Territory’s youth kick-start 2025 with sizzling Summer Parties

2 days ago2 min read

Youth & Young Adults Specialist John Marion and Mission Events Co-ordinator Sarah Manase at the Victoria Division Summer Party at Funfields Themepark in Whittlesea.

BY ANTHONY CASTLE

Hundreds of young people gathered across the Australia Territory in February to kick off 2025 with Summer Party events.

“Summer Parties across Australia were a fun way to start the year and launch our new youth music initiative, Salvos Youth United (SYU),” says Melissa Purcell, Territorial Youth and Young Adults Secretary.

“Our hope is that these events help young people feel comfortable bringing their friends to hear the good news of Jesus.”

More than 860 young people gathered at theme parks and Salvo churches in different states and divisionsfor the events. Evening rallies provided a chance for young people to share a meal, worship God, and hear the Good News of Jesus.

“Thank you to our incredible leaders for giving their time to make our young people feel so welcome and to meet them where they’re at,” said Claire Castley, Youth and Young Adults Secretary for WA.

“We’re so excited for what’s to come for our ministries to youth and young adults in 2025.”

Young Salvos in Victoria spent the day at Funfields Themepark, before heading to Craigieburn Salvos for dinner and worship.

South Australian youth went to Waterworld Aquatic Centre and then finished the day at Golden Grove Salvos for worship.

Young people having fun at the South Australia/Northern Territory Division’s Summer Party worship night.

“We had an awesome day with just on 100 youth and leaders gathering for Summer Parties in SA,” says Marj Rava, Youth and Young Adults Secretary for SA, NT, and TAS.

“There is something good about coming together, having fun, worshipping and listening to God's word.”

In New South Wales, more than 300 young people gathered at Jamberoo Action Park before heading to Wollongong Salvos for a rather large dinner order.

Wollongong Salvos was pumping for the NSW/ACT Division praise and worship evening.

“After the park closed, we made our way to Wollongong Salvos, where their incredible volunteer team cooked over 300 burgers for our dinner,” said Sarah Walker, Youth and Young Adults Secretary for NSW/ACT. “And we had a fantastic time worshipping together with Salvos Youth United (SYU).”

Western Australian young people met at Kings Park, spending the evening at the Salvos’ Third Place in Subiaco.

Queensland youth met at Wet N’ Wild and then went to Gold Coast Salvos for a worship evening.