus as more than a swear word is really valuable to me. You’re planting long-term seeds that have great potential to grow later on,” says Adam, SRE Coordinator.
In our region there is currently a need for at least 10 additional teachers to respond to the invitations from schools. Two of our Kids and Youth leaders will begin teaching this year, joining others from LifeHouse already serving in this space.
Adrian’s encouragement is to:
“Come and see! It’s not so hard. You don’t have to be thrown in on your own.”
Adam, who has been teaching Scripture for 15 years, says:
“It’s done more for my personal growth than anything else. Every year God shows up and gives you something fresh.”
The light of Jesus is also being carried into local schools across the Coffs Coast, by School Chaplains.
Primary School Chaplain, Michelle shares:
“Teachers carry a heavy load and can’t always stop to uncover what’s beneath the surface. That’s where chaplains can play a vital role—creating space to listen, understand, and respond to the small but significant things that can make all the difference in a child’s day.”
Unlocking Confidence and Creativity
LHCA
LifeHouse Creative Arts (LHCA) gives students the opportunity to explore creative expression and grow into their potential, in a fun, non-competitive, nurturing environment.
Across 2025, there were 15 teachers offering 12 different classes with 391 enrolments—a majority of students coming from the broader community.
“LHCA Rock School has created a unique and encouraging environment where students feel safe to grow, take risks, and enjoy the journey,” Cie, who leads LHCA, shares. “It’s not just about music, it’s about connection. Friendships form and students support one another.” In the first quarter of 2026, students aged 9 to 17 years performed at a local hospitality venue. They were warmly received by staff and locals and they’ve been invited back to do it again!
Through a collaboration with Ability & Beyond, LCHA offers African drumming classes for teenagers and young men with learning differences. At the start of 2026, one young man—who typically has extreme difficulty in groups—was reminding his family, “Beats starts tomorrow!”
As many families face ongoing financial pressure, extracurricular activities are often the first to go. We were able to sponsor 18 students for a term of LHCA, providing not just access to classes, but growth, encouragement, and belonging.
"One of my favourite things is watching children have a go, stepping into something new and choosing not to give up. They walk into the classroom nervous and unsure. Then comes the challenge: frustration, repetition, the temptation to quit. And then… it happens. The joy on their faces when they realise, “I can do this, I just did it!”". Confidence grows before your eyes. Friendships form and a sense of community is built. What began with nerves becomes courage, connection, and laughter. There is nothing quite like watching a child realise they are capable. — Cie, LHCA Leader
A Generation Responding
Youth Alive NSW
Youth Alive NSW ‘count people because people count’ and in 2025, 10,290 young people were presented with the Gospel, they saw 1,633 faith commitments, gave out 1,200 Bibles, and trained 795 leaders.
Ensuring that young people in regional areas aren’t missing out, the team pioneered three new regional rallies which saw over 100 teenagers commit their lives to Christ. This was part of the huge growth in regional rallies, which increased by 1,000 attendees to a total of over 6,000.
Youth Alive represents a united effort from churches consistently investing in young people. The team were encouraged by the participation of 240 churches in 2025, 75 more than the year before.
Over 12 denominations were represented at the state gathering ‘All Of Us’, which had almost 4,000 in attendance, with 750 teenagers committing their hearts to Jesus. Each number represents an individual’s story.
“One guy has been coming to youth for over 3.5 years with his sisters and he would often say he never really encountered God like they did. He responded for the first time at All Of Us, it was such a beautiful answer to prayer!” — Generosity Church, Bathurst
Young Leaders in the Making
Deadly Diamonds | Moree Youth
Deadly Diamonds is a youth leadership and discipleship program facilitated by the Salvation Army for 12–18-year-olds in Moree, NSW.
It equips young people from challenging circumstances to become strong, positive leaders and role models. Through mentoring and leadership development, the program is helping transform lives—and ultimately a generation—through the love of Jesus.
The Diamonds help lead a weekly Kids Club, developing leadership and organisational skills as they run activities, games, and sports for younger children. Alongside this, mentoring breakfasts, day trips, and camps create consistent opportunities to build confidence, responsibility, and character.
In 2025, 14 new young people joined Deadly Diamonds and attendance doubled at youth camp, where 6 young people made first-time faith commitments.
Harry’s Leadership Journey
Harry* joined Deadly Diamonds when he was 11, after previously attending Kids Club. Harry has faced significant challenges with his mental health and wellbeing, with periods of self-harm and unhealthy ideation. Deadly Diamonds has been stable and consistent, supporting him to access help, contribute to the kids programs, and pursue healthy outlets like sport that build his capacity to overcome anxiety and depression. Through his mentor's support Harry remains engaged as a role model and leader for those who are just starting out like he did.
*Name has been changed for confidentiality
The impact in young people’s lives is strengthened through partnership between Deadly Diamonds and LifeHouse Moree Youth Ministry.
LifeHouse Moree Youth Leader Michaeli says, “It’s kind of like two worlds colliding; it’s exciting.” She started in the role in 2025 thanks to As You Go funding.
She leads Youth on Friday nights, Youth Connect during Sunday services, and visits the local high school for lunchtime games each Thursday.
Michaeli’s approach sees participation as key, with young people encouraged to get involved in worship, discussion, and leadership.
Michaeli and Salvos team members serve across programs, with a common vision to reach every young person in Moree. Jason, from the Salvos, explains:
“When there are multiple points of connection… mid-week programs and access to a healthy youth ministry with familiar faces, it all ties together… it sticks”.
Combined youth nights each term gather up to 100 young people, many with no prior experience of church.
“You bring people on the fringe in, and they start bringing others in,” Michaeli says.
They’ve seen young people come along through friendships, give their lives to God, be baptised, step into serving, and invite family members to church.
“I’m growing in my leadership journey,” Michaeli shares. “I was so shy growing up, but now I’m preaching and loving it.” She has experienced the challenging stretch of leadership, grown in confidence over time, and learned that “God works in the craziness”.
Raising and Releasing the Generations
As You Go Traineeships
LifeHouse is committed to raising and releasing the next generation into their calling and in 2026, one key expression of this is the addition of Nadia and Sol to the team. Through Traineeships with LifeHouse, they’re gaining practical ministry experience, mentorship, and a formal qualification as they step into leadership roles in kids and youth ministry.
Nadia remembers what it felt like to walk into church when she was younger and not see anyone her age. Now, she’s creating the environment she never had, one where children feel known, safe, and excited to belong.
“It’s so satisfying getting to know the kids,” she says. “Even just the moment a kid says hi, it matters.” Week by week, those moments build into something deeper. Trust and confidence grow. “If I can create memories in kids church where they actually want to be there,” Nadia explains, “then maybe in ten or
fifteen years, they’ll remember church as a good place.”
Her approach is intentional: “It’s more than babysitting,” she says. “It’s creating a space where they want to know God and learn to lead without even realising it.”
That same conviction drives Sol’s journey in youth ministry, though from a different starting point. “I didn’t even want to go to youth group,” he admits. “I had just come to faith and remember hiding up the back thinking, ‘I do believe, but I don’t like being here.’”
What changed wasn’t comfort, it was responsibility. “Once I became a leader, my faith became something I lived, not just something I believed.” Now, Sol helps young people take the same step, from attendance to ownership. “A disciple is someone learning the ways of Jesus,” he says. “My role is to disciple them so they can disciple others.”
“There’s something powerful about this generation,” he adds. “They’re open, hungry, and willing to be real. When that’s nurtured, you see incredible growth.”
For both Nadia and Sol, the impact isn’t always immediate. Some weeks are hard, progress is slow—but they keep showing up with consistency, patience, and purpose.
“Sometimes it’s just one conversation,” Nadia says. “But you know that’s why you were there.”
Their stories reflect the importance of investing in young leaders who don’t just attend church—they become the Church.
Loving People First
Red Frogs
Anita credits Red Frogs and leading a schoolies trip with changing her life, and now she’s leading Red Frogs in Coffs alongside her husband, Jesse.
Red Frogs are best known for their work during Schoolies Week. The Coffs team took a group of volunteers to look out for young people during Schoolies on the Gold Coast in 2025. But the mission of serving and safeguarding a generation also takes shape locally—showing up week in, week out, at uni campus housing.
The heart of the Monday night activity is captured in one simple phrase: “Family dinner”. Jesse explains, “We cook, eat, and play games with the intent of creating connections. And using those connections, we invite them to our social events and to hang out at other times too.”
Students come from a range of backgrounds and are navigating what can be a difficult season, marked by financial pressure and the challenge of forming meaningful friendships.
“The dinners went so well the first year that the campus manager asked us to come every week,” Anita says. “She saw how students were connecting more. She gave us the calendar and said to come to whatever we can! It’s a huge open door and we’ve built a great relationship.”
The team serves around 30 young people weekly. “Everyone's mates; we play games, hang out, eat dinner and have a yarn,” Jesse says. “But there are relationships that go deeper than that. One of the students has had some big questions on his mind and is interested in talking about deeper life stuff. In connecting with one of our volunteers, he’s found someone he can talk to. It's those relationships that are the most valuable.”
“It’s a ‘show’ more than ‘tell’ form of evangelism,” Jesse explains, “Showing the love of Jesus without preaching to them. A lot of them would be closed, with preconceived ideas. You can break that down by loving them first.”
Mobilising Young Adults for Mission
YWAM Coffs
YWAM (Youth With A Mission) Coffs are passionate about empowering young people to live at their full potential and make a positive impact in the world.
Through training, outreach, and local mission opportunities, YWAM creates an environment where young adults can come and grow in faith and character, to go out and flourish in their unique area of calling.
In 2025, YWAM Coffs continued to develop local ministry partnerships, sent an outreach team to Fiji, and progressed plans towards starting a Discipleship Training School in September 2026. Locally, the team has been connecting with people through a coffee trailer, serving those experiencing homelessness, and running a breakfast ministry reaching teenagers at local skate parks.
The team is growing and in 2026 they hope to expand their local ministry activities and partnerships to help reach people in universities, schools, aged care homes, drug and alcohol rehabilitation, and the online gaming community.
Meeting Young People Where They’re At
Our YWAM Coffs team became aware of a simple but significant need—young people arriving at school hungry, and just as often, feeling alone.
So we started small. Each Wednesday morning, we showed up at the local skate park with pancakes and time to connect. By the third week, more than 40 young people were gathering.
At first, we weren’t sure how much impact we were having. But when we had to pause for a few weeks, young people began seeking us out, asking when we’d be back. That’s when we realised something meaningful was taking place.
Now, this has become a weekly commitment. It’s more than just food, it’s about showing up consistently, building trust, and creating space for connection. In meeting practical needs, we’re also seeing emotional and spiritual openness grow.
Sometimes, seemingly simple presence can make a significant difference.
