Judah Fairweather
29 September 2025
Church planting is all I have ever known when it comes to church. I grew up in a church plant, and it has shaped my whole experience of faith. I have been part of Plentylife Church for 15 years, and looking back, I can see how God has been at work through so many different seasons.
One of the most significant things that made Plentylife unique was our missional communities. Every second Sunday, instead of a normal church service, we would do something creative as a group to connect with people who were not Christians or not ready to come to church, and to build the relationships between us as a church. These Sundays looked different each time, but they were always focused on building genuine communities and sharing life with people outside of the church walls.
I was part of a missional community called Kinect, and our aim was to “build family relationships by having fun together.” That simple vision shaped so much of who I am. In Kinect, I learned that my voice mattered and that my ideas were worth listening to. Even as a young person, I feel like I can contribute and that what I say is valuable. That kind of encouragement is a big part of why I love the church and why I feel called to serve in it myself.
Alongside this, my youth group is one of the most important influences in my journey of faith. Youth group is where I feel supported, where I can ask questions, and where I begin to imagine a future in ministry. Like so many things, COVID deeply affected our youth group. Numbers dropped, energy faded, and when the group restarted, there were only four of us meeting in a small school classroom. I was one of those four, and honestly, it was hard to see the point in continuing.
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But God has something bigger in store. Three years ago, the youth group shifted from the school room to my house. That change might sound small, but for me, it is a turning point. Meeting in my home made me feel more comfortable, more excited to attend, and more willing to invite my friends. It felt personal, and it felt alive. Over the past two years, I have watched the group grow from four people to 25. Eventually, we outgrew my house altogether, and now we meet in a church hall with about 30 youths attending every week.
For me, this growth is about so much more than numbers. It is about seeing young people discover that they belong, that they matter, and that faith is real and relevant to their lives. It is a privilege to play even a small part in helping that happen.
Because of this I have been led to also doing work experience with the Anglican Diocese of Melbourne in church planting and revitalisation. This placement has helped deepen my knowledge and grow my passion for ministry. More than that, it has given me a chance to see how churches can be strengthened and renewed so that more people can encounter the hope of Jesus.
Growing up in a church plant has shown me that church is not about attending services. It is about community, creativity, and stepping out in faith to reach others. It is about believing that God can use ordinary people and simple acts of hospitality to build His kingdom. That is the story I have lived, and it is the story I want to keep living as I step into the future.
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