EIGHTY enthusiastic young people from across Queensland descended on ‘Glendalough’, Iona College’s outdoor education centre at Peregian on the Sunshine Coast for the annual Movers and Shakers Christian Leadership Training Program.
The program, run by Queensland Catholic diocesan youth co-ordinators from March 29-April 3, helped young leaders from Catholic parishes, schools and youth movements to gain quality, affordable leadership training and valuable skills and knowledge.
They were joined by a group of nine young people from Broken Bay diocese youth ministry, who made Movers and Shakers part of their ‘ACT1V8’ training schedule.
The youth leaders, aged from 16 to 25, were challenged both individually, and in small groups, to work on problem solving, teamwork and adventure based activities during the week-long camp.
The program included various creative workshops tailored to more closely meet participants’ individual needs.
St Anthony’s Parish, Toowoomba sponsored two young Sudanese men, Mawal Mtwin and Peter Akeer, to take part in this year’s camp.
St Anthony’s pastoral associate Trish Zeller said Movers and Shakers was a great opportunity for the two young men to increase their level of confidence as young leaders and to network with other youth from around the region.
She said Mawal and Peter enjoyed a challenging and inspiring week, filled with group building activities, problem solving challenges and opportunities for personal growth and fellowship.
Daniel Pyke from Sacred Heart Parish, Toowoomba said Mawal and Peter were a source of inspiration for all the other young people that attended.
‘We were very blessed to have them share their testimony with us,’ Daniel said.
‘Their problems, struggles and life journey put our situation into perspective.
‘I and others were encouraged by their enduring faith, courage and passion and I’m sure their story planted seeds in others and challenged them.’
