Ab
ide is Young Life Australia’s year of developing and equipping YOU to grow, and in turn be able to support and guide others.
There you will grow in your faith, learn to share Christ with young people and be supported in attaining either the Academic Studies in Theology Certificate or Diploma in Ministry from the Australian College of Theology through the Timothy Partnership.
Originally styled as a Gap Year program for high-school graduates, the course has now been re-engineered to be open and relevant to any young adult who wishes to get equipped in youth ministry and outreach.
Abide will enable you to:
1) Deepen your relationship with God
2) Find your place in Christ’s Community
3) Learn to share your faith with young people
Abide is a key learning and development environment for Young Life Australia, which seeks to build confidence, values and resilience in Australia’s young people through significant relationships with adults who model the love of Christ.
Completion of the Abide program is equivalent to a 1st Year Internship with Young Life.
Location
Abide operates in Armidale in northern NSW, a picturesque university town with all the conveniences of the city and character of the country. Young Life has a rich history in Armidale and has been operating there for 30 years.
Photo: ‘Autumn’ by Ellie Hatte Photography
Academic Studies in Theology Certificate or Diploma in Ministry
Abide Trainees will enrol in either the Academic Studies in Theology Certificate or the Diploma in Ministry from the Australian College of Theology through the Timothy Partnership as part of their training throughout the year.
Navigators 2:7
Navigators is a discipleship tool that delves deep into God’s Word to apply eternal truths to everyday life, ministry and community. This series will provide an excellent platform for your personal discipleship and spiritual growth.
Curriculum:
- Growing Strong in God’s Family
- Deepening Your Roots in God’s Family
- Bearing Fruit in God’s Family
Young Life Leadership
During your year at Abide, you will be given the opportunity to serve as a leader with Young Life Armidale.
You will learn and practice in the Young Life model of relational evangelism throughout the year. This material builds upon Young Life Australia’s Leadership Foundations for volunteers.
- Schools: Young Life is engaged in Armidale’s two public high schools and one Indigenous primary school. In this context you will help to run lunchtime activities, breakfast programs and other opportunities to serve the schools and support the students.
- Club: These weekly meetings for young people are a wonderful platform to share the biblical message of hope. You will learn how to effectively manage a group of young people by making an evening relevant, safe and enjoyable.
- Camps: To take young people out of their regular environment is an invaluable part of Young Life ministry. It is often through camping experiences that young people meet Christ and that friendships are deepened.
- Small Groups & Church: Young Life teaches a process of discipleship. You will learn to help young people grow in their relationship with Christ and find their place in God’s family.
Work Crew at Young Life Summer Camp
You will begin your Abide journey in the second week of January, with a life-changing week serving young people from around Australia at Young Life’s national camp in Jindabyne. Seeing young people’s lives impacted by the humble service of many volunteers sets the tone for the rest of your year!
Service Trips
During the year, you will have the chance to visit smaller, remote and disadvantaged communities to offer practical assistance and compassionate care. You will see what it means to serve Christ in some challenging situations.
Retreats
Jesus often took his disciples away from the crowds in order to refocus and reconnect with God the Father. Abide has several retreats of various types structured throughout the year.
Cross Cultural Ministry
Young Life Armidale works with people from diverse backgrounds including many Indigenous young people. Abide will challenge you to consider the importance of faith and culture.
Included Certifications
Other tools you will acquire during the year include your First Aid and Mental Health First Aid certificates as well as basic outdoor skills including canoeing proficiency.
The Timothy Partnership
Once your place in Abide has been finalised, you will subsequently need to enrol in either the Academic Studies in Theology Certificate or the Diploma in Ministry with the Australian College of Theology through the Timothy Partnership. Young Life requires students to undertake at least 3 units of study each Semester. The Certificate is able to be completed with your year at Abide, however the Diploma will take additional time to complete after your year at Abide. Students will need to indicate that they are aware of and agree with the Timothy Partnerships policies pertaining to new students and intentions to complete. The subjects studied will provide a biblical framework for the practical aspects of Abide’s program.
For more info visit the Timothy Partnership Website
NB In respect to you attaining this qualification while with us at Abide, it is important for us to acknowledge the Timothy Partnership, not ourselves, as the training provider. Abide provides a positive community environment for self-study. The Timothy Partnership is the registered education organisation; Young Life is fortunate to have the opportunity to incorporate their Training into the Abide structure and to connect you to the accreditation opportunity they provide.
Students will be studying either three quarters or full time course load with the Timothy Partnership and as such may be able to apply to Centrelink for benefits depending on individual circumstances. Both the Academic Studies in Theology Certificate and the Diploma in Ministry offered through the Timothy Partnership are eligible programs for students to receive support such as Austudy. Only the diploma program of these has the capacity to be paid for using a FEE-HELP loan
The Young Life College is intentionally designed to be a place where Christians are brought to maturity through carefully planned discipleship and nurturing. This happens though:
The Residential Mentors are the daily ‘go-to’ for each individual in Abide. Apart from managing regular household tasks, they also ensure that relationships in the household remain godly. They also lead some of the activities explained below.
Community meals
Bible Studies
All the guys in the household meet together on a fortnightly basis with the male residential mentor, and the girls, likewise with the female residential mentor. The material they study includes basic Christian habits, Bible study using the Swedish method, and studies on issues like pornography.
Total Fees
The cost of Abide 2017 is $11,000 AUD.
This includes all accommodation, living costs, program materials and Young Life curriculum, camping and training events. It does not however cover the cost of food, and the cost the Diploma in Ministry or Academic Studies in Theology Certificate with the Timothy Partnership. Information regarding these costs can be found here http://timothypartnership.com.au/course-fees/.
You need to budget for $11,000 AUD + Timothy Partnership Units + expenditure on food.
Centrelink Eligibility & FEE Help (Australian Students only)
Students will be studying either three quarters or the full time course load with the Timothy Partnership and as such may be able to apply to Centrelink for benefits depending on individual circumstances. Both the Academic Studies in Theology Certificate and the Diploma in Ministry offered through the Timothy Partnership are eligible programs for students to receive support such as Austudy. Only the diploma program of these has the capacity to be paid for using a FEE-HELP loan.
Preferred Payment Schedule
There is an initial acceptance fee of $800, followed by monthly installments of $850, due on the 10th of each month.
Other payment plans can be negotiated on request. All fees are to be paid in full in the calendar year.
St Peter’s Indigenous Scholarship
A scholarship is available for an Indigenous applicant to Abide, contributing up to $3000 towards total course fees. If you would like to apply, please indicate this on the general application form in the relevant section.
CONTACT US
For further information please email the Abide coordinator at abide@younglife.org.au.
Abide Lite is for students in Armidale who want to be enriched by all the aspects of Abide except the theological courses offered by the Timothy Partnership. They will live at the Young Life College and continue with their own studies, while being trained along with other full time Abide trainees.
The cost of Abide Lite 2018 is $11000 AUD.
This includes
- program materials;
- Young Life curriculum and training;
- camping trips;
- accommodation at the Young Life College;
- training events.
It does not include the cost of food;
To do Abide Lite you need to budget $11000 AUD + expenditure on food.
Centrelink Eligibility & FEE Help (Australian Students only)
Abide Lite trainees may be able to apply to Centrelink for benefits depending on their individual circumstances and their personal study load.
Please consider using this opportunity to benefit to grow spiritually and be equipped for ministry, whilst living in a caring Christian community. Please also make it known to other students in Armidale.
Regional Abide is for those who live approximately two hours drive from Armidale and want to do Abide whilst staying in and contributing positively to the youth ministry in their current community outside of Armidale. Over the course of a year, these Regional Abide trainees would also undertake study toward a certificate or diploma from the Australian College of Theology through The Timothy Partnership.
Regional Abide students will spend two to three days a week in Armidale participating in the Abide training at the Young Life College. The students will spend the remainder of the week doing ministry in their own community under the supervision of their church leader.
The cost of Regional Abide 2018 is $5000 AUD.
This includes
- program materials;
- Young Life curriculum and training;
- camping trips;
- training events.
It does not include the cost of
- food;
- accommodation in Armidale;
- Timothy Partnership subjects. (Information regarding these costs can be found here).
We are confident, however, that if you enroll in this program, that God will provide accommodation for you free of charge in Armidale. Depending on your host, this may also include some food!
To do Regional Abide you need to budget:
$5000 AUD + Timothy Partnership Units + expenditure on food and accommodation.
Centrelink Eligibility & FEE Help (Australian Students only)
Regional Abide will be studying either a three quarters or full time course load with the Timothy Partnership and as such may be able to apply to Centrelink for benefits depending on their individual circumstances. Both the Academic Studies in Theology Certificate and the Diploma in Ministry offered by the Timothy Partnership are eligible programs for students to receive Centrelink support such as Austudy. Only the diploma program of the Timothy Partnership has the capacity to be paid for under a government FEE-HELP loan.
Please consider using this opportunity to benefit you personally as well as your local community. Please also make it known to potential youth leaders whom you know.
APPLY NOW
Places in the Abide program are limited. To apply simply fill in the form below, and the application pack will be emailed to you. Once your application form has been processed you will be informed whether you have progressed to the interview stage or not.
Closing date for Abide Jan-Dec 2018 applications: 1st December 2017
CAN I ENROL FROM OVERSEAS?
Abide is a fantastic opportunity for young adults from other countries. You will make lifelong friends, experience Australian culture and be stretched to discover your real identity. You will also gain a deeper perspective of how large, ever present and good God is as he spiritually enriches every nation, culture and people group on earth.
CONTACT US
For further information use the contact form on this page and our Coordinator will respond.