Donate today to help train leaders within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander churches and communities. Together we can help build strong communities.

This Advent and Christmas, ABM AID’s appeal is raising funds to support Nungalinya and Wontulp-Bi-Buya Colleges as they train Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to be leaders in their communities.

Wontulp-Bi-Buya College was established 40 years ago, and Nungalinya College 50 years ago this year. Together, they have proudly transformed the lives of so many who strive to explore and live out their Christian faith.

The story of Wontulp-Bi-Buya College student, Megan, highlights the impact that these organisations are having.

Megan’s family were Traditional Owners from K’gari and Booraloola, but she was raised in Brisbane. Her family were deeply affected by their disconnection from Country as part of the Stolen Generations.

Through Wontulp-Bi-Buya College in North Queensland, Megan has completed courses in managing addiction, community development, and Indigenous mental health, and she is currently undertaking her Certificate III in Theology and Ministry.

She is also delivering courses through Wontulp-Bi-Buya College and encouraging other students to live a healthy lifestyle more connected to culture.

This Advent and Christmas, please give generously to sustain and develop the work of both Nungalinya and Wontulp-Bi-Buya Colleges. The vital role they are playing in transforming Aboriginal lives is helping build strong communities.

Your donation will continue to create brighter futures for many more people just like Megan.

“Many Indigenous people have a yearning for Christ through knowing the word, studying the word and applying the word. It is a daily reminder of why Wontulp-Bi-Buya College exists. Our courses in Theology and Ministry, Addictions Management, Community Development, and Indigenous Mental Health remain the same but contextualisation and cultural appropriateness is the key!

AID and their support to our College is so important as it was many years ago. The Church needs us as much as we need the Church.”

The Reverend Canon Victor Joseph, Principal, Wontulp-Bi-Buya College

Prayer

We wait for you, Lord Jesus Christ,
not surrounded by snow and holly,
but by blazing sun,
ultramarine, turquoise and cerulean blue seas,
fiery bottlebrushes and crimson waratahs.

As we wait for you to come to us, Lord Jesus Christ,
as a baby in a manger,
hear our prayers for the students
at Nungalinya College
and Wontulp-Bi-Buya College,
that their studies may bring them closer to you,
you who took on human flesh and became one of us.

As we wait for you to come to us, Lord Jesus Christ,
as our Judge at the end of time,
hear our prayers for the teachers and other staff
at Nungalinya College and Wontulp-Bi-Buya College,
that whatever they teach and model,
it may point their students to know you more,
you who come to us with judgement and with mercy.

As we wait for you to come to us, Lord Jesus Christ,
as our food for the journey in your great gift of the Eucharist,
may we all prepare for that day when the redeemed shall sit and feast with you,
you who come to us as today as Bread and Wine
that we may know you more and more
as we walk together towards the heavenly banquet.

Amen.