Status:

Artizo Internship:

updated: June 2010

Hi, I'm Kerensa,

I have really enjoyed being in Artizo, it is a very unique program that centres on discipleship and hands-on ministry experience. I have had so many different opportunities that I would not have been afforded if I was not in the Artizo program. It has opened my eyes to giftedness in certain areas and passion in others. It has also been such a blessing to be part of a team other like-minded people but at the same time the group is extremely diverse in manner and stage of life.

One of the most important things that I have learnt in my 2 years in Artizo has that the word of God must be central. All the strategies we try, plans we make or words we speak will not be effective unless we are teaching and applying the Bible. For some reason it is hard to get people to realise this. Christians love talking about the Bible, but in Canada it is hard to get anyone to teach the Bible. In every ministry that I have been involved in the last 2 years, the importance learning about God from his Word has really struck me, it will often look different for each group but it is essential and life giving.

Kerensa's Artizo training:

• Evangelism and Bible study leading at UBC campus
• Taught Sunday school
• Lead young adults Bible study
• Lead small group bible study
• Discipleship
• Ran large meetings
• Preached at various services and events

Sample online sermon:

• New Mission Acts 8:1-25
  

Kerensa's testimony

I began attending youth group in grade 10 when my friend Sally invited me to her church (Beverly Hills Anglican). Before this, I had noticed that she constantly spoke of her youth group and church friends with such excitement and love, so I was very keen to accept her invitation. Youth group was a lot of fun but also clearly centred on the Bible. I remember doing Bible studies on the gospel of John, and being struck by the concept that the creator of the universe became flesh, came to earth, and died on a cross, taking the punishment for me rejecting or ignoring God. Even though I had done Christian Education classes at school, for the first time in my life the things I was learning actually made sense; they were not just stories anymore, but facts very intimately connected to my own relationship with God. I started going to church in the summer between grade 10 and grade 11, where I continued to learn and be challenged by God’s word. There is not a specific time that I can remember first trusting in Jesus, but it was sometime during that summer that I decided to take what I was learning seriously and let it affect how I was living my life. Since that time and through various events, God has challenged me and his Spirit has changed many things in my heart and life. There have been some really hard and dark times and I still face many struggles, but I am committed to trusting and serving God and to telling other people about him.

I first came to Canada on exchange to the University of British Columbia in the Fall of 2006, and the exchange had a big impact on my life. My intentions when on exchange were to attend a church and make some new friends, as well as have a period of rest. But God clearly had other plans. Soon after my arrival I became involved in the youth ministry at a church in Vancouver. It was during this time of serving God in Canada that I realised that being involved in teaching people about God is I passion and me serious consider what I should do with my life. Over my final year at university back in Sydney in 2007 I prayed and sought advice from older Christians and mentors about what I should do. It was during that year that I felt led to serve God as a missionary overseas, and Canada in particular had been placed on my heart. I moved to Vancouver in July 2008 and, God willing, I plan to stick around.

Kerensa's education:

University of Sydney, 2007

• Graduated with a Bachelor of Health Sciences (First Class Honours)