I was born and raised in beautiful South Africa, and grew up in Kwazulu Natal in the shadow of the Drakensburg mountains. At age 16 I moved to Canada with my family, and embraced all the opportunities that Canada had to offer.
After completing high school I attended Tyndale Bible College for 3 years. In 2004 I worked for Youth for Christ in Toronto for 2 years, running a sports outreach program for young people in the community. After gaining experience working as an outreach worker with YFC I moved to Orillia, Ontario. Where I did a 1 year Pastoral Internship with Orillia Community Church. After which I was invited as the Youth Pastor a position which I held for the following year, the end of 2007.
Having lived in South Africa I have seen the need in African countries, and God has rekindled a desire in me to return and serve Him among the people in Africa. I have previously been on one mission trip myself to Haiti with Medical Missions International. Mission work is no stranger to me or my family, as both sets of my grandparents were missionaries in Africa.
In January 2008 I started a non-for-profit mission organization called "AMPED 2 GO International Leadership Exchange". (To find out more information please check - www.amped2go.com) In 2008 I ran two trips. I am the Executive Director for the mission and work under a volunteer base of board of directors. The mission is moving forward and I will be going on a trip In August of this year with another team. The website is being built as a training tool for canadian young people and I am very excited to see how and where God will lead the mission and my involvement as we continue to start and build this new mission.
In 2009 I started attending Simcoside. I was looking for a church with traditional format, but also a church that was family oriented and very friendly and focused on serving their community and building into the lives of their young people. I love the messages every Sunday and the worship is amazing. I started as student pastor with the youth in December of 2009 and have already fallen in love with all the kids and the job. I get so excited about having the opportunity to build into the lives of our young people and to see them grow and see their hearts change to love their neighbors and become servant leaders. I love to prepare fun creative games and fun activities, but more importantly, love taking the time to prepare solid, creative talks, that teach the kids more about God and the Bible.
As we move through this next year with each event and program and fun activity, join with me and our team as we pray for our young people in our church and our community.
Thanks...
I am excited to see where God takes me from here on in!
Shaun Sparrow
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