Challenge and opportunity

(pictured: Youthworks College students)

For many young adults, deciding how to tackle work and study is an exciting yet daunting journey.

Keats started at Youthworks College in 2018. On reflection, he says, he “wasn’t actually quite ready,” so he wisely took some time out, working in the construction and landscaping industry.

During that time he says God used him. “I was evangelising while I was doing that, strengthening my faith…learning to stand strong in my identity in Christ.”

(pictured: Keats, Youthworks College student)

After a few years he felt a strong conviction to return to Youthworks College in 2021 while maintaining some hours of work.

By that time Keats was also heavily involved in ministry through his local church, and he says balancing all three sets of responsibilities was a new challenge.

“It was rewarding though, because I was applying what I was learning online practically to ministry at church and the broader context of my community. Then after that year I ended up deciding to step back from construction.”

“The Senior Minister at my church offered me a student minister’s role, which I’m currently doing two days a week. I'm there serving in our youth and young adults programs, and I’m really enjoying it.”

”Youthworks College brings the community aspect and the practical aspect of applying our teaching and theology of God’s word. So you get a holistic sense of ways to serve our young people, but also how we apply the word of God to the truths and the culture of the time.”

Keats’ passion and enthusiasm for youth is instantly obvious and infectious. He believes that, “We should be teaching our young people faith, but also to take ownership of their faith, so that they can do the same, then teach and disciple others.”

The idea of “a holistic body of Christ, where young people are trained up to take ownership of ministry [alongside] older people - where the whole body of Christ is serving Christ,” is one that inspires him.

“Not one part hindering another part but all the parts working together.”

At Youthworks College, he says the best subjects have challenged and enriched him.

“It’s one of the best things, to be challenged, because it opens up your mind. The more you open your mind up to being challenged, the more you can grow.“