Ministry

It’s a time of ending and beginning at Endeavour. Our endings include our Lay Chaplain, Jason Urquhart, finishing his contract, Heather Vogt concluding her time as Principal of the College, and of course the end of the school term. In each of these endings, one of the things I see, is the sacrifice involved.

Jason has given his time, energy and effort to the College and to the students and staff freely, giving everything God has given him into the role, willingly sacrificing his time and energy in order to help people grow in their faith in Jesus and understanding of God’s incredible love for them. He will be missed. Jason came into the school just as COVID-19 was hitting in the middle of Term 1 last year, and learnt his role as he went, adapting to changing expectations and environments as needed, in order to serve others.

Heather has brought relentless energy, brilliant strategic thinking, and constant care and courage into her role as Principal. During her time, the College has grown in many different ways. As all leaders experience, she has had the burden of responsibility, but has worn it willingly, knowing that in doing so, freedom and life would be created for others.

And as the school term has finished, staff have given so much for the sake of the education and growth of others, often putting the needs of others before their own.

In all of this, we see a reflection of Jesus.

This Easter, as the death and resurrection of Jesus is celebrated, we give thanks that Jesus was willing to sacrifice himself, and that we all benefit from it. This is immensely good news in and of itself.

Yet it is also the gift that keeps on giving. In faith, Jesus lives in every person who believes in him, and so places this same sacrificial nature in each of us – a willingness and ability to give of ourselves for the sake of others.

Most recently, this has been experienced in chapel, as a variety of students, with support and encouragement from Jason, courageously stepped forward and spoke of their struggles in life and in faith, in order to encourage their fellow students to also trust Jesus.

It is amazing to see this sacrificial nature of Jesus in Heather, in Jason, in all the staff, and in our students.

I pray that you would know and experience the sacrificial love of Jesus in your own life, and be able to live a life of sacrificial love also.

God bless you,

Chris Mann

Pastor