What is FIRST Training?
FIRST Training is an annual two day retreat for young people from CCCNZ/Open Brethren Heritage churches in the 16-18 age bracket.
Too often we lose young people at this time, yet all have leadership potential that needs nurturing.
First Training is designed to fit in with your wider leadership development programmes, and partner with youth leaders and churches as they disciple and develop these young leaders.
Young people are personally invited by their youth pastor or key leader. Then young people attend the retreat alongside their youth pastor or leader.
Here's a checklist to help you get ready:
What Happens at FIRST Training?
FIRST Training includes a mix of teaching and worship times together, time in small groups for discussion, and solo times for prayer and reflection.
There is also time set aside in the evenings for young people to gather in their youth groups with their leader(s) for further discussion and prayer.
Sessions focus on a range of topics related to leadership development.
Dates and venues for 2024 are as follows:
Lower North Island: August 23-25 at Highland Home Christian Camp (1352 Pohangina Valley East Road, Ashhurst)
Waikato and Auckland: 30 August - 1 September, Willow Park (Eastern Beach, Auckland)
Cost
Cost is $180.00 per person. It is our recommendation that churches assist in raising money so that no individuals are left behind for financial reasons. Churches and young people can fundraise or ask church members to sponsor individuals. If you still have a shortfall, talk to us about applying for funding.
Registration
To register for FIRST Training you'll need to be personally invited by your Youth Leader.
If you're a Key Youth Leader or Youth Pastor, we recommend you approach the young people you'd like to invite, give them an invitation (see PDF below) and download a registration form (see PDF below) for them each to complete.
When you have collected these, register your young people as one group online using the link below. We'll send an invoice out to your church.
For safety reasons, it's important each young person's rego is accompanied by a signed form.
1. Download and print the registration form above.
2. Parents (for under 18y/o) and Leaders to fill in forms.
3. Collect all forms
They will need to be scanned/photographed and uploaded with the online registration when it's available.
4. Register your group using the link above.
We suggest registering your group all at once, so your church receives one invoice.
Further information
If you've got questions please get in touch with Craig Barrow for more info:
craigbarrow@cccnz.nz
021 243 4363
We've also got two promotional videos: one for you to view as a leader and another for you to show to your young people.
For Youth Leaders
For Young People
