Summer Outreach Training Course Review 2006

This was Judith Simpson’s first time at the Training course.
Here's what she thought of it:

Just before the summer started I applied for a CEF Summer Outreach Training Course. I wasn’t sure what to expect although I had been to the Junior Course two years previous. I was excited and nervous about what God was going to teach me during the week. I couldn’t wait to meet people who had the same desire as me to tell the Gospel to children who had never been told.

So on Friday 30th June I headed to Seaview House in Kilkeel for the course. There were around 75 other young people who had arrived. There were three courses running; these were the Junior Course (for 14-15 year olds), the Elementary Course (for 16 and up) and the Advanced (for those who’d already done the Elementary Course.) I was doing the Elementary one.

That night we had an introductory lesson to the course which is where we were given our timetables for the week.

The ‘rise and shine’ time in the morning was 7:00am, which took us all our energy to get out of bed for that time. Of course for the sake of beauty most of us girls were more than glad to get up earlier! At 7:45am we had our own personal quiet times. I appreciated this time of the morning as it gave me encouragement and set me up for the day. Shortly after the quiet time we had a prayer meeting which began with a short devotion from an advanced student and we then split into groups for some prayer. Finally at 8:55am we sat down for our breakfast, even though it felt like we had a whole day’s work over already!

Our first class was at 9:45am and it was usually a Bible Study which was led by John Nixon. These were always amazing and taught me a lot. The rest of the morning was filled with 3 classes which covered topics such as, ‘The Roman Catholic child’, ‘What is the Gospel?’ and ‘Teaching a Bible lesson’. After lunch we had some free time and then more classes until tea time. Our day did not finish there though, because after tea we had a further four classes (usually prayer and study time) and at 8:40pm we finished our last class for the day.

In the evening we had a praise time and this often was held down at Kilkeel harbour. Here we were able to make a stand for God and sing out about Him to people passing by. It was a great witness.

After supper we would head to our rooms where we would have dorm quiet times. It was completely up to ourselves what we choose to discuss. It was so great to be encouraged and strengthened by the others in our dorm and it was during these times that we bonded with our Christian friends.

As the week progressed it got harder as we had to prepare for a Bible lesson. It was stressful at times but the teachers were brilliant and helped us all they could. At the end of the week each student presented their Bible lesson to a group of students as well as a teacher who assessed us. After this we had a Commissioning Service with our parents where we received certificates and were encouraged once more to share the Gospel to untold children.

Looking back I am so happy that I applied for the course. God has taught me so much. I am now better equipped to share the Good News of Jesus and I was set up to serve God for the summer. It was a week of great fellowship with other Christians who excited me for God. Everyone went home with a ‘fire in their bones’ and a real burden for the children of this world. If you feel that God wants you to do something for Him in the summer of 2007, do this course. It will help and encourage you as much as it has helped me.

For Jonathan Flemming it was his 2nd year at the Course.
Here are his thoughts:

On 30th June 2006, a multitude (OK, it was more like 75-80 to be more precise) of eager and enthusiastic young people flocked to Seaview House, the CEF camp centre in Kilkeel, for a week of teaching and learning, fellowship and fun.

Returning to the Summer Outreach Training Course (SOTC) for the Advanced Course has, I believe, strengthened my understanding and ability to reach children more effectively for God’s honour and glory. A typical day consisted of ‘rise and shine’ at 7am, a morning quiet time, a devotional and a morning prayer meeting, all of which was followed by a hearty breakfast. A Bible study was then conducted by Mr John Nixon who based the study on the book of Genesis. This was always looked forward to by both leaders and students and was found to be a blessing on our lives. Classes then ran for the rest of the day until 8:40pm although we did stop for some essential things such as dinner and tea, and of course a game of volleyball! A praise time followed the classes and thanks to the lovely weather the Lord provided for us these were usually held down at the harbour. The evening was then concluded with supper, quiet times and sleep; although some found this more difficult to do than others!

In the Advanced Course the classes expand on what we were taught in the Elementary Course and include a deeper study into the Bible Lesson and the truths surrounding it with David and Ruth Jackson, as well as a more in-depth look into the Roman Catholic Child, their beliefs and practices with John Nixon. The course also incorporated new lessons such as “The Message” and “Why we Teach”. The advanced course I believe has really helped to reinforce the elementary course’s teaching, as well as bringing out new ideas, all of which have helped me immensely. During the course, I believe that I felt God’s presence with me throughout the week, from the prayer and quiet times, to the Bible study, right through to the “big tests” of teaching a Memory Verse and a Bible Lesson, as well as conducting a 5-Day Club® with some rather big ‘children’.

A huge thank-you to all the leaders who taught with such passion and were inspirational to us all; David and Olivia Cruthley, David and Ruth Jackson, Angie McKee, John Nixon and Kenneth Martin. And a big thank-you must also go to kitchen staff too, for all the lovely food; Lyn, Rosemary, Margaret, Joan and Rachel. The Advanced Course of ‘Training Week’ (or SOTC) was for me a great blessing and benefit to my life as well as my teaching methods for reaching children for the Lord. I received superb training, made good friends and enjoyed great fellowship – what better way could you spend a week of your summer than improving your skills to reach children effectively for God’s honour and glory. I would urge you to pray and ask the Lord to lead and guide you and perhaps next year you will be attending the SOTC. “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God.” (James 1:5) “Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish” therefore, “…Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel…” (Matthew 18:14 & Mark 16:15)

Why not pray and think about coming to next year's course? For more details about the Summer Outreach Training Course 2007 click here.

Junior Summer Outreach
Training Course Review 2006

Here’s what Joanne Rainey thought about the Junior Course:

Even though this course was for 4 days, it felt like a week!! There was so much packed into one day that it felt like you were working for a week, and yet in spite of all the work it was enjoyable. There were 16 young people on the course and we all connected quickly so it was easy to work with each other.

When we arrived we had an introductory class along with the 2 groups doing the main training course. The routine for the week was laid out – rising time, meal times, and free times (of which there weren’t too many!!)

In the morning we had a Bible study led by Angie McKee. These were really inspiring times in the mornings. Angie went through the story of Moses and even though I knew Moses’ story I discovered more and more about it. It is amazing that you can learn new things about God’s Word every time you read it or study it.

The rest of the day was occupied with different lessons including:

These were led by David and Olivia Crutchley, David and Ruth Jackson, and Angie.

During the 4 days we had to do 2 practicals. These were either a Quiz or a Memory Verse and a talk on the Wordless Book. This year everyone chose to do a Memory Verse. It was hard work preparing but from watching everyone else it showed me that they all put the effort in and were enjoying themselves. The Wordless Book was harder. More thought went into preparing it (though I’m not saying that no thought went into the Memory Verse!!) It was a challenge in itself to do well, but everyone managed and it was a good and useful practical to be able to do.

This week taught me a lot. I learned more about how to evangelise children more thoroughly and understand how hard it is to prepare items without leaving out important things. I also learned more about my walk with God and how vital it is to being a good witness to children.