"Partnering with Rural Pastors to Proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ."
Live Connection is a vision to facilitate the proclaimation of the gospel of Jesus Christ to the people of Africa. "The hands, feet and mouth of Jesus", Live Connection's purpose is to support local African pastors - and their families - financially, thus enabling and empowering them to spread the word of God amongst their fellow townspeople.
There are several benefits to supporting local pastors rather than using western missionaries, the main one being economical. For the cost of sanctioning and supporting a single Australian minister in Africa, up to approximately sixty African pastors and their families can have their basic needs met, giving them the means and conditions necessary to proclaim the gospel full time, and bring Jesus to the people.
Another reason why local pastors are more effective is that there are no language or cultural barriers between them and the people they minister to. They can speak and communicate much more directly with the people, and spread the truth without having to first learn another language or by having to use an interpreter.
The people of Africa can also be much more receptive to the message when it is told in their own words and in their own cultural tongue, coming from one of their own rather than from a foreign stranger. They have the opportunity to hear the gospel of Christ told in a way that is more relevant to them and more applicable to their lives.
The money donated when sponsoring a pastor, goes directly to meeting his basic needs and those of his family, and is an incredible investment when you think about all the people who will meet Jesus as a result of these contributions to each pastor.
Live connection was started by Paul and Renee Ravesteyn, who are now team leaders for northgate church at Belrose. Renee grew up in the bush of Zambia, and met Paul when he was on a mission trip doing building work over there. They were married, and commenced Live Connection in the year 2000, and have not lost their heart, nor their love for the people of Africa.
Northgate has been partnered with Live Connection since the beginning, and will continue their support into the future.
To find out more information, please visit Live Connection's website at: www.liveconnection.org
Live connection also has a 'myspace', located at : www.myspace.com/live_connection
Youth for Christ Australia |
YFC, or 'Youth For Christ' Australia is currently partnered with northgate ministries, and have had a base of operation - an office - at Northgate Church since early 2006. Operating in over 80 countries, Youth for Christ International is an inter-denominational, non-profit organisation, their main purpose being to serve and support young people worldwide, and to deal with issues and problems that the teenagers of today find themselves faced with.
Youth For Christ Australia offers to work with and support local churches in the interest of reaching young people with the best possible alternatives to the solutions that the world of today has to offer for its own problems. YFC is committed to helping the youth of Australia in such a way that they can grow into physically fit, relational and emotional people, to find meaning and purpose, and to reach their God-given spiritual potential.
Photo : YFC office at Northgate
Some of the problems and issues in young people today that YFC help to deal with include:
- Drug abuse
- Sexuality
- Resorting to crime
- Low self esteem
- Lack of motivation
- Depression
- Suicide
They also seek to teach the importance of goal-setting, self-evaluation and having purpose in life, and that there is an incredible solution to all of the worlds debilitating problems, at least within the heart of each individual.
"Each year in Australia over 70,000 young people are impacted through our ministry." - YFC Australia
Visit the YFC Australia website at: www.yfc.org.au