Exploring the history and culture that sets the Fresh Hope network of churches apart is at the heart of its annual Ministry Endorsement Pilgrimage. This year, more than 40 pastors, chaplains and governance leaders attended the event from around NSW, enjoying not only sessions that covered organisational structure, restoration history, and safe ministry training but time for relational connection and mutual encouragement.
“Pilgrimage is an orientation event for individuals who are seeking endorsement as pastors and chaplains, and churches who are exploring affiliation,” says Mission & Ministry Director John Crowther. “But how we host this event is all about connection. We hope through the introductions to key Fresh Hope staff and networking with one another, they will sense something of the dynamic and life within our family as well as hearing the heart and vision of our movement.
“One of the exciting aspects of this year’s pilgrimage was seeing the multi-ethnic diversity among the participants, which reflects the reality across our network. I was encouraged by one of our Myanmar brothers who, at the end of Pilgrimage said to me, ‘After attending Pilgrimage we have found our new extended family’.
“Pilgrimage is a great opportunity for us to celebrate what God is doing across our network and learn from each other while we are together.”
In September an abridged version of Pilgrimage will be offered at Dunmore House for those ministering and serving bi-vocationally, or in part-time pastoral roles.
