John Peberdy, CEO of Ansvar Insurance said "We are pleased to award Jon this scholarship and we are committed to supporting and encouraging innovative ministry in the Australian community". This is the second Ansvar Insurance scholarship to be awarded and as Karl Faase, Executive Director of Arrow said "We hope this will continue for many years as it is a very positive relationship".
Award winner, Jon Owen, ministers with Urban Neighbours of Hope (UNOH). Over the past twelve years Jon has ministered among the local indigenous community, asylum seekers, refugees, people suffering with mental illness and addictions and the urban poor. Jon currently lives in Western Sydney with his wife Lisa and two children, in Australia's largest public housing estate where their particular focus is the indigenous community, young offenders and women in prison.
UNOH has built effective ministry both in Australia and overseas. The primary focus of UNOH is to be involved with impoverished and marginalised communities in the Asia-Pacific Region, loving God and neighbour so much so that our neighbourhoods become like villages centred on Christ. All workers are required to relocate into and live amongst the poor we are seeking to reach.
Arrow has been functioning in Australia now for 16 years and has helped develop more than two hundred ministry leaders. Many Arrow graduands are leading some of Australians largest churches and most significant Christian organisations. Arrow is a two year ministry development course, completed alongside of participants current roles and is focused on building both their skills in leadership and their understanding of themselves.