“I can’t believe this week; it has changed my life. I can’t work out how one week can change my thinking so much. I’ve been to many conferences but this week has been the best of my life.” says Mr Ali, a recent graduate from a Foundations course in Delhi, India.
The cross cultural course, developed by Mr Mal Garvin through nearly 50 years of practical coalface work in the Australian mission field, has now spread to over 10 countries worldwide and was run again in Poatina, Tasmania last week.
Over 280 participants spent the week together studying foundational aspects of Christian faith and practical life ministry in 3 streams: Living with God, Living with Other and Living with Yourself. Subjects include Faith and it’s Basis, Forgiveness, The Glory of God, Listening, Attitudes & Values, Habits and Giving Feedback in Relationship and more
Three Tasmanian Christian High Schools participated, making it the largest Youth Foundations to have joined Poatina’s course. One Principal commented “we see Foundations being a significant step to developing our students’ leadership skills and personal growth.” At the end of the week, the students decided they wanted to host a community festival for their primary students, as well as a local State High School, as a way of reaching out to their region.
International guests from India, Singapore, Canada, Germany, South Africa, Jamaica and Ghana are returning to their home countries better equipped to continue Kingdom building ministry in their community.
The Course provides a framework and under-pinning knowledge for all of Fusion’s work. In South Africa, a participant went home equipped and inspired to bring hope, and has since organised three Festivals for her region. The Course run in South Africa earlier this year is helping to ground Fusion’s work through Open Crowd Festivals and bring social change and transformation in conjunction with the FIFA World Cup in 2010.
Koko Khular, from India is currently studying in Poatina, commented on Foundations: “It’s a life changing course. It has taught me to grow in my love for God and see myself better.”
Koko will return to India later this year to join the newly established Fusion team in Delhi in preparation for active mission work during the Commonwealth Games in 2010. He explains, “Foundations has given me a new approach to mission. In India Christians think they have something to give others and that they should just take it, but I want to be more involved in the lives of the people I’m reaching out to. I want to start a community centre, and daytrips for young people, so I can talk with them and get to know them.”
Weeklong Foundations Courses are being planned in Albania, South Africa and New South Wales later this year, and Poatina’s January 2010 one is scheduled for 17-24th.
Education
More articles
Advertisement
Top Stories
- Coptic Christian nominated for 2012 Nobel Peace Prize for work in Cairo
- Service commemorates bicentenary of Charles Dickens's birth
- Thousands of Fijian families receives Bibles, after being introduced to Jesus through Operation Christmas Child
- Anglicans and Orthodox Churches formalise ecumenical relationship
- Bob Marley was Christian long before death, said to have Called upon Jesus on his deathbed
MOST POPULAR
Education Headline
