Study camp stories, COVID ministry, and praying with Ben Williams
I caught up with our JMAP apprentice Ben Williams, to see what he’s been up to and how he’s seen God at work lately.
Ben Williams: training this year and next in the Jannali Ministry Apprenticeship Program (JMAP).
What were you up to last week?
I was leading a study camp with CRU alongside 22 other leaders, a few of whom are also from Jannali Anglican. We spend the week facilitating study for HSC students, receiving bible input, leading discussion groups, and generally getting alongside the year 12 students.
Tell us some stories of how God was at work.
God was definitely at work at study camp! All 88 students heard the gospel proclaimed clearly and faithfully, and were able to spend a week living with godly Christians (which was quite a bit less difficult than a lot of them expected!). All of the campers engaged with the message of Jesus and what that might mean for their lives, and there were many who gave their lives to Christ! Two of the boys in the group of eight which I led in discussion groups alongside Caleb Woods became Christian during the week, and there were many others in different groups. Based on conversations I – and other leaders – had with campers, I don’t think there was a single student who left study camp who hadn’t gained a deeper understanding of Christianity and a greater openness toward it.
What have you been learning about ministry during the last couple of months?
The main thing that I’ve learned – or have been reminded of – over the past few months is that, at its core, Christian ministry is all about people. COVID-19 has resulted in many ministry structures needing to be put on hold, and the staff meetings have been filled with thinking about how to best serve, grow and equip the people of Jannali Anglican in this new environment. It’s been a great reminder that the goal of ministry is to see people growing and maturing in their faith, however the process of that may look.
What has been encouraging and what’s been most challenging for you lately?
Seeing firsthand and being reminded of God’s power to change hearts and bring salvation over this past week at study camp has been immensely encouraging! I’ve found that it’s somewhat easy to forget how powerful He really is as I go about my day-to-day, and so that has been a very welcome reminder. One of the biggest difficulties I think has been the (necessary) restrictions and the uncertainty they’ve brought. It’s hard to prepare for and to do ministry with the framework of what’s permitted changing regularly, but it’s been helpful to remember that ultimately God is in control.
How can we pray for you?
Prayer for wisdom continued reliance on God as we start moving back into meeting together physically as a church would be very appreciated! Please pray that I – as well as the staff team and our church community as a whole – will be making decisions which continually point people towards Christ, and please pray that I will be seeking God’s guidance through this, not trying to do or achieve things in my own strength.