Witnessing God at work around us

With support from an LCANZ Local Mission Fund Seed Grant, St James Lutheran Church Hervey Bay has launched the Community Connection and Growth Project. Led by Child & Youth Ministry Coordinator Hannah Doecke, the project is already strengthening ties between church, school and community through programs like JAM Kids, a new youth group and Youth Alpha.

It has been a joy to begin working in the child and youth ministry space with strong support from our St James Lutheran Church and college in the Hervey Bay suburb of Urraween, Queensland. This gives me great hope for our mission and ministry connecting with the local community, particularly through St James Lutheran College.

My role is supported by the congregation, along with an LCANZ Local Mission Seed Fund grant, which was received for our Community Connection and Growth Project. In my first few weeks, I have focused on the JAM (Jesus And Me) Kids program, creating intentional spaces and an altar display reflecting the liturgical colours throughout the church year.

This display is visible to college staff and students using the space during the week. I have also recruited new and returning volunteers, allowing us to form multiple JAM Kids groups with age-specific content. Read on

Images: An early focus in Hannah Doecke’s role as the new Child & Youth Ministry Coordinator for St James Lutheran Church Hervey Bay has been the JAM (Jesus And Me) Kids program, which offers age-specific faith-centred activities and spaces for craft, Bible lessons, discussions and music. Other programs include a teen Bible study, Youth Alpha and a new youth group.