Ethan Hosking (second from right) and the rest of his Off the GRID experience team.
Forty days without technology. No scrolling, no notifications—just God’s Word, Christian community, and the beauty of God’s creation. For a generation of young adults who’ve grown up with phones in their hands, the Off the GRID experience is a remarkable opportunity.
“It’s very different from anything I’ve ever done before. It was a packed schedule, but in a good way. It was a unique experience.”
Ethan Hosking grew up in Manawatū, attending Feilding Bible Chapel, and was two years into an engineering degree in Christchurch when he started to wonder what God would have him do in the future.
“I’m on a gap year this year, just taking a break from uni—and I like tramping and being outdoors—and when I heard about this from my sister it seemed like a really cool thing to do. I was keen to grow and be challenged and learn more—so this just made sense.”
Off the GRID is a strategic initiative of OMNZ (Operation Mobilisation New Zealand). OM is a global organisation with 4500 workers from 125 nationalities serving around the world in 140+ countries. OM’s vision is to see vibrant communities of Jesus followers amongst the least-reached people of the world.
“We’re fully engaged with Jesus’ call to go and make disciples of all nations,” says Off the GRID Programme Director Norm McCarren. “Off the GRID is a component of OMNZ’s strategy—by preparing Kiwis to engage in the Great Commission. We’re cultivating a generation to join the long legacy Kiwis have of engaging with OM—in praying, giving, and going.”
Ethan taking in the spectacular view.
Maybe you’ve spotted Norm and Christy McCarren in the CCCNZ Home Workers Prayer Guide? The Prayer Guide is a yearly publication designed to help people pray for individuals, couples and families serving in support ministry contexts within the wider CCCNZ movement. As Programme Directors of Off the GRID, they’re faith-supported workers who are commended by an Open Brethren Heritage church serving in a para-church ministry.
“Our vision is to see the next generation of Christian leaders gain skills, clarity, and confidence to live a Christ-centred life on mission, to be part of what Jesus has already called them to do—to serve and follow Him.”
The mix of Bible study, leadership development, and community building is intentional—so is exploring some of New Zealand’s most glorious national parks and Great Walks at the top of the South Island.
“Outdoor adventure is a big component; we use the outdoors as our classroom to challenge ourselves and build resilience,” says Norm. “It gives us a heightened sense of God’s creation and his presence. And a sense of being uncomfortable, as tramping and kayaking really pushes people, and offers the opportunity for people to discover their capacity.”
Across the six weeks, leaders take participants through the whole Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, looking at Christ’s redemptive work.
Bible Study together.
Ethan says it was a transformative experience: “I spent a lot of time just thinking and reflecting, and a lot of time in God’s Word, and a lot of time thinking through things in my relationship with God and being obedient to what he’s calling me to do.
“Mostly on the tramps we had lots of time to think as we were walking. My heart changed a lot during that time; I felt more open to saying ‘yes’ to where God’s leading me and realised the importance of being ‘all in’ for God.”
Norm says that he’s noticed the digital media fast has a profound effect on the way young people begin to take in the world around them and interact with each other.
“It takes about 10 days for most of our participants to detox from social media, and technology. They go from very overwhelmed to thriving in a very short time, just 7–10 days. They start to really develop problem-solving and critical thinking skills, to engage in constructive discussion—and everyone starts to say, ‘this is what life is supposed to be’. By the third week they’re saying, ‘I don’t want the phone back.’”
The McCarrens are joined by an experienced team of volunteer leaders who support this work—men and women in their 50s who have significant life and leadership experience and maturity.
“Participants really appreciate this,” Norm says, as they’re often looking for input from Christians who are older and wiser. And they’re impressed with their outdoor skills, “They look around and realise we’re not slowing them down physically.”
Ethan (front) and the team on one of the multi-day tramps (hikes) that are part of the Off the GRID experience.
OM’s international connections and missional focus provide a global faith perspective that is often eye-opening for young New Zealanders taking part in the Off the GRID experience, says Norm.
“For example, in January we had a team of eight people that represented six different countries. For young people, realising how the same Christian worldview is interpreted, lived and understood in a variety of cultural contexts gives a broader understanding and respect, an exposure to different types of leadership and people who think differently.”
Trinity Lands generously provides a scholarship that young New Zealanders are eligible to apply for if they’re planning to take part in an Off the GRID experience.
Norm and Christy follow up with participants after the experience, to help them continue to process what God has been showing them.
“Nothing makes us happier than when we do our follow-up to hear that they’ve found their place in ministry, found their place in mission—and they could be back at work or school—and are fully embracing the idea that God’s uniquely designed them to be in the place they’re in.”
For Ethan, the Off the GRID experience helped confirm a sense of call.
“I’d been debating whether to go back to uni or do something else, but I felt very convicted by the Holy Spirit to return. We spent a lot of time looking at the Great Commission and I realised that God is calling me to take that more seriously—whether that’s mission overseas in future, or how I interact with people around me right now, actively sharing the gospel.”
Ethan is returning to uni to study Industrial Product Design. “Realising where my priorities are is very important, especially going back into uni now, I’m actually doing it with a purpose now; it’s part of what God wants for me. I’ve had a big change in perspective with that and realising that in this season of life having God as my top priority is what matters most—asking ‘how am I living my life in a way that’s prioritising God’.”
“Another focus during Off the GRID, and something I’m working on, is being willing to be less comfortable and more open to challenges—pushing through. I went into it thinking ‘I want to learn how to be content in situations in life’ and came out thinking, ‘How can I challenge myself to grow in ways that help me become who God wants me to be?’”
For young adults wanting space to seek God, grow in confidence, and be stretched in community, you can find out more at www.offthegridnz.org. Norm says they’re taking applications for upcoming teams: “If you’re 18–30 years old and you want to discover and realise your potential, Off the GRID might be the experience for you.”
