The Howie program is a two-year apprenticeship working with students and staff on campus at Sydney University. Howies have opportunities to serve, grow, be mentored, and reflect on their ministry. The three second-year Howies – Alex, Hamish and Matt – have taken the chance to share some of what they’ve learned from their apprenticeship as it comes to a close.

Alex – What is God doing in this situation, and how can I be a part of it?

Starting out as a Howie, I likened the experience to drinking from a fire hose. There are so many people to meet and serve, so many activities to get involved with, and so much to learn along the way. Over the course of the two years, I’ve learned that the nature of ministry means there is always more ministry that you could be doing, if only you had the capacity for it.

Ministry requires you to shift from an achievement mindset of “What can I do for God?” to the humility of Paul Tripp’s maxim “What is God doing in this situation, and how can I be a part of it?”

We are finite creatures, and God invites us as finite people into his work not because we can do it all, but because he wants to do his work with us. I have been blessed to see God work powerfully in, through and despite my weakness to bring people to Christ, to disciple believers, and my prayer is that he may raise up many more workers for his global harvest field from the community I have had the honour of serving.

What has God been doing in the EU community? More than I could ever fathom or be capable of achieving.

How have I been a part of it? In weakness, in prayer, by God’s grace, and with tremendous joy.

Hamish – Howie Cost-Benefit Analysis

“So, you’re going to work for the EU for two years, raise your own money, and finish without any qualification or certificate?”

That was the question someone at church asked in 2023 when I shared my plans to be a Howie.

 “Why would you do that? It sounds like it asks a lot from you.”

They weren’t wrong. It has been taxing, support raising hasn’t always been fun, and the only certificate I’ve received is a “Top Two Howie Award” from some students (I won’t name the other Howie). So, was it worth it?

Any true Business and Law student would tell you “worth” comes down to cost-benefit. I’ve felt the costs (though God has used even those to refine me). But what of the benefits? What is the reward??

Paul answers this in 1 Thessalonians 2:19–20, a passage I’ve been reflecting on while preparing for BizLaw Days Away: “For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? Indeed, you are our glory and joy.”

Seeing God’s people grow in Christ is a joy and will be on the day Jesus returns. The Howie program has been precious training for ministry in a world that needs Jesus—and yes, I did win that person at church over in the end.

Matt – What God cares about in ministry

I’ve been really challenged by what God cares about in ministry. When trying to adjust to the new role of being a Howie, I found there were a lot of things I could fill my time with. As I went on, though, I realised that it was easy to let things which had a deadline squeeze out things which always need to be happening. It was hard to find time to pray for the students and staff I work with. Hard to keep time to stick around and have those valuable chats that often happen after bible studies officially finish. It made me remember that diligence in admin and prep work is important. But prayer and ministering to people must be the end goal.

None of this is particularly profound. But it did make me reflect on what God cares about. God’s focus in ministry is people, particularly their hearts. The programs and admin are precious and important parts of doing so. But I was challenged to resist the urge to be busy and focus on the people God put in front of me. It has pushed me to think about how God loves these people.

Completing the Howie program isn’t the end of the story for Alex, Hamish and Matt. Here are their plans for what comes next!

Alex: Full-time study at Moore College to set me up for ministry long-term

Hamish: Studying teaching to pursue ministry/ chaplaincy in high school.

Matt: I’ll be studying part-time at SMBC, working, and discerning if ministry is a suitable aim in light of the traineeship.

Would you join us in thanking God for all he has done in and through the departing Howies, and pray that he would bless them in their studies, provide for those who will care for their faculties as they leave, and for God to raise many more workers for his harvest field?