The annual update from Youth Catalyst Ethan Miller for 2024.
Listen to Ethan's update in The Lowdown podcast.
I was employed as the National Youth Catalyst two weeks before Easter 2023 as a response to the 2022 Baptist National Hui. The purpose of the role is to create a compelling and shared vision for BYM (Baptist Youth Ministries) in New Zealand, develop a 3–5-year strategic plan, and build a robust framework and structure for achieving this vision. More on all of this below, but first, a few highlights and key priorities over the past year:
Gathering
In November 2023, we celebrated the first BYM Hui since 2019 with 75 youth pastors and leaders from across the country coming together for fellowship, prayer, discussion, and fun. For many, this was their first experience with a national BYM gathering. For some, it was their introduction to a broader Baptist Union event. Despite the increasing financial and time constraints many of our youth leaders faced, it was a great turnout.
As always, Easter Camps were a great success, with many young people making life-changing decisions. The difficult years of COVID seem like a distant memory as youth ministries rebuild and the camps begin to grow once again. Big thanks go to Blue Bradley, Mike Dodge and Hannah Cossey for all their mahi. E Camp was also successful, reaching full capacity before registrations closed! Shout out to E Camp Director Josh Van De Worp for ten years of faithful leadership. What a way to finish up! Casey Clark from Manukau City Baptist Church has now taken the reins in what has been a smooth transition.
We had 340 youth leaders attend King’s Birthday Youth Leaders Training. It was a great weekend of opening God’s word, training on youth ministry, team building and worship. Thank you to Alan Ameye, who helped me organise the event and the many others who contributed throughout the weekend.
We had 257 campers and youth leaders go to Xtend (a camp focused on extending the faith of 15–18-year-olds) in Palmerston North. One of my favourite stories was hearing from a mother still new to faith whose daughter came home completely transformed. A few weeks later, she and a friend got baptised. That is Gospel Renewal in people and places. Thank you, Merrilyn Withers, Mike Sandbrook and Katie Thomas, for all your hard work putting Xtend together.
Advocating/Influencing
A significant focus of mine has been advocating for ministry to young people within our Baptist churches. Over the past decade, we have witnessed a decrease in resources dedicated to young people, which has had a noticeable impact on our ability to minister effectively. Given that many young people are not able to advocate for themselves, it is crucial that we remind our churches of their role in nurturing and discipling the next generation. I had the privilege of leading the He Rito Focus Night at the National Hui, which aimed to encourage our Baptist movement to invest in young people. I spoke at all five regional hui about the importance of growing young within our churches. I led a three-part webinar series titled “Fostering a Generation of Emerging Leaders” through Carey’s Lifelong Learning platform. I regularly engage with Senior Pastors, Elders, and key leaders within our Baptist context.
Resourcing
With the increasing lack of resources (time, money and people) at a local church level, there is a growing need for ready-to-go resources.
In 2024, we launched the Baptist Student Network to connect young people with churches as they move to different cities for university.
I send out a fortnightly BYM Mail, a key tool in keeping our leaders updated on the latest stories, research, resources, and events.
In partnership with Child Matters, we have updated our Child Protection Policy and offered two free webinars to help our churches understand how to implement it in their context. We remain committed to addressing ongoing questions and concerns and will continue to review and enhance the policy as needed.
We are also in the process of developing the He Rito website and the upcoming replacement to the Baptist Intranet. Together, these will be the destination for resourcing churches for ministry to young people from birth right through to their young adult years.
Developing
With churches having fewer resources to effectively disciple and nurture their young people, there is a need for greater collaboration, support, and resources at the national and regional levels. To achieve this, I am re-establishing a BYM Trust board that can work with me to establish a financial plan that will enable BYM to further support churches in their pursuit to disciple young people. I want to thank a couple of key donors who have given generously towards BYM, enabling greater ministry to and with young people. This financial support has enabled several new initiatives that will be announced in the coming months and allowed the employment of a BYM Administrator, Maya Edmunds. Maya is already making great headway in her role, and we are excited for the year ahead.
In early 2024, I presented one part of a proposed National Youth Strategy to the Regional Leaders, the Chair of regional associations, and the National Support Centre Lead Team. The proposal was to have a National Youth Team comprising the National Youth Catalyst and Regional Youth Coaches (partly funded by associations and, in time, topped up through fundraising by BYM). Together, this team would work to develop a shared vision and strategy that could be outworked regionally. There isn’t agreement at this time for a nationally coordinated approach to Baptist youth ministry, so I have pivoted to a region-by-region approach. Although this will take more time to develop, I am incredibly hopeful for the future of BYM and our role in supporting churches to raise the next generation of Jesus’ followers.
Thank you to everyone who is involved in discipling young people. You are a joy to work with and an honour to serve. I’m glad that we get to do this together.
This update is from the 2024 Annual Report of the Baptist Churches of New Zealand, which you can view here.
Photo: He Rito Focus Night at the 2023 Baptist National Hui. By Morgan Dews.
