Partners grow life-long disciples

Australian Lutheran College (ALC) has joined forces with Lutheran Youth of Queensland to light the way for young people wanting a life-changing experience through the Luminate program.

Luminate is a year of Christian discipleship in which faith is fostered through formal learning, a strong peer community and ministry experience.

There are three components to the program:

• Study and Discipleship – in which participants
  engage with the Certificate IV in Christian Ministry and
  Theology, delivered by ALC, as well as experience practical ministry training
• Ministry Placement – which provides opportunities to serve in local church ministry and be mentored in ministry

• Shared Ministry Experiences – including a two-week mission trip to Far North Queensland and leading on two LYQ holiday camps.

Luminate has been designed for young adults aged 18 to 25. It aims to grow young adults in faith and maturity and prepare them for life in general – not just ministry.

The focus is to develop young adults who have a clear understanding of God, themselves and how they can contribute to the world. Some Luminate participants will go on to pursue a ministry career but it is expected most will become community leaders across all sectors.

Luminate is an opportunity for young adults to invest 12 months in the faith that will underpin and guide the rest of their lives.

Aaron Glover, the director of Lutheran Youth of Queensland is ‘excited about the impact that Luminate will have on church as we intentionally equip and inspire young adults to grow a solid foundation of faith; a faith that’s grounded in community and service to others’.

‘My dream would be for every Lutheran young adult to do Luminate because I think it’s an investment in their faith that will pay dividends for the rest of their life and eternity’, he says.

Tania Nelson, the head of School of Theological Studies at ALC says the Certificate IV in Christian Ministry and Theology is a great gap year study experience. ‘As a foundational qualification for church and ministry workers in a range of fields, the Certificate IV has been further enhanced through the partnership with LYQ and the Luminate program’, she says. ‘Now that’s illuminating!’

And here’s what Hannah Fuller (one of the participants) has to say about Luminate:

1. Why did you sign up to Luminate?

I’ve been saying for a while now that I want/need to make God the centre of my life and to learn and grow in my faith and help bring other people to God. I get to take a gap year learning about God and myself and growing in my faith, while making an actual difference in the lives of those around me.

2. What has been good (or the best) so far?

I would have to say our first residential study retreat at Koojarewon Youth Camp. We got to meet the other participants and we just dove in head-first. We were just open and honest and vulnerable with each other which was awesome. Plus we did this really epic team-building challenge which helped us to realise the role we play in this team and what our strengths are.

3. What do you hope to get out of the year?

I am hoping to have a closer relationship with God, more self-confidence, some really great supportive friends that will always be there for me and I really want to be a part of bringing someone to God.

4. How are you finding the ALC study?

I’ll be honest, I’m finding it a bit challenging … it’s been over a year since I’ve last had to do an assignment so it’s a bit of a struggle trying to get my brain back into work mode, but the actual work is really good!

This feature story comes from The Lutheran April 2016. Visit the website to find out more about The Lutheran or to subscribe.