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Newman - an exciting ministry opportunity for the right candidate. The parish of Newman, WA is a fantastic opportunity waiting for the right ministry candidate. In a place where the ground work has been established by strategically focused Field Staff, Matthew and Naomi Johnson, now is the perfect time to build on the work already done there. More information here.
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Mark Doyle
Mark Doyle is employed as Gulargambone Central School’s chaplain. Just 90 students attend the school and Mark spends two days a week trying to be “Christ’s light in the school”. He regularly hangs out with kids during recess and lunchtime and …
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Responding to Mental Health Issues in the Bush
While depression is a significant problem in remote Australia, the church has not been quick to respond. Brian Roberts, BCA National Director says: “The secular world has captured this, and the church has not responded.”
BCA has recently launched the Open Gate programme which aims to equip those in ministry with skills to help people suffering mental illness. “Depression and mental illness are real issues in our world and this programme is a distinctively Christian response and is intentionally missional” says Brian, “it ties in with BCA’s mission to see Australians connected with their Creator.”
BCA Councillor Royce Thompson believes that mental health is a big issue for all Australians, not just those in the bush. Open Gate is important as the “resources to deal with these issues are being increasingly reduced in rural areas” he states. It will be run “with a Christian worldview rather than as a secular enterprise” says Royce.
A pilot training day was recently run for Regional Officers and Field Staff from the Diocese of Canberra and Goulburn. The programme gained a positive response and was recognised as an important initiative. “Increased awareness of these issues will allow for early detection and early intervention often has much more productive results.”
Open Gate will equip BCA staff to “assist people with these issues until they can get professional help” which as Royce points out “in rural areas may be 200kms away”. Overall the programme aims to be a “hand of real help and the hand of Christian fellowship as well”.
The programme is commencing in the Diocese of Canberra and Goulburn and will eventually move Australia wide.