North West churches have developed a unique model of discipleship to ensure young people in outback churches mature in their faith despite isolation.
Geraldton Cathedral’s assistant minister Mike Welham meets regularly one to one with teens in Year 12 to help prepare them to launch into life elsewhere.
Four young men are serving in church in new places following Mike’s discipleship.
“Meeting one to one creates a unique opportunity to talk on a much deeper level and to give intentional encouragement,” he said.
“By this I mean, helping them prepare to move onto the next phase of their life and stand strong in the Lord apart from their parents’ influence.”
They look at the Bible’s blueprint for relationships and for those heading to the city, Mike helps link them to a church and Christian groups at university.
Darcy de Vries (19 years) appreciated the sacrifice Mike made to commit to regular catch-ups before he moved to Kununurra in 2022. Motivated by the desire for Kununurra teens to have the same opportunity that he had enjoyed, Darcy started a youth bible study at his new Anglican Church.
“Since Year 7, I had had a bible study to go to with Cathedral youth and I really valued it.
“It’s helpful to meet in a group, to hear other people’s views and learn from others.”
Darcy is now discipled by an older brother in Christ who meets regularly with him over coffee to read the bible together, discuss life and pray.
“It’s encouraging to have someone else I can go to for advice, someone who cares enough about me to make time available,” he said.
Luke Harris (18 years) met weekly with Mike before moving to Perth. He is doing a cadetship at CRU West, which runs camps and bible studies for young people to consider the claims of Christ.
Luke said he was nervous about moving to Perth but Mike helped him think through issues, especially to prioritise his relationship with Jesus and to keep up bible reading and prayer.