What is Primal?
Primal Youth is a network of youth communities meeting in cities and towns throughout NZ and the Pacific Islands. Founded by Dean Rush in 1994 with the dream of seeing NZ a better place for young people, our heart is to provide an environment where 14-20 year olds can connect with God, build great friendships and relationships, be challenged and inspired to live their best lives.
With music competitions, sports events, summer camps, leadership development programs and so much more our mission is to see a generation of young NZ’s take their place in this nation with a positive, selfless, vision for their nations future.
We aim to counter the effects of gang culture, illegal drug usage, alcohol abuse and violence that are having a major effect on our young people’s development.
We are doing this by raising up young leaders with a passion for the youth of their city establishing, Christ-centred relationally focused youth communities that provide a sense of belonging to people whatever their background or culture.
The Vision
The vision of Primal is to see youth communities established all over New Zealand and
throughout the Pacific Islands that would reach young people from all backgrounds and bring them into a connection with Jesus Christ and with each other.
Our desire is that young people would be empowered and captivated by a vision larger than themselves, to go out and make a positive impact on the world for the cause of Christ.
Primal has three main goals:
1. Leading young people to relationship with God
2. Creating a community of friendship, support and discipleship
3. Developing and training young leaders for living a life of purpose with power
The Beginning
Primal began as a vision to raise up young people who would take the call of God on their lives seriously. That they would not see their age as a barrier to the things of God, but would realize that God has given them enthusiasm and a message of hope. In a small meeting room in Newmarket, Auckland, on a Thursday night in early 1994 with 15 young people and an
acoustic guitar, a seed was planted that would result in youth churches being launched across New Zealand and beyond.
Today
Over the last 15 years we have established Primal Youth communities in most major cities in NZ. Many young people have gone on to step into their dreams, filled with purpose and new hope. Primal have raised up, trained and released young leaders who have gone on to great things in business, education, sport and recreation, communication and much more. Countless young people who have come from seemingly hopeless, violent and negative backgrounds have found purpose in Christ and have built positive relationships that have given them hope and a future and changed.