SEED 20 Year Anniversary Edition

Seed

To see lives transformed by Jesus in schools

MISSION

Students leading students to Jesus in schools

VALUES

Jesus Centred

With a mission focus

Relational

Building genuine relationships to engage, equip and encourage

Creative

Connecting in relevant and dynamic ways

Passionate

Demonstrating a vibrant energy and joy

with a seed...

In November 2002, a seed -sized idea led a youth minister, Peter Carolane, and a small group of Christians to establish a schools’ ministry committed to supporting students in their faith and sharing God's love in schools across Melbourne. It started with one Lunchtime Group and then two ... three and then ... more! Schools saw our passion, creativity and ability to convey the gospel in creative ways; and so our Schools Presentations, known initially as 'Mustard Live', were launched.

Twenty years later, Mustard has expanded throughout Victoria and into Tasmania and South Australia. The legacy continues: of empowering Lunchtime Groups to explore Jesus with their peers; of presenting Jesus to large groups of students with music, drama, testimonies and fun; of partnering with churches and individuals who believe in the power of youth and are willing to invest in them as leaders. Consider the impact: tens of thousands of students have heard the good news of Jesus! The seeds that have been sown continue to take root and God's kingdom continues to grow. And so the next chapter begins as Mustard impacts this generation, one school at a time. Indeed, the future looks bright!

Long may it continue!

It all started Matthew 13:31-32

Jesus told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches."

SINCE 2002 MUSTARD SCHOOLS MINISTRY

CURRENT LUNCHTIME GROUPS:

VIC

Ballarat Christian College

Ballarat High School

Balwyn High School

Bayside Christian College

Bendigo Senior Secondary College

Blackburn High School

Box Hill High School

Camberwell Girls' Grammar School

Camberwell Grammar School

Carey Baptist Grammar

Caulfield Grammar (Wheelers Hill)

Donvale Christian College

Eltham High School

Haileybury (City)

Heatherton Christian College

Ivanhoe Girls' Grammar School

King's College, Warrnambool

Koonung Secondary College

Luther College

Mac.Robertson Girls' High School

Melbourne High School

Mentone Girls' Grammar School

Methodist Ladies' College

Mildura Senior College

Mount Evelyn Christian School

Phoenix P-12 Community College

Plenty Valley Christian College

Presbyterian Ladies' College

Ringwood Secondary College

Scotch College

St Andrews Christian College

St Helena Secondary College

St Paul's Anglican Grammar

Strathcona Girls' Grammar School

Upper Yarra Secondary College

Wangaratta High School

Waverley Christian College

Wesley College (Glen Waverley)

Yarra Valley Grammar

SA

Adelaide High School

Burnside Primary School

Cedar College (3 groups)

Endeavour College

Glenunga Intern'l High School

Norwood High School

St Peter's Girls' School

TAS

Australian Christian College

Calvin Christian School

Emmanuel Christian School

Geneva Christian College

The Hutchins School

Launceston Christian School (2 groups)

Launceston Church Grammar

Launceston College

Leighland Christian School

Northern Christian School

St Michael's Collegiate School

Southern Christian College

St Mary's College

Calvary Christian College

NeedTHE IN SCHOOLS

by Lara Ruddle

On a bright summer day in 2016, I was greeted at my children’s school gate by three parents handing out a discussion paper entitled: “Special Religious Instruction (SRI) at our School and why it should end!”

Religious education classes began in government schools in the 1890s. Yet, over the past 15 years, there have been widespread changes that have steadily removed Christianity from the school arena. This has been most apparent in the state school system where SRI has now been removed from the school curriculum.

Another pathway for students to have access to faith discussion in schools was through the appointment of school chaplains. In 2006, the National School Chaplaincy Program was introduced “to assist our schools in providing greater pastoral care and supporting the spiritual wellbeing of their students.” However, since 2011, there have been various provisions to allow for the employment of secular pastoral care welfare workers instead of chaplains.

In any event, the role of the chaplain has been so diminished that they are not allowed to speak about faith unless explicitly asked by a student, and the days of Easter services and Nativity plays are over.

Consequently, any teaching about religion has been effectively removed from all government schools. However, the “removal of religion” has also been occurring in the private school system, with many church-based schools opting to focus on Christian values rather than the gospel. Marketing departments are concerned that promoting religion will affect enrolments and some schools have made chapel services optional. I have spoken to several chaplains who lament that their role has been minimised in favour of secular wellbeing and they are now restricted in what they can preach in order that they not be seen to offend anyone.

At Mustard, we have been exploring with students the story of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:26-40). As Philip was called to a desert road, our

students find themselves in a spiritual desert at school. Yet, as we look at the Ethiopian there are still those around us who are seeking meaning and purpose.

The 2021 Census results appear to suggest the decline in exposure to religion in schools has impacted young people’s faith.1

However, an Australian National University (ANU) study published in 2019 showed that Gen Z’s interest in spirituality is actually more complex. The ANU study showed 17% of Gen Z were religiously committed, 20% nominally religious, 40% had a spiritual interest or were undecided on what they believe and only 23% had no faith or interest.

So how has Mustard adapted to the progressive removal of Christianity from the school space and the decline in professing believers amongst young people?

Mustard officially started in November 2002 after some youth at St Hilary’s Anglican Church asked their youth minster, Peter Carolane to help run a Lunchtime Group in their school. Subsequently, more students wanted a group at their school and hence Mustard was born – a movement designed to grow God’s kingdom from a small mustard seed into a flourishing tree where Christians could find a safe space to share and seekers could discover God’s love. School chaplains saw Mustard as an organisation that could present Christianity in creative and culturally relevant ways and so Mustard Live presentations became a regular feature at many schools.

However, with the push to eliminate religion from schools, the Victorian Ministerial Direction in 2015 meant that Mustard’s volunteers could no longer go into schools to facilitate Lunchtime Groups. Mustard's Director at the time, Brenton Killeen said: “As we sat with the possibility of becoming redundant, we sensed God inviting us to a new way forward. There was one glaring opportunity within the pending changes, a clear allowance for students

to initiate and participate in leading faith-based activities.”

Ministerial Direction 145 allows students to organise and participate in voluntary religious activities outside of the school program. It also provides that students can bring religious materials to school and distribute them.

As a result, Mustard was re-born with the focus on empowering and equipping students to lead Lunchtime Groups in their schools. We believe that students are more than capable of living out their faith, not just as leaders, but also missionaries. Students have become the core of everything we do, as encapsulated by our mission“Students leading Students to Jesus”. Students are the only ones who can speak about God in state schools and are certainly a rare voice in most private schools. They are the future of evangelism to the next generation.

In Michael Bird’s book, Religious Freedom in a Secular Age, he discusses

several strategies for Christians living in a post-Christian, secular age. He encourages Christian denominations to work together and focus on the core beliefs of Christianity, to not vacate the public space, to use love as a political weapon and to be different to make a difference.

At Mustard, this is what we encourage Christian students to do through Lunchtime Groups. These groups bring together Christians of all denominations, and our resources focus on the key elements of the gospel, not the controversial issues. The groups provide a safe place for seekers to explore Jesus and we encourage groups to boldly love their school communities.

In the past 18 months, it has been exciting to see Mustard launch in Tasmania and South Australia. Already we have seen courageous students stand up and start new Lunchtime Groups, sometimes in the face of hostile opposition.

In the unreached playgrounds, where students will now go through their childhood totally ignorant of who Jesus is and what the Bible says, it is the Christian students who have the opportunity to be missionaries and share God’s love. At Mustard, we are committed to igniting a passion in students to be God’s voice in their school and nurturing them on the journey. We continue to seek your partnership in this ministry so that God’s kingdom will grow. Like the Ethiopian eunuch, you can read how Michael's life was transformed on pages 22-23. We pray that:

"many more lives will be transformed by Jesus in the next 20 years and beyond!"

‘‘As we sat with the possibility of becoming redundant, we sensed God inviting us to a new way forward. There was one glaring opportunity...’’

1 They show that for Gen Z (10-24 year olds), 39% identified as Christian, 10% with other religions, 44% specified no religion and 7% declined to respond. This can be compared with the 2016 results, which showed that 48% of under 18s were Christian and only 34% were not religious.

Simon Mills, Lunchtime Group Member

on me becoming a Christian.

Katherine Shields, Lunchtime Group Member and Volunteer

CEO: Tim Clare

,

ANNA'S story

worked through the significance of the language and what we are actually praying when we say that prayer. “Your will be done” – that’s no small thing – it’s a relinquishing of control over something because God’s will may not align with my hoped for outcome – it’s really worth thinking about the words that we can so often pray casually. I still think about it today.

WHY DID YOU VOLUNTEER WITH MUSTARD?

It was early days for Mustard, and I think I just thought this is a valuable thing to be involved with. I liked the people. I liked applying creativity to a Christian setting that's not normally done in that way. I liked challenging people’s expectations about religion… to say "that doesn’t represent my experience".

HOW DID YOU FIRST GET INVOLVED WITH MUSTARD?

I can’t really remember, it was so long ago. I had just moved to Australia and my family went to St Hilary’s. It may have been their Youth Minister, Pete Carolane, who invited me to the Lunchtime Group he led at Carey, thinking “Poor English girl, who doesn’t have any friends”, or it may have been Tim, who was a member of that group, who I met in my very first German class.

WHAT DO YOU REMEMBER ABOUT YOUR LUNCHTIME GROUP?

I was the only girl! But the boys were welcoming and I am still friends with some of them today. We were all quite busy but we made an effort to go along. It was a pretty intellectual group so we had some great discussions, but it was also really relaxed. I remember Pete wore his Birkenstocks (his Jesus sandals), which we all thought was hilarious. There was one other thing that I still remember. We did this series where we focused on a line of the Lord's Prayer each week. As a result, we really

Anna has been part of Mustard from 2003 and has since served faithfully in various roles.

WHAT WERE SOME OF YOUR HIGHLIGHTS WHEN LEADING THE MUSTARD LIVE SCHOOL PROGRAMS?

Scotch was always epic. The students there were fun and easy to engage with. They had the attitude “It’s Faith Week, so we might as well make the most of it”. They asked really thoughtful questions.

I remember going back to my old school, Carey, and doing a seminar on a roasting hot day. We spoke about Jesus and the woman at the well and had the chance to talk about how controversial Jesus’ behaviour was – like a Carlton supporter befriending a Collingwood supporter (haha!). A couple of the teachers made a special effort to thank us for our presentation and told us how valuable it was having a former student come back, speak about Jesus and have fun with the students.

My favourite creative thing we did was at Korowa. We made all these miniature installations around the school based on the artist Slinkachu. We made little scenes

out of model railway characters that were about 2cm tall. They were doing different things around the school, like sliding on a leaf, paddling in the puddle at the bottom of the bubbler.

It was really cool when the Lunchtime Groups were involved, to see their ideas and how they wanted to engage with their friends. I remember they took the lead in one chapel service and it was great to see them present something about their faith in front of their peers.

WHY DID YOU JOIN THE BOARD?

The simple answer is I was asked! I had always been really involved. It felt like a natural progression for my involvement. I didn’t want to finish my connection with Mustard.

HOW YOU WOULD DESCRIBE MUSTARD?

An amazing support and encouragement for students who love Jesus. Lunchtime Groups give students opportunities to share their faith in their school, but it also helps

them know that they are not alone, that others in the same environment also have a relationship with Jesus that they value. It’s a fantastic way to incorporate your faith into your busy school routine, and to make sure it goes beyond Sundays!

HOW HAS MUSTARD IMPACTED YOUR FAITH?

I have benefited hugely from being involved in Mustard in the various ways that I have been, as it has kept my faith flowing through all aspects of my life. I loved that part of my job was to think about how we might creatively introduce people to Jesus and surprise them with the fact that He is both man and God, who loves fiercely, whose life is relevant to ours now and He wants to have a relationship with them – how amazing!

IF YOU WERE TO DESCRIBE MUSTARD IN ONE WORD, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

‘‘...I liked challenging people’s expectations about religion… to say "that doesn’t represent my experience".

BY NICOLE MAYALL

8 groups in the South

8 groups in the North

TASMANIA

It has been a big 12 months for Mustard in Tasmania. We have been working hard to forge connections with churches and schools across the state and people are becoming more aware of us and what we are doing for students in Tasmania.

I personally have been encouraged by the number of people who are supporting us in prayer and who have taken an interest in my role and what we are trying to achieve. I would like to thank you all for your words of encouragement and faithful prayers.

The start of 2022 was far from smooth in Tasmania. COVID-19 didn’t really impact our state until the borders opened in December 2021 and, for the whole of first term and part of second term, schools imposed tight restrictions and partial lockdowns to try to control the spread.

This limited the contact we could have with students and teachers and we missed out on the crucial planning

phase of the year which made it hard to gain momentum throughout the rest of the year.

First term in 2023 has been a different story! We have had some wonderful interactions with schools, teachers and students, and have been able to mentor several student leaders and help them

students to flood our high schools. We now have eight schools in Southern Tasmania receiving various levels of support from Mustard.

It has been encouraging to see that we are building a reputation as a presenter of chapel services and Christian seminars.

It was a joy to be involved in the Year 9 retreat at Geneva Christian College and run a full day leadership program for the student leaders at Southern Christian College.

start Lunchtime Groups. It has been so encouraging to see students on fire for their faith and keen to lead in their schools.

I have also connected with a Christian primary school who are planning to start a Lunchtime Group where the Grades 5 & 6 students will be mentored and taught skills in facilitating group discussion throughout the year. I am so excited about this, as our grade 6 students are the next generation of

Late in 2022, I was finding myself stretched to be available to schools in both the north and south of the state. Through the networks I had been building, I met Toby Verhaegh at Door of Hope Church in Launceston. Toby was working for the church as well as a chaplain at a local high school. He expressed an interest in being involved in Mustard and, through God’s providence, we have been able to engage Toby as our Northern Student Support Coordinator.

"It has been so encouraging to see students on fire for their faith and keen to lead in their schools."

As Toby is local to the north of the state, he is able to connect with schools through his personal networks and provide a physical presence that has been a blessing to the local students and saves me the three hour drive north. Toby quickly inspired several students within his church youth group and soon after a new Lunchtime Group started at Launceston College.

There are now four groups in the north, with another four ready to start in June. Praise God for how quickly the students have taken up the call to be leaders for Jesus in their schools.

We would appreciate your prayers for the funding of Mustard. Our state’s small population and wide distribution, can make fundraising a challenge in

Tasmania. We have been blessed to receive a grant that has brought us this far, but we will need to source other funding going forward. God is a God of abundance and provision, so we are trusting that He will help us raise the funds needed to carry Mustard in Tasmania forward into the future, so more students can be empowered to lead their peers to Jesus.

I have been so encouraged by the joy and zeal I have witnessed in the students I have worked with in the past 12 months and I am excited to see what they can achieve as they live out their faith in their school communities over the next 12 months.

BY JACQUI MAYNARD

SOUTH

AUSTRALIA

secondary school subject called Vetamorphis. Two students are running a Lunchtime Group as the placement component of this course.

I have worked with children and young people for many years, across camps, schools and the church. I know first-hand the immense need our students have to hear the gospel and to know there is power in Jesus' name. It has been such a blessing to have ongoing employment in this vocation over the years, and now as Mustard's South Australian Director, presenting the gospel, enabling students to meet Jesus for the first time and to grow in their faith.

Working alongside me is Bethany Pillay, a recent graduate from Cedar College in Adelaide. As the South Australian Student Movement Coordinator for Mustard, Bethany’s youthfulness and energy enable her to connect with our young leaders in profound and fun ways. (Let alone her being a Godsend in the field of social media!)

In South Australia, relationship is the driving force behind commencing and growing any business. Consequently,

I've been so grateful to my friends for becoming prayer supporters, school advisors and ministry connections since August last year, when Mustard began operating in South Australia.

These relationships have enabled the vision of Mustard to be heard, but it’s through God’s grace and students’ inherent need for their lives to be transformed by Jesus, that our reach has extended beyond the first conversation. The vision and mission of Mustard is contagious and I have been encouraged by the receptiveness of so many.

We have been invited to present promotional spots at two of the main Christian camps, and also at the statewide Baptist Youth Gathering. We have also made a close connection with Veta, who run an approved

In 2022, Mustard partnered with Cedar College to present the "Not Ashamed" Conference. This is a day when Christian students gather to be encouraged in sharing their faith in their own mission field; their schools. One of the stunning moments is seeing students pray for each other and their schools. Mustard is again partnering with Cedar for the 2023 Conference.

This year we have more than 150 students who will be attending from 8 different schools.

We will also be partnering with Bible Society Australia to help run their Youth Bible Masterclass. This is another wonderful opportunity to further equip young Christians to grow in, and share their faith.

I have been welcomed into churches and am seeking to build ongoing partnerships. One of the recent highlights was attending the Austral-

Hi!Renee (new student leader in SA) shares her story on page 29

7 Schools

6 Churches, Camps & Conferences

Asian Community Church where we jointly commissioned the student leaders of Glenunga International High School and Adelaide High School as missionaries in their schools.

Like other states, we have strict limitations on how Christianity can be shared in the public-school setting. As a result, it brings me such joy to have three public schools with active Mustard Lunchtime Groups and to have another two sign up recently.

One of the joys of working with these school leaders, is seeing their faces light up when they hear about, and then partake in, being part of the Mustard family. They are so excited to connect with student leaders from other schools and share their journeys together.

Not being in a Christian school, the idea of worshipping with other students, discussing Jesus openly and praying together is something that is irreplaceable. Through the empowerment of Mustard these

8 Lunchtime Groups 2 Organisational Partners

student leaders have brought this precious gift into their schools.

With the easier pathway into Christian schools, we are fortunate to have

As you can imagine, we’re really encouraged by what God is doing through Mustard SA. As well as an increase in the number of Lunchtime Groups this year, and the two upcoming conferences, we are also excited about the presentation of the movie "I’m Not Ashamed", SA’s first Supporter Dinner, and the Walk the Way fundraiser. We’re also planning some Chapel presentations at schools. It definitely keeps us busy, but we wouldn’t have it any other way.

five groups operating in SA, with another three schools showing interest. For these young people, and their chaplains, they appreciate the support, resources, networking, and training that Mustard provides.

I believe it speaks volumes when a school doesn't see the value of their group coming under the Mustard banner, but then they hear about what we do. By the end of the meeting they are keen to come on board.

"One of the joys of working with these school leaders, is seeing their faces light up when they hear about, and then partake in, being part of the Mustard family."

MUSTARD

STUDENT MOVEMENT

The Mustard Student Movement is a network of passionate and faithful Christian students committed to living out their faith and making a Kingdom impact in their high school communities.

written by Faith Battistella & Ella Tregale

HOW WE support students

Mustard Lunchtime Groups are student-led communities that gather on a weekly basis to explore faith in Jesus, encourage one another, and live out their faith by multiplying disciples in their schools.

61 Groups

75 Student Leaders

We believe that students most effectively live out their faith and make disciples at school when they do so in community. It is for this reason that Mustard encourages student leaders to form Lunchtime Groups as missional communities, where they can express their faith and calling. Christian and non-Christian students meeting together every week creates a powerful environment where Jesus can be explored in a real and meaningful way at school.

Kickstart Meetings mark the beginning of a student's leadership journey. Here, they get to meet with our team and we support them in the planning process to start their Lunchtime Group.

Kickstart Meetings

Twice a term, we host Zoom meetings to empower student leaders from different schools to connect with the Mustard team, and to pray for one another. Students have the opportunity to share how their Lunchtime Group is going and to receive training on topics such as: goal setting, group dynamics, and reaching out to your school community.

The Mustard Hub

The Mustard Hub is our online web-app where students can access a variety of Bible study resources, training, and ideas from the whole Mustard community.

One-on-one Mentoring

We train and equip mentors to listen to, encourage, pray over and speak into the lives of our student leaders, because we care about the spiritual growth and leadership development of our students. We assign specific mentors to students, as well as care for these students as Mustard staff members.

Student Leader Zoom Meetings

Naomi Tesdorpf, Mustard Live Volunteer

Michael's journey to become a Christian started in a Mustard Seminar at a school retreat

INTERVIEW STORY Michael's

We met up with Michael at his home on a crisp autumn morning, before he began his workday as an Infectious Diseases doctor. Michael ushered us away from a few scattered toys (evidence of his young children’s play area) and past his desk, where he’d return later that morning to work from home.

Once we were seated, Michael shared how he connected with Mustard at his school, Carey Baptist Grammar.

“I first heard of Mustard when they came to do a two-hour session at our Year 10 retreat. They ran a session about Jesus and His life and His message for all of us. The retreat happened a couple of weeks after the death of a close friend, someone I'd known since primary school. They died very suddenly and unexpectedly in an accident at the beach. I think that brought up for me a whole lot of questions that I never really thought about. As a 15-year-old, you think you're indestructible. Death and what happens after you die was not something that I’d ever thought about.

Despite having heard some gospel messages from chaplains, having gone to a Christian school, the message from Mustard took on a whole new relevance to me.

On the basis of that, I went to church for the first time a week later. Wonderfully enough the sermon I heard preached that day was about the lost sheep - that we are all called and all loved, but many of us, for whatever reason, have gone astray, like sheep who

might follow clumps of grass, maybe it's personal accolades, maybe it's chasing after money or fame or just disinterest in God. I became aware of God's personal call for me, His personal love for me. On the basis of that, I became a Christian that day.”

Whilst Michael made a decision to become a Christian on that particular day, he reflects that:

“The journey for me, particularly over the next couple of years, was one of questioning and learning. I think there were two really formative influences in my life in that time. One was my Mustard group, which gave me the opportunity to get together with my peers and explore with them the implications of this decision that I'd made and what it meant to me going forward. The other was a wonderful old, retired chaplain who taught me Texts and Traditions. He was not only my teacher for my exams, but really a teacher in life. He had a lot of wisdom to draw upon. So, I think those two things really shaped the early days of my faith journey and allowed me to cement and understand the consequences and significance of this one decision that I made that evening to become a Christian.”

Michael considers that the legacy the Mustard Lunchtime Group gave him was a really firm grounding in his faith.

“In those early days in becoming a Christian [I was thinking]: ‘How does my decision influence my relationships; how does this influence what I want to do with my life; how

does it influence my interactions with money, with justice, with my family, with all sorts of things?’ And so, having a group of peers at a similar stage, to go through all of those questions, to explore it in a safe space with people who I was meeting with every week; I think that really helped me to lay a very firm foundation as I worked through a lot of these formative questions. Looking back, I think that I have relied upon some of those decisions or some of those grapplings that I had early on; they’ve stood me in good stead in the years to come. They have shaped my family, the way that I’m trying to raise my two daughters, the way I see God’s vision for the world and how I do my work.”

Asked to describe Mustard in one word, Michael pondered and then said:

“Transformative...I think that those teenage years are so formative for so many reasons: as you’re developing a sense of your place in the world, and how you see yourself and your relationships. And I think the ability of Mustard to allow young Christians, or young people who are exploring Christianity, to do that with their peers is incredibly important and it is transformational in how people will live their lives, not only during their school years, but going forward. And I guess I’m a testament to that. Some of the things that I’m doing now were shaped by the conversations that I had as a result of Mustard almost 20 years ago.”

Michael thinks back to that Mustard seminar at the Year 10 retreat and sees it as ‘a sliding doors moment’.

“If it wasn’t for Mustard coming along when I was grappling with the trauma and death that I experienced, I may not have ended up with a relationship with Jesus. My life could have looked dramatically different from what it is now.”

Renee Mackenzie was part of the Mustard Team who presented at the retreat...

"I remember the session really well as the school told us that the year level were reeling after the death of a classmate.

I had been asked to share about being a Christian. Part of my story was about the loss of a family member and questioning God why he let it happen. I had no idea whether I should still share it in light of the tragedy, but I did. I remember Michael came up at the end and asked a number of questions. Afterwards, we invited him to our church and he came along the next week with some friends from the retreat. It is a testament to God's power that he took my clunky 20 year old words and used them and that Michael is still a Christian today.

I think that Mustard has the capacity to meet students where they are at in their questioning and in their searching for hope and something bigger than what they can see.

That curiosity is often activated by people's stories and Mustard has a good way of doing that."

Joshua Headey, Box Hill High

Our student-led model means that Lunchtime Groups are led by students and for students. The role of Mustard is to work alongside student leaders as they plan and shape the vision and culture of their Lunchtime Groups. Whilst each Lunchtime Group is unique, they all share the same core values of the Mustard Student Movement. They are:

1

"All about Jesus"

We make Jesus the core of who we are and what we do.

2

"Scripture Centred"

3

We meet around Scripture to help us know God and understand life.

We value a physically, emotionally and spiritually safe community for everyone.

4

We cultivate loving and meaningful relationships in all we do.

5

We welcome respectful discussion of different ideas and opinions.

6

We pursue opportunities to live out our faith in tangible ways.

"A Safe Place"

"People Matter"

"Everyone Has a Voice"

"Make a Difference"

As Mustard’s mission statement is ‘Students Leading Students to Jesus’, one of my favourite things to witness in my role at Mustard is when students rise up to use their full potential in their leadership to encourage others in their spiritual journey. This is what we had the privilege of witnessing at ‘Empower’. Empower was an event run by students for students, with a special focus on students in the inner-city selective schools of Melbourne. The purpose was to challenge those that attended to be bold in their expression of faith at school and in their local communities. Mustard worked closely with Vanessa and Daniel (both student leaders of Lunchtime Groups) to support them in running the event. Read Vanessa's experience with Mustard and her testimony from the event she ran below...

VA N E S S A

I first heard about Mustard when members of the team were invited to speak at my church’s youth service back in 2019 where God prompted myself and two other girls at my school to start a Christian Lunchtime Group together. Over the years, Mustard has equipped our group with resource materials for our Bible studies and discussions. They have also supported me spiritually providing a mentor, journeying with me through the various challenges our group faced with expressing our faith openly in a public school. More recently they helped me organise an event with multiple other schools for over 40 students, where I could empower other students to live out their faith boldly at school. With the help of Mustard I have been able to cultivate an authentic community, where we are able to pursue true relationship with God and explore faith together as both Christians and non-Christians, within our public school environment where faith is sometimes a taboo topic.

I believe wholeheartedly that Mustard has played a huge role in building up myself and so many other students to lead others to Jesus so that we can make a kingdom impact in our schools.

As I reflect upon my time in school, I’m so incredibly grateful for everything that Mustard has invested into me, as I know leading and starting this group has formed a significant part of my own spiritual walk with Christ. I am confident that Mustard has sown, and will continue to sow, seeds of genuine faith, and will instil in students like myself a burning desire to see the lives of our peers transformed, within schools all across Australia.

All glory to God!

- Ella Tregale, Student Support Coordinator

Awkward Talks

Awkward talks

With the outcasts

Together as a family

Forgiveness of sins

We are loved.

Where I See God

I see God when my teachers teach And in Chapel when they preach I see God in our Lunchtime Group And when I’m with my friends, too I see God everywhere Because our awesome God IS everywhere.

Safe Place

Somewhat ridiculed hard to be Christian Christian community is really comforting and uplifting find solace with fellow Christians.

Student Poems

Arranged by CAMERON DE SILVA

We Walk

Sometimes I'm alone and not sure of where The road will lead, or if anyone cares. But Christ keeps calling, calmly, carefully Bringing me in like a ship lost at sea; And on the waves of life He won't lose me.

Born Again

In a world of little faith

Small moments can lead To great change

For the Glory of God

A room filled with people

Who do not know Can be turned to the light

With a few small words.

Where is Jesus?

At St. Andrew’s square, preaching to the masses, At the dining hall, eating with collectors of taxes, At the tuck shop, handing out free food and drink At the science building, teach people how to think. Jesus is at my school.

Cornerstone

Centre of my life

Anchored to the ground

God keeps me from straying

From my path.

Though words are bland And reading is a bore His words shine light in our lives.

Renee, can you tell us about yourself?

As you said, my name is Renee and as you can probably tell by my photo, I’m Singaporean. My family moved to Australia when I was 11 years old. I have two younger siblings who are four and 11, and are both very cute. I attend the Austral-Asian Community Church in Tusmore, here in Adelaide, and I am a student at Glenunga International High School. I am involved in a number of things at school, including being the Mustard Lunchtime Group Captain. (Captain is what the school uses to describe anyone who’s head of a Student Life Club, including ours.)

Have you always gone to the Christian group at school?

When I came to school for the first time on Transition Day (as a Year 7), I was given a lollipop and a sticker from the Christian club. I’ve been a Christian my whole life, but I was never too open about it as I was afraid of being judged and left out. So, I ate the lollipop and saved the sticker in a folder of all the “souvenirs” from my first year in high school, but I never actually went to the lunchtime group. I thought it was a little bit nerdy and weird to tell my friends I was choosing to hang out with a group of Christians instead of them.

After I turned 12, I started going to a youth group. This was when my relationship with God really started. Like I said, I’ve always been a Christian, but I can say that I never knew God. I didn’t pray, read the Bible, and I had never even had a conversation with Him. Youth group helped me explore more about Christianity and I grew in my faith. I started worshipping God freely and making good Christian friends, but I was still a Friday night Christian!

As I matured, my journey with God continued and my faith grew stronger roots. I gradually started posting stories about God on my Instagram story, including sometimes adding songs about Jesus into my stories. However, I’d always cut out Jesus’ name, so people would think it was just another song about unconditional love.

You are now the captain of the Mustard group. What changed?

It all changed when I went to a youth group event (Eastern Youth United). After some worship and teaching, we got into groups based on which school we attended with the purpose of praying for our school. The pastor who was with our group asked if we had a Christian club at school. All of us knew that Glenunga did have a lunchtime group, but none of us had gone before. So, the pastor prayed over our school and encouraged us to attend. Despite being scared and nervous, I went along. The first time I went, I knew that this lunchtime group was such a wonderful community. Everyone was really friendly. After consistently attending the lunchtime group, I realised the importance of a Christian community, that it was great to have a space where, as Christians in a public school, we could meet, encourage each other, study the Bible, pray and share at school. I have made great friends and have grown so much deeper in my faith. I can now say that I am unashamed of my Christian faith and would be willing to spread the gospel to those interested, as it is a privilege to share the good news of Jesus.

How has Mustard helped you?

Mustard has been awesome. Jacqui and Bethany have spent time with me to help plan a program for our Lunchtime Group, think strategically about how to grow students' faith and encouraged me as I've stepped out of my comfort zone. It has been really cool to be connected with other student leaders in both South Australia and nationally, as our regular Zoom meetings provide an opportunity to share experiences about our Lunchtime Groups and pray for each other, which is really special. I am really looking forward to the upcoming 'Not Ashamed' Conference in Adelaide where lots of Christian students will be able to talk about how we can share our faith at school. Jacqui also came to my church recently and commissioned me as a leader. This was a big step in helping my church pray for me and see me as a local missionary. Thanks so much Mustard!

Presbyterian Ladies' College partnered with Mustard to host a conference gathering 53 students from 8 different schools across Victoria! Students got to learn, worship, and pray together. It was a great opportunity to discuss what it’s like to be a Christian in school, how to navigate the challenges, and how to be leaders of faith! One of the highlights was our Student Leader Panel, where our Mustard student leaders shared about their experiences leading a Lunchtime Group in their schools.

A REASON TO HOPE conferences

OWN IT. is our annual leadership conference where we provide discipleship training to equip students to be leaders for Jesus in their schools.

In 2022 we ran two of these eventsone of which chaplains also attended, to connect with their students and have their own round table discussion with other chaplains.

This year (2023) we intend to run OWN IT in September with a new twist. Stay tuned for details!

46 CHALLENGE TAKERS

8 TEAMS

91 DONORS

2022

Make a Ripple was our Student Movement peer-to-peer fundraiser last year. Lunchtime Groups signed up as a team to perform acts of kindness to 'make a ripple' in their school community. We provided each group with a 'Choose Your Own Adventure' challenge map so they could decide which activity they wanted to complete on each of the five days. Students put sticky notes of encouragement on other students' lockers, wrote letters to teachers, baked cupcakes for staff and much more.

$223 AVERAGE RAISED PER CHALLENGE TAKER

student fundraisers

2023

Walk the Way is our brand new fundraiser which will be a one-day event. This year we will also be inviting youth groups from across the country to participate with our Lunchtime Groups.

Each state has their own challenge event, all happening on the 21st October. Victoria's challenge is a relay where each team has 9 hours to walk 100kms collectively. In South Australia, Challenge Takers walk from Adelaide to Henley Beach and back (20km), or just one way (10km).

There will be food, music and special guests.

SEMINARS & CHAPELS

Mustard seminars and chapel services seek to engage students through a creative, informative and interactive format. Our aim is to reveal the heart of Jesus while creating a fun and engaging environment for every student!

written by Sharon Cunliffe

Last year, the world was in recovery. We were like tentative shoots emerging from the dormant isolation of lockdowns, and time was needed to mend and reconnect.

Our Seminar and Chapel Presentations leaned into this space of reconnection, with 'Uncommon Communities' emerging as our most popular theme for seminars and chapel services. We shared the importance of creating a community that recognised the Godgiven value of each individual, regardless of their achievements.

A popular game played during some of our programs uses oversized polystyrene puzzle pieces to make the point that everyone should be included in community. Given there are no clear edges to the puzzle, and the pieces are large, solving it really does take everyone being involved!

It is lots of fun to watch the players scramble as they put the giant puzzle pieces together. With the timer ticking down and other students watching, the noise, movement and adrenaline levels quickly spike to create a lively atmosphere.

Scotch College’s Faith Week was a highlight of the past year. While Mustard had partnered with the College for their Faith Week in previous years, this one was epic in its undertaking!

The seed of an idea was planted over coffee with college chaplains, Cameron Cutchie and David Assender: a LEGObased purposethemed seminar. It then quickly grew roots when Lara had remembered from watching LEGO Masters that Josh Taylor (who was a finalist in season 2) was also a chaplain.

We knew God would use this opportunity to do something amazing! It didn’t take long for us

to realise that the combination of an inspiring Christian speaker, a bunch of LEGO challenges and the message of a loving and purposeful God was going to be a winning combination for the boys (and staff)!

When Lara approached me with the idea of creating a LEGO mosaic, I was

revealed at the end of the week.

It was an ambitious undertaking, as we would be working with both primary and secondary year levels. Coordinating tween and teen boys, especially large groups of them, can be a challenge!

Another challenge was to create a board big enough to support the 800 tiles which would hold the finished mosaic artwork. It was at that point when we enlisted the expertise of Geoff from Tom’s Shed (a ministry of St Hilary’s Kew), who built a board sturdy enough to hold the 40,351 pieces of LEGO.

On the first and second day of Faith Week, both primary and secondary student groups took turns constructing their sections of the mosaic. They were also enthusiastic to attempt challenges like The Tallest Tower, Skydive Survival and Master of Construction. While Josh spoke to a crowd of attentive students, our staff and volunteers worked tirelessly to finish placing the 800 tiles onto the board.

Eventually, we saw a stunning image of Jesus emerge: Jesus, the One who we had pointed the students to throughout this Faith Week at Scotch College.

On the final day, Josh revealed the mosaic to the students and explained how this image encapsulated Jesus’ desire to have a relationship with the ones he created.

This amazing mosaic is now displayed for all students, staff and visitors to see at Scotch College.

blown away and so excited by the possibility. It was thrilling to consider the concept of creating a large mural made of tiny LEGO pieces that could be constructed in sections, so that everyone could participate in stages. The fully assembled mosaic would be

It was the combined efforts of our volunteers, Mustard staff team and our extended “Mustard family” that made Faith Week not only possible but the success that it was!

"...the combination of an inspiring Christian speaker, a bunch of LEGO challenges and the message of a loving and purposeful God was going to be a winning combination for the boys (and staff)."

Another of my personal highlights in the past year was watching Ella, our Student Support Coordinator, take on the role of becoming John Newton for our 'Amazing Grace' chapel service at Ivanhoe Girls' Grammar. It is no easy task to embody the one-time slave trafficking miscreantturned-minister and lyricist. However, Ella took on the challenge of sharing this long monologue in character, with conviction and grace (some might even say ‘amazing grace’), to an audience of inspired listeners.

Building partnerships with schools is always encouraging.

Strathcona is one such school where we have presented to the Year 9 cohort each year for many years. In Term 4 of 2022, we presented a seminar on the topic of 'Gratitude'

I explained the health benefits of gratitude and different ways to practice it. Brittany starred in a video contrasting how her day looked with and without gratitude, as well as taking part in a skit about receiving each day as a gift.

We helped students to create a communal 'gratitude jar', where they all wrote notes of things they were thankful for in different areas of their lives. They placed them in a jar at reception, so that students could pick out a note when in need of encouragement. These notes would be a reminder to keep a grateful and positive mindset throughout the day.

The highlight of this seminar was empowering two students to witness to their peers, by sharing and singing about their gratitude to God for everything in their life. The other students watching were most attentive to these girls and responded with a loud cheer at the end!

We would love to build partnerships like this with more schools. Please contact us if you're interested in having a seminar or chapel service at your school!

"The highlight was empowering two students to witness to their peers, by sharing and singing about their gratitute to God for everything in their life."

KINGDOM partnerships

We partner with local church communities and organisations to see young people activated into the missional call that God has for them in their schools.

will your church or organisation partner with us?

There are so many opportunities for Mustard to grow, but the best way to do so is with churches and organisations that share our vision for youth ministry and adopt us as one of their mission partners. Not only do these partnerships provide us with ongoing financial security and prayer support, they enable us to reach more students who in turn can lead their peers to Jesus. Contact our CEO Lara Ruddle to discuss partnering with us.

lara@mustard.org.au

Our team of experienced presenters bring Biblical teaching, testimonies, games and activities to youth group nights, aiming to inspire, equip and train young people for mission in schools.

We tell stories of former students who have made an impact in their schools, facilitate discussion for youth to discover how God is calling them to live out their faith at school, and offer them practical steps to action their vision.

YOUTH NIGHTS, CAMPS & CONFERENCES

VIC

VCYC (Victorian Christian Youth Convention)

SUTS (Summer Under the Son Conference)

Churches of Christ State Conference

Canterbury Gardens Brethren Youth

Youth Dimension Gravitate Camp

Crossway Baptist Mission Event

Cantebury Presbyterian Youth

CrossCulture Church of Christ

PLC Interschool Conference

Christian Youth Camps

St Hilary's Youth Night

St John's Youth Camp

Lighthouse Youth NEW Collective

SA

Austral-Asian Community Church

Christian Endeavour Senior Camp

Wirraway Homestead 14+ Camp

Not Ashamed Conference

Glenunga Uniting Church

Baptist Youth Fellowship

Eastern Youth United Broadview Baptist

TAS

Bishops Training Event (Northern Tasmania)

Southern Christian College Leadership Day

Geneva Christian College (Year 9 camp)

LIT Camp (Leadership In Training)

St Clements Anglican Church

Hobart City Church of Christ

Wellspring Anglican Church

Door of Hope Launceston

Mayfield Camp

Vibes Camp

Youth Alive

Our

BOARD

CHAIR NEALE MEREDITH

Neale is the Principal and CEO of the Australian College of Ministries, and has previously served in ministry through local church, state and national leadership roles. Neale also has substantial experience as a senior executive and is a veteran in the Australian youth ministry sector – a rare and valuable combination that serves the governance of Mustard well.

BOARD MEMBER ELIDA BRERETON

Elida is a long-serving board member of Mustard. She has had an impressive career as a teacher and principal, as well as a famed acting cameo role as the fictional Principal of Summer Heights High (it’s true!). Elida has served on the boards of Methodist Ladies’ College, Korus Connect and numerous other organisations.

TREASURER SAM STARKINS

Sam is the Business Manager for Bursty Advertising Services, a graduate of the Melbourne Business School, and certainly no stranger to the Mustard community. As both an inspiring Lunchtime Group leader and Mustard Schools’ Program volunteer over the years, Sam is still highly sought after as an authentic and engaging speaker for students at his old school.

BOARD MEMBER JOHN ARBUCKLE

John has been a school teacher for 30 years and is currently teaching Religious Education at Presbyterian Ladies' College. While John has taught a number of subjects over the years, he says his enduring passion is teaching RE and inspiring youth to follow Jesus in their own lives.

SECRETARY JANELLE BROOKS

Janelle has a varied background in administration and governance. She is currently the Practice Manager in a counselling centre and has qualifications in human resources, business administration and pastoral care.

Doug Crocket

Cameron De Silva

Eden Barclay

Amelie Gifford

Oscar Cheung

Andrew Nguyen

Iona Easton

Isabella Mellado

Bella Lincke

Luke Doblin

STUDENT MOVEMENT DIRECTOR

RELATIONSHIPS & ENGAGEMENT DIRECTOR

MEET THE TEAM

TOBY VERHAEGH

ELLA TREGALE

TASMANIA COORDINATOR

JOSIAH WATSON

MUSIC & STUDENT SUPPORT COORDINATOR

STUDENT SUPPORT COORDINATOR VIC

BETHANY PILLAY

STUDENT SUPPORT COORDINATOR SA

DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS & CREATIVE COORDINATOR

ACCOUNTS MANAGER

FAITH BATTISTELLA

TASMANIAN DIRECTOR

NICOLE MAYALL

SEMINARS & CHAPELS DIRECTOR

SHARON CUNLIFFE

SOUTH AUSTRALIAN DIRECTOR

JACQUI MAYNARD

CEO

LARA RUDDLE

NORTHERN

JACK HOLLOWAY

BRITTANY SPENCER

NATALIE MILLER

Financial Report

Throughout Mustard’s 20 year history, God has faithfully grown the ministry by providing through a number of income streams. Private donations have always been the most significant source, in which we are so grateful to our community of ‘Growers’ who have given over the years. We are also thankful to the churches that have faithfully supported us since we started, in particular St Hilary's Anglican Church, who continues to support us generously. We are continuing to pray that each of these income streams would increase, so that more students' lives can be reached and transformed in schools across Australia.

Staffing costs are Mustard's main expense. Staff are key to how students are empowered and inspired... they train students on Zoom, at school, in conferences, camps and youth nights, mentor students one-on-one, present large group seminars and chapels to students...all this and so much more.

Grants have been instrumental for our launch into Tasmania and South Australia, for which we are extremely grateful, but we now need raise the funds to sustain this increased staff team.

You can be part of the mission...

The Mustard family doesn’t just include our student leaders, Lunchtime Groups and staff team. It’s made up of gifted and generous supporters, volunteers and donors. Without them, we couldn’t do what we do.

Will you join with us to see students' lives transformed by Jesus?

Pray

If you’d like to join us in praying for students as they lead other students to Jesus, you can subscribe to our email updates or come along to our prayer gatherings. For more information, please visit:

mustard.org.au/pray

Give Volunteer

Our gracious God has provided for Mustard through the generous support of donors for many years. We have so many opportunities to grow and see even more students come to know Jesus. We’d value your support to see this happen. You can do this by donating online at:

mustard.org.au/donate

Leave a gift in your Will

We’re blessed to have a number of people who volunteer with us – but we’d love for more people to join us so that we can do even more for Jesus in schools. We need musicians and presenters for our chapel services and seminars. We also need mentors for our student leaders and administrative help in the office.

mustard.org.au/join

Another way to support our mission is to leave a gift in your Will (a bequest) to Mustard. You will be investing in the next generation of student leaders, and helping to take the gospel into more schools around Australia. Your bequest can be a fixed sum of money, a particular asset such as real estate, or a percentage of your estate.

We would love to hear from you if you have included Mustard in your Will. We would like to thank you personally for your generosity, and our CEO, Lara, would love to take you out for a coffee. Please contact: lara@mustard.org.au

Ella was further encouraged to share God’s love and truth with her fellow students and her friends. That passion continues and her ability to influence many more students to lead and share the gospel has extended further with the support and encouragement she gives to other young people who are just like she was as a student."

Jodi Tregale, parent of Ella (past PLC leader and current Student Support Coordinator at Mustard)

Lizzie Cooper, Blackburn High

because it can feel crazy and hectic to add a Lunchtime Just knowing that sometimes things will feel out of

"Mustard played a huge role in introducing me to Jesus as a teenager and growing my faith as a young adult."

- Katherine Shields, Past student and volunteer

"Through the powerful ministry of Mustard, lives are changed, faith is sharpened and Jesus is glorified. Praise the Lord for Mustard!"

- Ben Pocklington, Past Mustard intern