News

Summer Missions

What does Augusta Turner Family Festival mean to you?
In a caravan park where good times, family and friends reign, it’s easy for holiday makers to feel that they have it all and don’t need a God or a saviour. But it’s this attitude that keeps us in spiritual poverty, and it’s into this unquestioning but needy context that we get to share Jesus’ amazing gift of grace. This week of practically loving our neighbours in the caravan park, hearing their story and sharing ours too, is an incredible way for us to join God’s mission of redemption for all people.

How does the team interact and engage with the other holiday makers at the Turner Caravan Park?
In Romans, Paul writes: “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?”. It’s this principle that guides all the activities we put on for the campers in the caravan park. Yes, the gospel can be modelled in our sacrificial love and service, and this is a key component of our mission. But we know that it’s the gospel of Jesus that saves, not our actions. And so we aim to tell this gospel at every opportunity- during the kids or teen program, in evangelistic talks during family events (like movie and quiz nights), and through conversation and relationship with those who attend. The purpose of all our events is to provide a context in which the gospel can be proclaimed with love.

What life change moments does the FF aim to achieve?
We recognise it’s a short term mission, and so we have pretty limited opportunities to follow up and disciple those we reach. We see our role as planting seeds – presenting a crystal-clear take on the Gospel and taking comfort in God’s sovereignty and power to change hearts. And so, like Paul in 1 Corinthians 3:5-9, we humbly submit to God’s design. We plant the seeds, and pray like anything that God might make them grow.

by Ben Hotchkin & Lawson Smith