In February 2011 IFG (ICONZ for Girls) began in Rolleston.  As our group established and grew we decided to become an independent girls ministry in the community.  We came up with GEMS (Girls Encouraging Mentoring and Serving) and officially launched GEMS June 2013.

G is for Girls
GEMS is for Girls only.

E is for Encouraging
“Therefore encourage one another and build one another up ….”  1 Thessalonians 5:11.

Throughout the bible we see instructions to “encourage one another daily” (Hebrews 3:13) and verses meant to encourage us.  Encouragement is a core value of GEMS, it’s part of our name and GEMS provides a positive and encouraging place for all our girls.

M is for Mentoring
Mentors are guides, active partners, interested in building authentic relationships.  Mentors lead by example, are trusted and experienced advisors, and there are many great examples of mentoring in the bible.  Mentoring is important to the GEMS team and highly encouraged with the girls  –  the mentors of the future!

S is for Serving
In Matthew, Jesus said, “The truth is, anything you did for any of my people, you also did for me”.  What an amazing and thought-provoking truth!  GEMS is centred around service.  Serving others, helping out in many different ways and learning how to serve our community too.