Te Whāriki Tapu
– The Sacred Weave
What is Te Whāriki Tapu?
Camps offer a powerful, life-changing experience which can pack a year’s worth of ministry and relational connection into a week or weekend! A camp can be a real "mountain top" moment for a young person. Growth doesn't stop when the bus gets home though. That's why we connect camps with the churches and organisations who can keep journeying alongside young people all year round.
How it works
We come together in connection co-ops, local groups that meet once a term over kai to make things happen together. Co-ops are open to camps, churches and organisations who care about their community, are committed to sharing the love and hope of Jesus, and are keen to work collaboratively.
Through the TWT co-op, you can:
Draw on a camp sponsorship pool to send campers from your school or community to camp
Send young leaders alongside them, so leadership development happens in step with outreach
Build real relationships with camps and other churches doing the same mahi near you
Create pathways for campers to land in a youth group or ministry afterwards, so camp isn't a one-off, it's a beginning
This model is already running in Christchurch, with camps and churches across various denominations working side by side and we are now extending this model into additional regions.
Why it matters
Camps working alone often run short on people and resources, and struggle to place young people into a church community afterwards. Many churches are often already supporting young people in their community, but would love to do more to share the hope of Jesus and grow young leaders. When camps, churches and organisations work together, we can be even more impactful!
About the TWT National Coordinator
James Harris has spent over 20 years in youth ministry; as a youth pastor, camp director, and youth worker in schools. He is currently Manager of CDN Trust, co-founder of Upstream, and National Coordinator of Te Whāriki Tapu.
James is passionate about the impact camps have on young people, and equally about the importance of connection to a local church for ongoing discipleship. He's also seen first-hand the impact that volunteering at camp has on young leaders. Get in touch and James can help you get connected with your local TWT co-op.
