In 2015, Creative Arts Ministries and Youth Ministries Australia was established as Power to Change, with a focus on youth. But who are we? Where have CRAM and YMA come from?
Youth Ministries Australia was founded by Bill and Faye Hodgson in 1979 with the vision of 'seeing the church equipped to intentionally go and make disciples of young people who will passionately follow Jesus and disciple their own generation to do the same'. YMA had an active presence in partnering with churches and youth leadership in better equipping them to see this vision fulfilled. Throughout the 30 years of YMA’s ministry they have continued to be passionate about equipping leaders and students to influence a generation for Jesus. Propelled by its purpose to help fulfil the Great Commission in Australia and beyond through the process of CONNECTING, BUILDING and SENDING multiplying disciples into their various contexts, YMA has seen God work in the lives of thousands of students and many youth pastors throughout Australia and Thailand.
Creative Arts Ministries was founded by Darren and Judy Hamilton in 2004 with the mission to 'mobilise and equip creative artists to impact the world for Christ'. By 2015, the organisation had fostered and encouraged more than 25 artists of all genres and investing in building, training, and equipping them to perform, share their story. Why? So that everyone knows someone who truly follows Jesus.
The greatest area of CRAM's activity was within NSW High Schools as they sent various artist groups to perform and share the difference that Jesus had made in the lives of the group's members. Over 30,000 students attended these performances, hearing the positive life changing message of Jesus. CRAM also sent teams to countries such as Papua New Guinea, Fiji, and New Zealand to lead worship at numerous conferences and leadership events. Other areas of activity included drama teams, artist mentoring and discipleship, artist support at events such as black stump and pub based music ministry.
2015 was the beginning of a new era for both of these ministries as they came together to form the new youth strategy arm of Power to Change (then called Campus Crusade for Christ Australia, CCCA). The uniting of these teams has been an extremely positive experience, with combined resources – people and material, combined influence and great range of experience, adding this to our combined existing involvement in over 180 Schools and approximately 18,000 students across NSW. The performance team continues to serve in schools, partnering with those working in the school environment and our youth workers have an ongoing presence in schools. Both of these teams working together will allow a focused approach in connecting with young people in creative and relevant ways, then moving to consistent follow up through mentoring programs and leadership development.
Have you seen these logos before? These were the old logos of YMA and CRAM.
