MORE than 2500 school students got to know Jesus better while enjoying their holidays at the 2006 Brisbane KidsGames from June 25-July 2.
KidsGames is a Christian based, multi-denominational physical education and arts program designed to provide students aged 6-14 with a positive and healthy alternative to sitting around at home.
The program linked churches through sports, games and crafts with a challenging Bible curriculum that helped children to meet and grow in Jesus.
Programs were held at 45 venues across Brisbane, including St Bernard’s Parish’s Fr Aspinall Centre.
Brisbane South Deanery youth co-ordinator Jaye Barros said the deanery was the only Catholic organisation to pick up on “this most incredible, evangelical, outreach program for our young people with the most amazing results of prayer, commitment, support and responsibility being shown”.
“Perhaps we, as Catholics, know these areas better as Jesus, Communion, Mission,” she said.
Ms Barros said 50 children from 16 schools, nine churches and two deaneries participated in the program hosted by Brisbane South Deanery, and 27 leaders, including 12 junior leaders under 18, were trained for the event over the last few months.
During the week the children took part in prayer, singing and Bible stories followed by teaching and activities including drama, games, mime, crowd, puppet plays, sports, small groups, prayer groups, reflection time and craft.
There was also relationship building between children, leaders, families and an awareness and desire to build a relationship with Jesus Christ using the various skills and support the children learnt during the week.
Activities culminated in a closing ceremony at the RNA Showgrounds on July 2.
It featured music and art performances from participating students and the grand finals of key KidsGames events and an appearance by this year’s patron, Commonwealth Games weightlifting gold medallist Deb Lovely.
Ms Lovely encouraged children and parents to get involved and cheer on the children participating in the finals.
Event operations manager Terry Williams said the emphasis for all KidsGames activities was on “participation” not “perfection”, with all participants receiving a gold medal in recognition of their participation.
Ms Barros said the Brisbane South Deanery team had planned several “follow-up” initiatives to ensure the children and their families felt included in Catholic communities, whether in their home parishes or embracing parish life for the first time.
“We are hoping that these events will be advertised through the attending families for events happening within the next couple of months as well as a wider invitation to the Catholic community across the archdiocese towards the end of the year,” she said.
For more information about KidsGames or Brisbane South Deanery youth activities phone Jaye Barros on (0418) 454 516.
