Abide Training Program - Youth Ministry Training

Jesus said: “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.” (John 15:4, ESV)

Here at Abide, we passionately believe that our fruitfulness in ministry is directly related to our relationship with Jesus Christ!

If you’re a young adult interested in youth ministry, wanting to plant yourself in a nurturing and vibrant community, Abide, our one-year residential training program is perfect for you. Not only will you be supported in attaining a Certificate in Ministry (Chaplaincy) with Alphacrucis College, you’ll also gain valuable on-the-job experience through Young Life Australia. What could be more worthwhile?

The Program

Abide is Young Life Australia’s one-year residential leadership training program that will help you to grow in your faith and be equipped for youth ministry and relational outreach, and in turn enable you to support and guide others in these areas.

The Abide training program is run in Armidale, NSW, Australia. Armidale is 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 here for 37 years. Abide trainees live at the Young Life Australia College and Community Centre in Armidale, where you will enjoy a year of fellowship, ministry and growing with other young adults living at the Centre.

During your time at Abide you will be supported in attaining a Certificate in Ministry (Chaplaincy) with Alphacrucis College. During the Abide training year, you will also become familiar with the Young Life model of doing relational ministry with young people. Other components of the course are outlined on the other sections on this webpage.

As good support is vital for every effective leader, during your year at Abide you will have a network of people walking alongside you: you will be doing ministry with them, and they will be encouraging you in your Christian life. You will also be involved in a local church (of your choosing) and be mentored by a mature Christian from that church.

In summary, we believe that Abide will be a key turning point in your life as a follower of Jesus.

There are various components of the Abide program.

Certificate in Ministry (Chaplaincy) We believe that sound theological training is key to a sound relationship with Jesus. At Abide you will enrol in the Certificate IV in Ministry (Chaplaincy) provided by Alphacrucis College (AC). AC is a multidisciplinary Christian college shaping and forming students to make an impact in the world of Business, Counselling, Education, Ministry, Music and beyond. Their chaplaincy courses are endorsed by Chaplaincy Australia .

Navigators 2:7

Navigators 2:7 is a discipleship tool that delves deep into God’s Word to apply eternal truths to everyday life, ministry and community. This series provides an excellent platform for your personal discipleship and spiritual growth.

The curriculum comprises three workbooks, entitled:

Growing Strong in God’s Family
Deepening Your Roots in God’s Family
Bearing Fruit in God’s Family

Young Life Specific Training

The Young Life model of relational evangelism forms the central pillar of the Abide training. Completion of this training and ministry is also accepted as part of a unit for your Certificate IV in Ministry-Chaplaincy. This includes basic volunteer training, camp, club, and contact work training. In addition, there is journalling, a cross cultural mission trip, and general Bible study.

Ministry

During your year at Abide, you will be given the opportunity to serve as a leader with Young Life Armidale. You will learn, and put into practice, the Young Life model of relational evangelism throughout the year, in the following contexts:

Schools: Young Life Armidale is engaged in outreach in several local primary and secondary schools. We are also starting a ministry to University students at UNE (University of New England). In these areas you will help to run lunchtime activities, breakfast programs, clubs, outdoor adventure 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 the club meeting relevant, safe and enjoyable.

Camps: To take young people out of their regular environment is invaluable to the Young Life ministry. It is often through camping experiences that young people meet Christ and deepen their friendships. Young Life’s National Summer Camp is held in January at Jindabyne. Seeing young people’s lives impacted by the humble service of many volunteers sets the tone for the rest of your year. Other camps are also held during the year, for example, a week-long study camp, weekend water ski camps, discipleship camps, sport camps and more!

Small Groups: 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. By participating in Bible studies with Young Life students, who have been touched by camp, club, and relationships, you can impact the rest of their lives.

Service Trips: During the year, you will have the opportunity to visit smaller, remote and disadvantaged communities in order to offer practical assistance and compassionate care. You will experience what it means to serve Christ in challenging situations.

YL Road trips: Young Life has ministries across Australia so during the year there will be opportunities to serve the other areas and practice the skills you are learning. As a bonus, we will see many parts of the beautiful country we live in!

International Opportunities: If international travel restrictions lift, there is a possibility that we could visit and serve one of the other Young Life Ministries in the Asia-Pacific Region (eg. Nepal or the Philippines). Otherwise, an Australian based cross-cultural mission trip will be held, possibly to the NT.

Cross Cultural Ministry: Young Life Armidale works with people from diverse backgrounds, including many Indigenous young people. Abide will equip you to share your faith cross-culturally.

International Opportunities: Jesus often took his disciples away from the crowds in order to refocus and reconnect with God the Father. Abide has various retreats structured throughout the year. These include training and prayer times, which are often linked with an adventure like canoeing, bush walking, or a Great Barrier Reef island trip.

Included Certifications and training

Community Life

While enjoying all the above offered by the Abide program, you will also enjoy fun and fellowship with other tenants at the Young Life College and Community Centre. All residents are involved in property work every Friday afternoon to help maintain the building and grounds. Dinners will be in community so you will learn to cook as you have your turn on the roster. Young Life is a non-profit organisation so we will also be involved in fundraising activities.

Work

We set aside Wednesdays as workdays. We have contacts who can help you find some work, if needed, to help in paying your tuition. The work is usually things like cleaning, gardening, or baby-sitting for people from our church partners. You will be expected to earn that money by working with a good work ethic and grace!

Young Life Australia

Connecting with young people in their world

Young Life provides a cutting-edge model for evangelising and discipling un-churched, uninterested teenagers in Australia. Abide is a key learning and development environment for Young Life Australia. Thus, Abide is focussed on preparing people to share Jesus with teenagers in the Young Life way.

Our purpose

We believe in the significance of relationships to change lives, protect against loneliness and build resilience.
We believe in the power of connection to ignite Hope.

Young Life is committed to:

All young people worldwide, without regard to race, ethnicity, gender, religion, economic or social status.
The spiritual, physical and emotional welfare of those involved in the Young Life ministry, and their motivation springing from a growing relationship with Christ.
An innovative approach to taking the Gospel to young people, so that those who are unreached, uninterested, and unconcerned are given an opportunity to know Christ.

We are guided by our core values:

To carry out our mission under the authority of Scripture
To model the Gospel in our lives and relationships
To demonstrate excellent stewardship of resources
To demonstrate integrity, trust and fun in relationships
To demonstrate servant leadership

Theological Studies

This training pathway is provided in partnership with the Alphacrucis College (AC).

At Abide you will enrol in the Certificate IV in Ministry (Chaplaincy). This Certificate provided by Alphacrucis College (AC) introduces immediately applicable and transferable skills in understanding the Bible, leading people, practical theology, self-management, and reaching and caring for people. Their chaplaincy units are endorsed by Chaplaincy Australia and can lead towards employment as a school Chaplain.

Students in Abide will be enrolled in this Certificate course and work as a cohort to achieve the Certificate. The Certificate involves completing 11 units of work as outlined below. Study with Alphacrucis is Austudy approved for students who meet the Australian Government criteria. Visit www.studyassist.gov.au for more details.

Abide students should be able to complete the Certificate during the year at Abide. Austudy is able to cover most of your Abide expenses (see fees section for all information on fees for the Abide program).

The units we will enrol in are as follows:

Core Units

1.Plan for the provision of pastoral and spiritual care

This unit allows a leader to prepare for pastoral care work by understanding boundaries and legislation that impact on ministry practice. The leader also identifies processes and procedures for pastoral care support within and external to the organisation.

2.Effectively communicate the principles of the Old Testament

This unit equips students to discover the value of the Old Testament Scriptures in their daily life. The student learns to read the Old Testament with confidence and gain insights into the text using practical study skills. Learning to communicate the message of the Old Testament to others.

3.Effectively communicate the principles of the New Testament

This unit equips students to discover the value of the New Testament Scriptures in their daily life. The student learns to read the New Testament with confidence and gain insight into the text by using practical study skills. Learning to communicate the message of the New Testament to others.

4.Develop Spiritual disciplines for Christian living

This unit introduces students to contemporary Christian approaches to spiritual disciplines and spirituality.

5.Participate in Christian Ministry

This functional unit covers the skills necessary to identify and participate in the various areas and functions of ministry that facilitate the vision and mission of the church.

6. Investigate and apply a Christian Theology

This unit equips students to understand their faith and how they view the world as Christian by examining the Scriptures and Christian traditions.

Chaplaincy Stream

7. Provide pastoral and spiritual care

This unit allows a leader to prepare for pastoral care work by understanding boundaries and legislation that impacts on ministry practice. The leader also identifies processes and procedures for pastoral care.

8. Use communication to build relationships

This unit describes the skills and knowledge to apply specific communication techniques to establish, build and maintain relationships with clients, colleagues and other stakeholders based on respect and trust.

9. Respond to client needs

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to respond holistically to client needs. Clients may have a range of issues outside and in addition to the area of immediate focus or expertise of the worker and their organization.

10. Work with people with mental health issues

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to establish relationships, clarify needs, and then work collaboratively with people who are living with mental health issues.

11. Provide loss and grief support

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to recognise and respond to the needs of people who are experiencing loss, grief and bereavement.

FAQs

In my year at Abide, who supports and mentors me?

Good support is vital for every effective leader. During the year you will have a network of people walking alongside you and encouraging you to live under God to your full potential!

Residential Mentors

This is the daily ‘go-to’ for each individual in Abide; supporting, coaching and challenging you to grow and develop new skills. Their focus is to help you learn to live an authentic, healthy and balanced Christian life.

Young Life Leadership Team

The Young Life team and senior leaders will also give you much support throughout the year, especially the Abide coordinators and regional manager.

Local Church

Every Abide participant is required to be a contributing member of a local church and small group Bible study. You will also be encouraged to seek a mentor within your church for extra support.

Can I enrol from overseas?

Abide is a fantastic opportunity for young adults from other countries to live and do ministry in Australia. You will make lifelong friends, experience Australian culture and be stretched to discover your real identity in Christ. 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.

If you are enrolling from overseas you will need to apply for a working holiday visa. You will not need a study visa, because the theological study you will do is classified as online, and can be undertaken by anyone, from anywhere in the world. You will therefore enrol in the theological courses as an international student. You will also enrol in a slightly different course, as the Chaplaincy course relates to Australian laws. You would do a Certificate IV in Ministry (Leadership), which means in the second half of the year the courses would be different. See AC web site for more details.

When is the registration deadline?

The Abide program runs from January to December. Registration is now open, and will remain open until December 10th. Successful applicants will be notified shortly after their registration is received. There is a limit of 12 students for the Abide Program.

How will I be able to pay my fees?

Some people who enrol in Abide can secure regular part-time work in the local community. (Please note that the part time work may not impact group activities at Abide.) Other trainees have personal donors who support them in their venture. Sometimes our relationships with churches can enable you to secure cleaning or gardening in personal homes. However, if you are providing a cleaning or gardening service, it will need to be at a professional standard, so you will be carefully monitored. Study with Alphacrucis is Austudy and Fee-Help approved, for students who meet the Australian Government criteria. Visit www.studyassist.gov.au for details. International students see fee page.

How can I finish my Certificate in Ministry if I am unable to finish it during Abide?

We should be able to finish the course in the year at Abide. If you need to finish the course later, you can take up to four years to complete it.

What do I need to bring with me to Abide?

You will need a computer and mobile phone, clothing for all seasons, bedding including blankets (Armidale is very cold in winter so a doona would be even better!) sleeping bag (for trips away), musical instrument (optional), a Bible and notebook, and your favourite recipes.

If you have hiking boots, snorkelling equipment (mask, fins, snorkel, wet suit), swim wear, or a tent to share (we will be doing some camping), and a good raincoat, bring them. You can buy these things here in Armidale (or possibly borrow them) but they would be an added expense if you already have them at home.

What is the accommodation like?

The Young Life College is housed in an old seminary. It is an old brick building (complete with a round tower which has a round meeting room downstairs and a round study room upstairs). It is cold in winter but has good heating in most rooms. It has a large, sunny common room which is a combined lounge, dining room and kitchen. Depending on numbers, you may share a room. The house has shared shower and toilet facilities.

Program Fees

Abide program
(Mid January to Mid December)

$13,000*

This includes Meals, Accommodation (Based on 2 people sharing a room, extra charge for Single rooms), Camps, retreats, road trips, Internet.

Study program
$3,520
Alphacrucis Cert IV in Ministry (Chaplaincy)
– for Australian students
Alphacrucis Cert IV in Ministry (Leadership)
– for International students

Total $16,520 (Australian Dollars)

Please check the following links to see if you qualify for government assistance (In some cases
assistance may cover the entire program).
Our team is also available to advise and help you find the best financial option.

https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/services/centrelink/youth-allowance
https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/services/centrelink/rent-assistance/who-can-get-it
https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/services/centrelink/relocation-scholarship/who-can-get-it

* Fees for mission trip (Northern Territory or Overseas) would be extra. In 2022 this may not go ahead due to COVID-19.

CONTACT US

For further information please email the Abide coordinator at abide@younglife.org.au.

A Typical Week

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Jesus said: “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.” (John 15:4, ESV)

Here at Abide, we passionately believe that our fruitfulness in ministry is directly related to our relationship with Jesus Christ!

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