Young people in Years 6-8 at school are well catered for at St. Alban's. On Sunday mornings the Fungus group caters for this age group. On Friday nights EPIC Jnr also caters for this age group. Although these two groups target young people in the same age range, they are very different groups with very different objectives.
 

 
The main aim of Fungus is discipleship. Fungus is attended predominantly by youth whose parents go to the Sunday 10am gathering. They are generally from Christian homes and many of them have been attending the Sunday morning children's programs since before they could walk. The leaders at Fungus are seeking to help them work out what it means to follow Jesus as people who are at High School (or will soon be at High School). At Fungus, each Sunday morning, the leaders and the young people spend some time playing games and activities, then they do a bible study, then they have morning tea together.  

EPIC Jnr is attended by a mix of people – some who are from Christian homes and some who are not. EPIC Jnr has two main objectives. The first objective is to disciple young Christians and build them up in their faith. The second objective is to share the gospel with those young people that attend that are not yet Christians. Thus, EPIC Jnr has a more evangelistic in its focus than Fungus. This focus is helped by the fact that EPIC is held on Friday nights and it is big, loud and lots of fun. The leaders ensure that every talk and every discussion group is accessible and understandable for new people. EPIC Jnr is an easy place to invite friends to and over the last two terms we have seen about a dozen new faces at EPIC Jnr – almost all of these were invited by friends who are regulars. 

It is my belief that Christian youth in Years 6-8 would be well served by going to both groups – EPIC Jnr and Fungus. It is my fear that a young person who only attends Fungus would miss out on the important opportunities EPIC Jnr provides in regards to discipleship, evangelism and being connected socially with a wider circle of Christians in their own age group.  All the details for EPIC Jnr are available on the youth page: Youth 

Please pray for the important ministry happening each week at Fungus and EPIC Jnr to students in Years 6-8. Pray that God would help the leaders teach his word with great patience and careful instruction. Pray that the young people would grow in their own love for Jesus and that they would have a growing desire to see their friends come to trust and follow Jesus.

- Adam