Called to Follow the Fruit
posted by Navigators on August 1st, 2024 in Community | Discipleship | Generations | Gospel | Grow
By Tim Mapperson, Melbourne Labouring Community
It was mid-June. Stepping out into the cold winter night, we closed the door for the last time. We had been meeting at this Community Centre in Carlton for many years as a campus ministry. Tonight was to be our final night. This season was coming to an end.
The Melbourne Uni campus ministry had been meeting at this community centre for a number of years. Photo supplied.
But there was not an aura of sadness. There was a buzz. An enthusiasm. An excitement about pursuing with more focus something God had already started building.
Over the last year or so, the Lord has focussed my discipleship efforts on graduates and working people. We are starting a family ministry to help young parents in that often-confronting journey called ‘parenting’. Student numbers were dropping and dropping, yet more and more working people from within and outside the Navigators were asking to be discipled.
There was a definite ministry shift developing, with no effort of our own. It did not seem right to keep tacking working people onto a community designed for students, especially when there were sometimes no students present!
So, after lengthy prayer and discussion, at the end of semester, it was time to acknowledge what God had been building. From student ministry to community ministry—now discipling graduates, professionals, and families.
Undoubtedly, one’s family and vocation are usually the places of their largest contributions in life. It is a privilege to disciple people in these arenas.
THANK YOUs
Kanini and I continue to be immensely grateful for those of you who support us with your financial gifts. Sacrifices given to the Lord. We are grateful for those who encourage us, who have often asked that simple question, “How is it going there on campus?” And those who have said, “We’re praying for you and the work there.” Prayer is powerful fuel.
Through your prayers, faithfulness, and generosity, the Lord sustained a ministry at Melbourne University. Several times, during downturns in ministry, we asked the Lord, “Do you want us to start afresh here and continue, or to move elsewhere?” Time and again, he would say, “Stay, I have more for you here.” And He would then provide a team to help us on the ground. We just had to be responsive to him and keep saying, “Yes”.
I also wish to extend a great “thank you” to the many who have helped on campus over the years with their time to meet students, disciple students, cook dinners, run events, drive students home, and more. You gave selflessly a very many times, and your partnership has been deeply valuable.
WHAT ABOUT MELBOURNE UNIVERSITY?
Clint and Leigh Ann Trebesh have recently joined our Australian Navigators family, and will be pioneering work at Deakin University.
There has been a long tradition of a Navigator discipleship ministry at the University of Melbourne, since the 1970s. However, it has become an increasingly difficult place for fruitful generational ministry. No one will replace me there at this moment. The Navigators leadership have decided to pioneer a new ministry at Deakin University in Burwood, with Clint and Leigh Ann Trebesh.
Deakin is considered more strategic and beneficial compared to Melbourne University for several reasons: the lack of formal Christian representation at Deakin (there are 16 Christian clubs at Melbourne University already); housing opportunities nearby; its proximity to the wider Navigators community in Melbourne; and its proximity to all the other Navigator ministries. Students at Deakin University also have a more flexible mindset, being more open to ministry opportunities. Melbourne University students tend to be much more set in stone about their career advancement. We fully agree that resources are most strategically placed at Deakin.
THE FUTURE
We are as yet uncertain about what shape the ministry will take going forward. In one sense, since we are following a prior shift in ministry focus, not much will change. But letting go of a student focus will enable us to shape things to better fit the professional and family contexts we are now discipling within. Some of those we will continue with are pictured below. We will keep you updated.
If you have given in the past, we invite you to continue partnering with us. The vision remains the same. To raise up disciples, disciple-makers, and makers of disciple-makers.
PLEASE PRAY
Please pray that God would be deeply honoured in the lives of those who have gone through the Melbourne University ministry. Please also lift us up in prayer for this next season, that we would walk God’s path for us, and His name would be glorified.
Tim and Kanini Mapperson have been faithfully serving with Australian Navigators for a number of years. To find out more about their journey, check out their Staff Profile page and the links below/to the right to some articles Tim and Kanini have written for us.
Featured image of people hiking up a mountain by Tobias Mrzyk on Unsplash.