G’day $$first_name$$,
As we learn from 1 Corinthians about our joyful unity in Christ, I’m keen to update you on our youth ministry. We can be so thankful for the diversity of our church family, with people in every decade of life gathering together on Sundays. Our family includes a number of teenagers who are growing in their love of Jesus through their time at church on Sunday – whether it’s through our formal time in church, or over a youth discussion after the sermon, or just the blessing of chatting together over a hot chocolate or while playing some basketball. But I’m also aware that a lot of our youth ministry can be a bit ‘invisible’ given that a fair bit of it happens on Friday evenings.
Youth@Hove is a collaboration between the Trinity churches of Tonsley, Woodcroft and Brighton. (find out more here) I have the great privilege of heading up the team of passionate and godly leaders gathered from all three of these churches, serving with youth from all three churches plus a few from other churches or no church background. We meet on Friday evenings at the Holdfast Bay Community Centre for loads of fun, growing friendships, and a deeper knowledge and love of Jesus through time in his word. Two weeks ago we had a real highlight with incoming grade 6s invited to come along to check out Youth and get excited to join in regularly when they move to high school next year. We also invited parents and siblings of the youth to come along as well and we had about 75 people present for a tremendous evening! (20 regular youth, 10 new year 6s, 10 younger siblings, 25 parents and 10 leaders). After some time all together at the start, we split three ways with the grade 6-12 youth heading over to the oval for games, the younger siblings having fun at the Community Centre, and the parents spending some time together being encouraged in the joys and challenges of helping their teenage children grow to know and love Jesus.
Can I ask you to be praying for our youth:
- This Friday is another opportunity for the year 6s to come along to check out Youth@Hove on an ‘ordinary’ night. Please pray that our four current year 6 students at Brighton will have a great time and be really encouraged to lock into Youth next year. Please let me know if you know any year 6 students who might want to check out youth and we can get them the relevant details (or they can just show up at 7pm on Friday!)
- Ask God to grow a deep love of Jesus in our youth that flows over into a passion to be sharing Jesus with their friends.
- Please pray for our year 12 students who are approaching their final assessments and exams, and the subsequent transition to life after school.
- Pray for parents of teenagers as they help their youth prepare for adulthood with a sure foundation of knowing who they are in Christ.
- Ask God to raise up at least two more youth leaders from Trinity Church Brighton to help us continue to grow this wonderful ministry into 2026 and beyond.
What a joy it is to be united in Christ, sharing across the generations of the goodness of God.
Cheers,
Simon