Raising up future leaders at Dubbo Corps
- deansimpson7
- 4 hours ago
- 4 min read
BY LAUREN MARTIN
Earlier this year, Dubbo Corps Officers Captains Andrea and Daniel Wayman felt inspired to overhaul the structure of their children and youth programs.
Their plan was to invest more heavily in discipleship pathways for their young people and also create a space that might attract young people from outside the corps.
Instead of running Junior Soldiers one afternoon a week and Youth Group on another afternoon, they combined the two groups on one afternoon and rebranded it as ‘Orana Salvos Youth and Kids’. (Dubbo is part of the Orana Region in NSW Central West).
They started running a monthly rotation of programs. Every second week of the month, it’s ‘learn and grow’, where kids are divided into younger and older age groups: the younger group does Junior Soldiers, while the older group participates in a Bible study.
Within the month, they also have a fun and games session, where kids often invite their friends who don’t attend the corps. In the other week of the month, they hold a ‘praise and worship’ week, where each of the young people is learning an instrument in the band.
“The theory behind it is the future of the corps,” says Andrea.
“Most of our kids who come during the week come on Sundays as well, and we are hoping to inspire them [to want to join the corps’ worship arts team]. We are also within that night, teaching them about worship and about praise and worship and the purpose behind it, and just really enjoying it.”
While none of the children or young people have transitioned into the corps worship group yet, it’s only a matter of time before Andrea and Daniel say they will happily step away from their roles in the worship team and nurture new members.
For the first six months, Orana Salvos Youth and Kids focused on one song, the contemporary version of The House of the Lord, which the children and young people then led worship with during a Sunday meeting.
“The corps loved it!” says Andrea. “And the kids loved it too, which was really what we were after.
“We said, ‘It’s not about perfection, it’s about coming from the right heart.’ We want you to enjoy it and do it from the heart of worship.”
Fun activities at the Orana Salvos Youth and Kids afternoon program at Dubbo Corps.
Dubbo Corps has a diverse mix of generations who worship there every Sunday. The updates to the children and youth programs aimed to make them more connected with the corps overall, rather than just separate ‘events’ or ‘programs’.
“We wanted to give our children and young people more ownership,” said Daniel, about the way the new format is intentional about discipleship, and the teaching of an instrument – even if it’s a simple percussion instrument – gives every child and young person involved the ability to become an active part of the corps.
It’s an ethos they carry into every ministry at the corps, intentionally identifying and developing leaders as part of a discipleship journey.
Christmas connection
One family who has benefited is the Yeos. Leanne, her partner, and Leanne’s three kids first connected with Dubbo Salvos two years ago when they applied for a Christmas hamper. They gradually became more involved with the corps, regularly attending church on Sundays and the kids enjoying being part of Orana Salvos Youth and Kids.
The change within their family has been significant. “It’s turned everything around,” said mum, Leanne. “We are more connected. Our family ... we talk a bit more. Before, we used to always be on our phones. We would always be cranky and upset and really aggressive towards one another,” she said.
“Being with the Salvos and the kids and youth group, they [the kids] have settled down a lot. They don’t swear, they are happier and cheerful, they learn different songs, and they want to come home and listen to Christian songs.”
With her home much more peaceful, Leanne began connecting more with the Dubbo Salvos during the week. Now, she volunteers in the kitchen helping to prepare the community meal on Tuesdays and Fridays and says she has made beautiful friendships. She has also started volunteering at the Dubbo Salvos Store.
“The church is basically like my family. I had a rough upbringing, so it’s good to have people that you can trust and talk to.”
Her 16-year-old daughter Sophie wanted an opportunity to serve at church and has enjoyed learning the sound desk. “I like learning,” she said, with Leanne adding that another volunteer sits with Sophie to train her and help build her confidence.
Andrea and Daniel are excited to see how God has been growing and shaping their corps family this year.
“Our focus this year has not been growth in numbers but growth in the kids that attend,” said Andrea.
Keep Dubbo Salvation Army in your prayers as God continues to build his Kingdom through his faithful people in that place.
