Born to Serve
It all began in a far off place. A land of tall buildings and smoggy sunrises. Courtney Matheson first heard about God through her Christian nanny while her family lived in Hong Kong. She was two years old and had no idea about the incredible plans God had for her life.
Fast forward six years to an eight year old Courtney. She followed her friends to KUCA (Kids of the Uniting Church in Australia) at Pittwater Uniting Church (PUC) where the stirrings of a real living faith would begin. After her parents completed the Alpha course they eventually began going to Pittwater regularly. It wasn't until Courtney was ten years old did the reality of a living God finally hit home. At the tender age of twelve years old, God spoke to Courtney about mission. He told her "you are born to do this". Throughout high school, Courtney was frustrated by her age and the strength of her desire to serve God in the mission field as she felt too young to do anything.
After finishing school, Courtney was asked to become a youth leader and she graciously declined; " I didn't think it was my thing". However, after leading youth at Camp Kedron, her perspective was changed. "God spoke to me about youth ministry, about connecting with the girls".
One of the hardest things for Courtney is seeing the exodus of many young women and girls in the search for affection and affirmation outside the church. "They have missed God as the first love in their life." The lures of life apart from God seem to have overwhelmed many of our young women and this drives Courtney's desire to minister to the girls at youth.
Courtney also uses her passion for mission in the youth arena. She often gives talks to inspire the youth to look beyond their own backyard and into the places in the world of greatest need.
Two years out of school and Courtney feels like she does not have a clear calling from God but she feels God has been guiding her steps; "At the moment it is about building character, knowledge and skills." Currently, Courtney is recovering from Glandular Fever and studying Human Resource Management at TAFE. She recalls a talk Wes Harder gave in youth alpha where he talked about "how cool it is to be on an adventure with God; a rollercoaster. I know where my heart is at even though I don't know the big picture."
At nineteen years of age, Courtney is the youngest member on church council which she describes as "humbling". When God called her to this position Courtney said " God you're crazy, do you know how old I am?". God nodded and showed her 2 Kings where King Josiah was coronated when he was only eight years old.
This was a clear sign from God that Courtney is in the right place at the right time. It is a daunting experience as she is surrounded by people she has grown up admiring. One of her main influences are Cliff and Marion Powell; "watching them from afar, seeing how they walk with God, so consistently and they love the house of God with a heart for mission". Courtney brings her own love for church into the church council. She has such a deep desire for others to value community and be committed to the church family. She says "if we all used our gifts, tithing and built community, we would be functioning as we should be."
It seems that Courtney's missions are piling up! That perhaps God has more than one current mission for her life. Not only does she lead youth and partake in church council, but she also works at the Sport and Recreation Centre at PUC one day a week. She is inspired by the team led by Fiona Wheeler and the potential for hundreds to know God's love perhaps for the first time. She sees this centre as "an important ministry, there are at least 600 players plus spectators which is a great outreach opportunity."
Courtney's passion for life and for a living, breathing faith in God is inspirational because it is genuine. She is not simply adherring to religious doctrine but attempting to live out her faith in tangible ways. Who knows where this will take her. It all began in a far off place, will Courtney be called far away or simply continue to minister to the church, youth girls and sport fanatics? As her journey continues, please uphold her in your prayers as God leads her on.
