PYM - Presbyterian Youth Ministry

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The Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand: A Brief History

The Vision
What We Believe
What We Do
Who We Are
Contact us

The Vision of PYM is to make Jesus made known by:

Teaching and nurturing people in Christian faith
Loving service responding to human need
Proclaiming the gospel
Seeking to transform society
Caring for God’s creation

We aim to do this by growing Christ-centred youth ministries that…

PYM: in, around, out logo

Look IN…encourage young people to grow in a Christ-centred faith in God
Look AROUND…encourage young people to grow in Christ-centred communities
Look OUT…encourage young people to grow Christ-centred mission hearts to serve

Kupu Whakapono -Confession of Faith

From this land of Aotearoa New Zealand
we confess that we believe in and belong
to the one true and living God,
who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
Love before all love.

We believe in God the Father,
sovereign and holy,
Creator and nurturer of all,
Father of Jesus Christ,
sender of the Holy Spirit,
and Judge of all the earth.

We believe in God the Son, Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour,
truly human and truly divine,
who lived among us full of grace and truth.
For our sin he was crucified
and by the power of God was raised from death,
forgiving us, setting us free and bringing to birth God’s new creation.
Now ascended, he calls us to repentance and faith
and restores us to God and to one another.

We believe in God the Holy Spirit,
the giver of life at work in all creation,
who inspired the Scriptures and makes Christ known,
who transforms hearts and minds
and gathers us into the community of Christ,
empowering the Church in worship and in mission.

We belong to this triune God,
women and men,
young and old,
from many nations,
in Christ he iwi kotahi tatou, [we are one people]
witnesses to God’s love in word and action,
servants of reconciliation,
and stewards of creation.

As God’s people,
we look forward in hope and joy
to the return of Christ,
to the new heaven and earth,
where evil and death will be no more,
justice and peace will flourish,
and we shall forever delight in the glory of God

There are 400+ parishes in the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand. Most of them have young people in their church, and many have youth leaders like you helping those young people to grow in their faith in God. The Presbyterian Youth Ministry office exists to help those youth leaders. If you’re reading this page, then chances are YOU are one of those leaders. Specifically, this happens in four ways:

Networking:

We help youth leaders meet other youth leaders in their region and around the country, to support each other and figure out ways to work together.

Resourcing:

We develop resources for youth ministry, and provide access to many others.

Training:

If you want to do some professional training, we work with several organisations that do it well. We are also available to provide training workshops in your region or church.

Advocacy:

We represent the issues and needs of young people in the Presbyterian Church at a local, regional and national level. We are also available to act as an advocate for youth leaders and can provide advice.

This website provides information on many of the services we provide. If you have any further questions, or just want to get in touch, contact the PYM Office – we’d love to hear from you!

Dr. Carlton Johnstone

Carlton is the National Youth Ministry Development Leader for PCANZ based in Wellington. He is married to a beautiful woman named Sarah, dad to a delightful little boy called Max, avid U2 fan, movie addict and coffee drinker. His PhD research explored the challenges of the faith journey for young adults and the implications these have for belonging to a faith community. He works with local churches helping them think through and explore the kind of faith community they need to be for emerging generations of young people and young adults.

Contact Carlton

Terralink House, 275 Cuba Street,
PO Box 9049, Wellington 6141

Phone: (04) 381 8287
Mobile: 027 272-0012
Email: [email protected]

Gordon Fitch

Gordon is the National Youth Ministry Co-ordinator for PCANZ based in Wellington. UK born, he is married to his wonderful American wife Amanda, who have been blessed with four children: Ainsleigh, Baeleigh, Sophie and Liam.Gordon’s interests include football, golf, travel, and he has a real passion for mission and family. Gordon has served in youth ministry for 15 years, in a number of contexts, and has experienced God do some incredible things.