Steve and Nadene Kilah are based on the Sunshine Coast working with Scripture Union as District Co-Ordinator and had spent the school holidays at Well-Being Australia's Laguna Quays Respite cottage on Repulse Bay. When it was suggested the family might meet with us and the young writers, Steve and Nadine responded positively.
Nadene Kilah had left at the respite cottage a beautiful detailed hand written card for Delma. In it Nadine wrote how much they as a family enjoyed this precious time together with wonderful beach walks and exploring. Nadene wrote that they could never have afforded such a holiday showing their boys the wonders of the Whitsundays without such a respite cottage provision.
Nothing gives Delma and I as much joy in the Lord than to receive such beautiful responses. The Laguna Quays Respite was established in 2011 for such a purpose as this, where those in Christian service on the front line (as it were) might have a place of recuperation and restoring – indeed the great 19th century London preacher Charles Hadden Spurgeon had such a resting place in France.
It has been thoroughly booked since its opening two years ago and continues to be so, right the way through to the end of August this year. We've enjoyed several SU visitors, along with CMS, WEC, SIM, TEAR, GR, GI, CBA, YM, CM, UC, and other independent missions, all as a gift to the Lord. Missionary or pastor enquiries are welcome timeout@bushoprchestra.com 0487 245 207
Steve Kilah's ministry with Scripture Union
Steve Kilah has been working with Scripture Union (SU QLD) on the Sunshine Coast for the past five and a half years to support State School Chaplains in their work of 'Bringing Hope to a Young Generation'.
During this period, school chaplaincy has grown in Queensland from around 220 school communities across the state to more than 750 in 2013.
"The Sunshine Coast has seen its fair share of this growth, and many more schools now have the day-to-day support of a chaplain than when I commenced this role in 2008", says Steve.
This is due to the very generous support from local churches, service clubs and business people who have built upon the seed funding first provided by the Federal Government in 2007 under the NSCP (National School Chaplaincy Program), rebranded in 2012 as the National School Chaplaincy and Student Welfare Program (NSCSWP).
Steve and Nadene and their three sons live in Caloundra, and since 2000 have been working to support the local community, firstly from 2000-2005 through the local church as part of a new Christian community, Caloundra CityHarvest, and then more recently with SU QLD across the Sunshine Coast.
With two teenage sons and the third son fast approaching his teenage years, Steve sees first-hand the vast opportunities and dangers young people face. These range from the myriad of choices in sourcing information (available in print, video, movie, TV and music) through to the erosion of family values and standards, which in the past have given young people security.
"There are many people in our community who need to know they have a 'hope and a future'" says Steve.
"I have the opportunity to play a part in the provision of care and support for young people and families - families who are feeling the pressure of modern life in an unprecedented way. I have the privilege of supporting a team of chaplains who are passionate about making a difference in these local Sunshine Coast communities, in an effort to be a fence at the top of the cliff rather than an ambulance at the bottom."
There are currently 32 chaplains serving 38 state school communities in Steve's district.
To contact Steve Kilah to speak at your men's fellowship group or the wider church community, stevek@suqld.org.au
Dr Mark Tronson is a Baptist minister (retired) who served as the Australian cricket team chaplain for 17 years (2000 ret) and established Life After Cricket in 2001. He was recognised by the Olympic Ministry Medal in 2009 presented by Carl Lewis Olympian of the Century. He has written 24 books, and enjoys writing. He is married to Delma, with four adult children and grand-children.
Mark Tronson's archive of articles can be viewed at www.pressserviceinternational.org/mark-tronson.html