GRAND FOR GREAT…

Our 2024 Foxfire team members have just completed their training program, which culminated in a Commissioning Ceremony that took place on Saturday, 23^rd March 2024.

Having first arrived in the middle of January 2024 as nine individuals and hit the ground running with team building exercises; these young people soon became one ‘Foxfire Team 2024’. They were engaged in an intensive training program over the past two and a half months. AE’s Foxfire program is concerted in effort to empower young people with skills ranging from first aid to basic financial planning; from dance & drama to environmental education; from program planning to apologetics – and so much more!

Scarcely had the Foxies completed their final training session (20^th March on ‘Gifts’ of the Spirit’) when, three days later, they were commissioned for AE ministry. I guess that was their final preparation for evangelism the AE way – always be prepared; there is no time to waste; ‘the harvest is plenty but the labourers few’ so let’s get on with it!

‘There’s no such thing as a free lunch’ – well in this case there was –I’m just glibly referencing this popular adage to the Foxies having to showcase their recently honed dance and drama skills before their commissioning – ‘dance for their lunch’ as it where rather than ‘sing for their supper’.

The families of the Foxfire team members, together with some invited guests, witnessed this special spirit-filled event in the lives of these youngsters as our Founder Michael Cassidy, and our CEO Theuns Pauw, commissioned them for ministry.

So, having read all this, what does ‘Grand for Great’ have to do with any of it? you may be asking yourself!

Yes of course you’re right to dismiss the notion that that it bizarrely bears a reference to a parental progression from ‘grand’ to ‘great-grand’…certainly not in this context of youth ministry!

It is of course that this profoundly spiritual occasion of a Grand commissioning is for the GREAT Commission to which Jesus calls them (and indeed calls us all):

“Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”                                           Matthew 28: 19-20

Gavin John Communications | South Africa