In the West, By the West,
For the Glory of God
Everyone asks 'what do you want to do when you leave school?'
At a-GAPe we ask 'who do you want to be?'
If you want to be someone that loves God and loves others - then a-GAPe Challenge is for you. a-gápē is the highest form of love. It is the word the Bible uses to describe God's love for us: Sacrificial, Unconditional, Giving.
a-GAPe Challenge is a year of knowing God's love and being challenged to love like God loves us.
Designed for school leavers across Sydney's West, a-GAPe Challenge is not only a gap year—it's a transformative journey bridging the transition from school to an apprenticeship, higher education, full time work, or whatever else life brings.
Imagine a year dedicated to deepening your faith and honing your skills in Christian mission and ministry, all within a cohort of likeminded peers, the familiar embrace of your home church, and the multicultural + marginalised context of Western Sydney.
a-GAPe Challenge is GOSPEL FOCUSED
Just as Paul urged Timothy (1 Timothy 4:6-16) to become a beacon of faith and teaching, our program aims to equip young adults to be steadfast disciples of Christ Jesus.
Throughout the year you’ll:
Grow in Godliness: Develop habits that strengthen your spiritual foundation for now and the future in Devotion and Prayer Time.
Deepen your Theology: Immerse yourself in the timeless truths of Scripture and sound teaching through Preliminary Theological Certificate subjects.
Train in Leadership: Be nurtured as leaders of the Gospel while building a solid personal Christian walk into adulthood through the Leadership Discipleship Group.
Expand your Vision: Dive into the intricacies, challenges, and joys of ministry in Western Sydney. Engage with expert leaders teaching Special Workshops on ministry in multicultural, marginalised, and other settings.
a-GAPe Challenge is PARTICIPANT SHAPED
Each participant has a training plan tailored to their individual passions, skills, and the needs of their local church.
Participants will engage in ministry exercises designed to expand their mission and ministry skills in both familiar settings—such as their local church—and less familiar settings, including two short mission trips during school holidays (one local and one to a rural area).
In addition to their training activities, participants will be encouraged to pursue paid work for two or three days a week. This may include placements at a local Christian school, where they can apply their ministry training in a practical setting
a-GAPe Challenge is CHURCH BASED
Our program is designed not only to enrich the participant’s personal spiritual journey but also to benefit their local church community.
Participants are encouraged to actively engage in the mission and ministry initiatives of their home church. a-GAPe Challenge is structured to prioritise this involvement, particularly on Fridays and Sundays.
Transitioning from high school brings many changes for young adults. Our aim is to support participants in maintaining and strengthening their connection to their current church community throughout this pivotal year.
Join us for a year of growth, discovery, and purpose. Whether it's discipleship, evangelism, or working alongside and leading others, a-GAPe Challenge prepares you for a lifetime of impactful Christian service.