After participating in a Compassion fundraiser for their church, four teens from St Paul’s Castle Hill Sydney packed their bags for the Philippines to see the impact of the community’s generosity.
Key points:
- The group are part of the M28 program at their local church, a year-long discipleship course for school leavers that combines service with spiritual growth.
- “I think the biggest takeaway for me was that regardless of where you are financially, your background, your gender, as soon as you step into God’s kingdom, none of that matters.”
They thought they’d help out and learn but didn’t expect to have their faith reshaped by people who, despite facing daily struggles, hold on to a deep hope in Jesus.
The group are part of the M28 program at their local church, a year-long discipleship course for school leavers that combines service with spiritual growth. To raise funds, they took on a 100km cycling challenge from Wollongong to Castle Hill, racing against their minister who’d been given a 6-hour head start on foot.
“We partnered with a [child development] organisation called Compassion, which sponsor children all around the world, providing them with resources to survive their day-to-day life, as well as informing them and teaching them about God,” Alex told Hope 103.2.
The group are part of the M28 program at their local church, a year-long discipleship course for school leavers that combines service with spiritual growth.
Their efforts raised over $20,000, far beyond their goal, directly aiding families still feeling the effects of Typhoon Odette.
“To really see from an outsider the struggles the [Filipino people] deal with was inspiring, because in Australia, Sydney, we’re so lucky and fortunate to have houses with walls and roofs,” Alex said.
“We’ve been sheltered our whole life, and to see the tragedy, but also that their faith was honestly stronger than most of ours, was really inspiring.
“I think the biggest takeaway for me was that regardless of where you are financially, your background, your gender, as soon as you step into God’s kingdom, none of that matters,” Alex said.
The way Alex approaches life back in Sydney now, has been influenced a lot by he saw in the Phillipines.
“I think the biggest takeaway for me was that regardless of where you are financially, your background, your gender, as soon as you step into God’s kingdom, none of that matters.”
“Day to day, I think to myself, should I be complaining about, for example, slow internet speed?” Alex said.
“I’ve got so many great experiences and opportunities that I just take for granted.
“So, the way I appreciate things in life has really changed, as well as prioritising my faith.”
To find out more about Compassion’s child sponsorship program visit their website.
Listen to the full conversation in the player above.
Feature image: Supplied (Jersey Road)
