Young people today are navigating a world filled with challenges – wrestling with their faith, concerned about the future, and wondering how they can make a real impact.
Tearfund’s I Can Make A Difference initiative is a holistic learning experience, featuring a dynamic and creative keynote presentation, student-led conversations, stories of transformation from Tearfund’s partners around the world, and a hands-on fundraising activity.
It’s about empowering the next generation – young people who are eager to understand their role in creating change through the lens of justice and faith. We believe that every young person has the potential to be a changemaker, and Tearfund is here to equip them to make that happen.
This isn’t just an event or a project – it’s about inspiring young people to learn about the challenges of global poverty, take action, and be empowered as changemakers in their own context. This experience will help students to connect their passion for justice with the foundations of Christian faith and action to create long-lasting change.
Tearfund Australia is an accredited development, relief and advocacy organisation that has worked for more than 50 years with local partner organisations across Africa, South Asia, South-East Asia and the Pacific to support long term community transformation. We are also actively involved in mobilising Australian Christians on global justice issues. Tearfund’s vision is to work towards a just and compassionate world in which all people have the opportunity to achieve their God-given potential. We believe that the next generation has a key role to play in helping create that type of world.
Who is it for?
We’ve designed this initiative to resonate deeply with young people and their leaders, particularly those in Christian schools and youth ministry settings, who are ready to be mobilised into faith-based justice initiatives.
- Students (school years 9 to 12 / 15 to 18 years old): passionate about faith, poverty and climate care, but often unsure how
to act. - Youth leaders and educators: seeking resources and frameworks to help young people link their faith with real-world action.
- Next Gen leaders (18 to 25 years old): emerging leaders motivated to influence their peers and take a broader role in social justice movements.
Key Themes
Empowerment through faith and action
The message “I can make a difference” is more than words: it’s a call to action.
Together, we can tackle injustice. With Tearfund’s support, young people can act on their faith and make a genuine and lasting impact.
Justice as integral to faith
Justice is central to our faith and reflects God’s heart for dignity, equality, and care for all of creation.
Following Jesus, we go where the need is greatest. Our work is an expression of God’s love for all people and all creation.
Invitation for young voices
Our format includes student conversations. Young people aren’t just listeners: they are critical to shaping this dialogue.
We inspire, connect and equip the next generation of Christians in Australia to learn, pray, live, give and advocate for a more just and compassionate world.
Pathways for action
We provide clear, practical ways to get involved: learn, pray, live, give, and advocate.
We’re focused on the root causes of poverty, and committed to long-term transformation. We believe the most effective way to reach this is through community-led initiatives that empower people to be change makers in their own context.
Here’s how we’ve structured the presentation
- Introduction to Tearfund: A quick overview of our mission, with stories that resonate with young people.
- Faith and justice message: Grounding justice in faith, and emphasising it as a key part of Christian life.
- Interactive participation: Engaging students with discussions, Q&A, and reflections.
- Tearfund’s five responses: Growing Christian discipleship through a “whole of life” response to poverty and injustice.
- Call to action: Practical next step including prayer, fundraising, and advocacy.
Why it works for schools and youth ministries
- Engagement: inspires and equips students around causes they care about.
- Interactive format: encourages meaningful participation and reflection.
- Trusted partnerships: tackling the root causes of poverty to bring community transformation
- Resources: workshops and materials that extend learning and action.
- Fundraising action: practical and hands-on activity that generates support for Tearfund partners.
What are others saying about I Can Make a Difference?
I can see these events increasingly becoming a key gathering point for young people, mobilising them to be the hands and feet of Jesus.
– Ben Higgins, Alpha Australia
I’m so thankful and excited that our school community can partner with a Christian organisation who is putting their faith into action to serve others. It is a wonderful opportunity for our students to see and experience what’s possible when engaging in biblical justice.
– Keith McMullen, William Carey Christian School, NSW
God cares about justice because God is good and loves what is right. Isaiah 61:8 tells us that God loves justice. It is a demonstration of his love to us.
– Year 11 student
Tearfund’s I Can Make A Difference presentation was incredibly engaging and captured the attention and imagination of our teens beyond my expectations.
– Adam Deveson, New Collective Youth Program, Victoria
Setting a fundraising goal and working towards it together is incredibly motivating for young people. You’ll join hundreds of church groups, schools, families and individuals across Australia in making a powerful impact by raising funds for Tearfund’s poverty-tackling projects.
From purchasing Useful Gifts for loved ones, to running bake sales and clothes swaps at school or church, the possibilities are endless. We’ll help you shape a fundraising activity and goal that suits your context and inspires your community to champion the efforts of your students.
And the impact is huge! The funds you raise will support our partners in their work with communities affected by poverty and marginalisation, transforming lives through improved access to safe water, life-giving maternal health care, farmers equipped with the techniques and tools they need to thrive, and more.
For more info or to book Tearfund’s I Can Make A Difference
Complete the form below and our team will follow up with you to plan a presentation and fundraising activity.