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global news
stories and news from Scripture Union around the world
Hallmarks of our Stories of Scripture Finding faith Scripture Union International
work in schools Union schools work in school info@scriptureunion.global
Page 3 Pages 4 & 5 Page 8 www.scriptureunion.global
global news 1
INTERNATIONAL DIRECTOR
Being with children where they are
Dear SU family, represent only a certain section of education with
society, on the whole they are reaching a special focus
According to a 2016 UNESCO study,
all kinds of kids; rich and poor, intelligent on life skills,
one out of five children, youth and
and less smart, from healthy family psychological
adolescents are not attending school
backgrounds and from difficult family and pastoral
due to poverty, social problems or
situations, and of course from all kinds of care, an official chaplaincy program
gender discrimination. For primary
religious or non-religious backgrounds. or teacher training.
and secondary school aged pupils the
numbers are a bit more encouraging; In this edition of our Global News you will
91% of all children are receiving at least “We in SU are convinced that it get a glimpse of the different models of
primary school education, 86% have is important to bring the love our schools ministry around the world.
the opportunity to get lower secondary I would like to invite you to pray for our
education.
of Jesus to the places where staff and volunteers who are sharing
children are.” God´s love with children, young people
Most children around the world are
and teachers. We can’t take our access to
spending five days a week in school, often
We in SU are convinced that it is important schools for granted and in some places it is
six to nine hours per day. Besides learning
to bring the love of Jesus to the places under threat. Please pray that we will use
through the official curriculum, they are
where children are. That´s why we are the opportunities wisely. Thank you!
developing friendships, skills and their
using every opportunity to connect with
very own worldviews. During their time Warmest greetings and blessings,
them in one of their key environments – at
in school they are often trying to answer
school. This is happening in many different
the deeper questions of life.
ways; from Bible clubs in schools run by Monika Kuschmierz
Even though individual schools may students and supported by SU staff, values SU International Director
God’s love in action
That’s the holistic nature of schools education, school chaplaincy, Bible clubs,
“I’m so glad I belong ministry. SU recognises that God’s Good student leadership training, advocacy for
to God!” News is good news for every aspect of a children with disabilities or some other
young person’s life. For many children, focus. Every approach demonstrates
That was the spontaneous reaction school may be one of the few places the importance of connecting with
of 11-year old John as he barbecued where they experience the love of God children in schools, where every week
sausages at a recent end-of-term activity in the form of an SU volunteer or fellow- they experience the ups and downs of
with his SU school club. student who notices their anxieties and life. Each provides the opportunity for
provides assurance or protection. School children and young
In this club, he’s found a community people to see
may be the only place where a young
where he feels welcome, where his themselves as God
person hears about God in a way that
opinions and questions matter and does, and perhaps
makes sense to them, or identifies a
where he’s finding more about his part to exclaim – like
‘real Christian’.
in God’s Big Story. And he’s excited! John – that they are
writes SUI’s Children’s Ministry SU schools ministry looks different so glad that they
Co-ordinator, Wendy Strachan. around the world: it may be values-based belong to God.
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Hallmarks of our work in schools
by Wendy Strachan Sharing God’s Big Story A holistic approach We comply with these
We have confidence that Imagine a school where a because we are concerned
In schools ministry, we God will meet young people breakfast club for hungry to serve the schools with
aim high! The age and as they explore Scripture. children, or an after-school honesty, and to serve children
inexperience of children and When children open the Bible, sports program for active with the highest standards of
teenagers are not barriers to they discover that in this teenagers, or a tutoring care and safety.
God’s work in their lives and story there are people who service for those who struggle
Volunteer leadership
their schools. Expect to be share their own life concerns: with homework, is run by the
SU is led by volunteers of all
surprised by the Holy Spirit bullying, addiction, failure, same SU staff or volunteers
ages. Children as young as
as SU commits to: hopelessness – and the need who help them engage with
10 years are already leaders
Validating the voices of for inclusion, forgiveness and the Bible in the SU club. That’s
in school clubs – learning
restoration that God is able to a powerful demonstration of
young people leadership qualities that may
Listening to children is our meet. God’s heart for children.
equip them to be national
starting point. Their feelings, Creative contextualisation Integrity leaders of the future.
ideas and opinions are treated 21st century children deserve There are ethical and legal
with the same respect that 21st century approaches. We responsibilities that surround
Working with churches
Jesus demonstrated in his SU encourages local churches
will be well-informed about our involvement in schools.
interactions with all people. to partner in schools ministry
the issues that young people It’s essential to consult
To the extent that children in their community: to pray, to
face and ready to experiment with the school authorities
allow us to, we ‘share life’ provide leadership, to serve,
with new ideas that will – expectations differ from
with them. engage their imagination. country to country.
to disciple.
A listening ear in the playground
school chaplain uses art to reach pupils in SU Queensland
School chaplains are one seen the impact of domestic “Our children should the importance and power
of the ways that Scripture violence on children in her of speaking up. She worked
never be too scared to
Union in Queensland is schools. across 49 classes and
reaching out and supporting be home.” reinforced the lessons with
children and young people. “I know of people who themed works of art.
have spent the night hiding domestic violence victims
The network of chaplains,
outside in bushes because to help teach her students The results included one
affectionately known as
they didn’t feel safe to go that domestic violence is child having the courage to
‘chappies’ by pupils and
into their own home. Our not okay, and they have come forward and speak
staff, offers dedicated
children should never be the power to do something to their teacher which led
support to pupils.
too scared to be home.” about it. With the help of to a change in custody
Chappy at Moranbah and a financial grant, lots of arrangements, and another
Moranbah East state schools, Desley was inspired paint, second-hand supplies, small group of students who
Desley Kerr, is there with a through working in a local and creative inspiration, spoke to staff about their
listening ear for all. She has organisation that helps Desley was able to share concerns for another child.
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Partnership in action
by Albert Tamado, National
Director of SU Botswana
A special school program
pioneered by Scripture Union
Botswana, in partnership with
other organisations, has been
helping transform young lives in
schools around the country.
How it all began The Spiritual and Moral
Development Program, run by
Looking back at the roots SU Botswana in partnership with
HIV/AIDS, low self-esteem, exam
the charity Seed of Gratitude
of SU ministry in schools and other Christian youth
pressure, as well as overcoming
spiritual battles, enabling them to
organisations, operated in all of
become free from negative habits
From as early as the 1880s, just over 10 years after the Botswana’s 34 senior secondary
and thought patterns.
birth of Scripture Union, pupils in schools were being schools during September. Its aim
reached by SU workers. In 1888 George Pilkington, a was to tackle a range of social Each member of the outreach
Cambridge scholar and athlete, was appointed to the problems affecting students. team received training to deliver
CSSM staff to take missions into public (non-government) Outreach teams, with about 10 the program and used materials
schools in England. And it was from here that the first members in each school, worked from the Scripture Union Lifeskills
public school boys’ camps began. The leaders outlined to support students negotiating manual, the Jika Generation
their plan as follows: their way through the turbulent manual, the True Love Waits
terrain of life. The program helped Manual and other accredited
“To collect together as many as possible under canvas, materials.
equip them to tackle addictions,
to provide for them all the sports and amusements dear
to the heart of boys, and while in the midst of these
enjoyments to influence more by example than by words.”
By 1889 the camps had grown, and they aimed to have
boys as secretaries responsible for running each SU branch
in their own school. These young leaders distributed SU
God’s oldest book
materials and met regularly together each Sunday (in their how outdoor education helps children
Boarding Schools).
As the ministry of SU spread internationally, ministry in
discover faith >>>
schools became a natural expression of reaching out to
children and young people. In India, Roddy Archibald
had a profound impact through his work in schools.
Working with a team of indigenous evangelists, he won
the confidence of young people through friendship. In
Australia, schools ministry was begun by Dr Howard
Guinness in the 1930s, who travelled around speaking in
schools with significant results. It was his booklet Sword
Drill which encouraged daily Bible reading and prayer and
he also spread the work to New Zealand. Meanwhile in
Scotland, the foundations of schools ministry had been
laid in the 1920s and by 1937 Scotland had one male and
three female schools workers. In Glasgow High School
one school group, started in 1927 by John Laird, was well
established and being run by the pupils themselves 10
years later. Public school camps in England, led by Eric
Nash, nicknamed ‘Bash Nash’, went from strength to
strength and were instrumental in hundreds of boys taking
a step of faith. As SU ministry grew rapidly in parts of
Africa in the 1950s and 60s, schools ministry was integral
to its growth, seeing many future leaders come to faith
in Ghana and Nigeria. SU staff worker John Dean saw the
establishment of many new SU groups in Nigerian schools
during the 1960s as he travelled thousands of miles
distributing books, Bibles and SU Notes.
Today Christians battle with the tide of secularisation
in education across many countries. However, SU
Movements continue to find creative ways to engage
with children and share God’s Big Story in schools.
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in Botswana
More than 27,000 young people were not just among students, but the entire
reached through the program, with many “Its main aim was to help school community and the local community
receiving basic counselling and advice. young people negotiate including Dikgosi (the village authority) were
Support included help for students facing their way safely through the also affected. Some village authorities set up
alcohol and drug abuse, relationship follow-up ‘kgotla’ meetings for villagers and a
problems, spiritual issues (including turbulent terrain of life” future working relationship is being explored.
Satanism), exam pressure, issues around
There were many other positive outcomes
sexual, emotional, physical, teacher and Education also joined in radio interviews with
from the program, including improved
parental abuse, addictions, bulling, theft, the Director of SU to raise awareness.
community relations and closer collaboration
and other sexuality issues.
Each school noted changes among students with government organisations, as well as the
The program gained momentum with the following the program. More than 1,000 impact on individual lives. Many young people
support of the media, including newspapers students attended counselling sessions gave their lives to Christ which resulted in
and TV coverage, and the Minister of Basic and follow up meetings. The impact was Scripture Union school groups being revived.
Creation is God’s oldest book according to creation helps them to experience the Learning from God’s creation helps young
Steve Meeker, director of SU Croatia-based awe and wonder of who He is,” he said. people to appreciate their differences, Steve
Leadership Lab International (LLI) and “I’m amazed at the simplicity of taking said, “When we look at the trees we see
the leader behind an outdoor education people under a starry sky and singing that not one is the same, God made this
program for young people that is helping praise songs around a fire, or the ‘walk world full of variety. He made everyone
them discover more about themselves and and talk’ experience of walking blindfolded unique in his image and it is through our
the Christian faith. as someone leads you through the forest. differences that we can work together.”
These are all experiences they will never
A team from Scripture Union Latvia recently
forget.”
“I’m amazed at the simplicity trained with LLI to help them deliver
of taking people under a Steve has seen young people changed an outdoor program at their campsite.
through the program and said, “There was National Director, Līga Cepurīte, said, “We
starry sky and singing praise one little girl who hadn’t been out into are planning a new program that is called
songs around a fire” nature much and we were making debris SavaDaba (Your Own Nature) to be used in
shelters. She looked at what we were partnership with schools as a platform for
doing and said, ‘I’m not touching nature.’ children and youth to explore themselves
LLI has just completed its eighth year of the Then we gave her some gloves and step by and their communities and to share faith
Schools in Nature program. This values- step she began to touch what she’d been through nature. The training was great and
based program takes students out of the robbed of by never coming close to nature. we learned exactly what we’d hoped. We
classroom and into nature, offering a range At the end of the week she said, ‘I found believe this will be a great way to evangelise
of outdoor activities, from rock climbing, out I love nature.’” in a natural way.”
archery and canoeing to forest walks, wood
and bush crafts and team games.
Steve said, “This program is a chance for
young people to step out of their comfort
zone and learn about their strengths.
We’re developing a range of different
things; we help with developing trust,
team building and enabling students to
be socially responsible. They learn from
each other’s strengths and learn to support
one another’s weaknesses.”
According to Steve, one of the main
benefits for young people is getting out
of the noise and busyness of life and
learning to just ‘be’. “Being out in God’s
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Let the weak lead the strong
How pupil leadership the disciples, were teenagers when God
called them to take part in His Kingdom
is having an impact in work. Worldly wisdom would suggest
such important roles and responsibilities
Northern Ireland should be given to those who have
the qualifications and the experience,
My name is Connie Lyness. I am however the Bible shows that God takes
19-years-old and have just left Belfast joy in letting the weak lead the strong.
High school, where I served on the SU
What does pupil leadership look like and
committee as a pupil leader. This year
how can SU facilitate it?
I am interning with SU Northern Ireland “Being a pupil leader has Pupil leaders are involved in helping to
and involved in Schools Ministry in East allowed me to discover run SU groups in post-primary schools,
Belfast. Being a pupil leader in our school
SU group was a significant factor in how
the gifts that God has usually working alongside a teacher to
given me.” help with the weekly programmes and
God guided me to pursue this internship.
special events. Bible verses, such as
For me, a pupil leader is someone who 1 Timothy 4:12, tell us how we shouldn’t
leads, journeys alongside and disciples look down on anyone because of their
other younger people in their school age, however pupil leaders are still in
context. I’m excited about the Scripture need of guidance and accountability.
Union groups in our schools because of Many schools have an SU Committee,
the way God is at work through the pupils who attend SU Northern Ireland (SUNI)
themselves. ‘Making Your Mark’ training weekends
each year. Pupils not only benefit from
Why have pupil leadership?
the Bible teaching and training provided
Setting up pupil leadership is by no
by SU staff and volunteers, but are also
means an easy option. Giving 16-18-
able to learn from each other, share
year olds the responsibility, platform Being a pupil leader has been invaluable
ideas, pray and encourage each other for
and space to lead within their school in God bringing me to where I am now. It
the year ahead.
SU group requires patience, guidance has allowed me to discover the gifts that
and good relationships between staff God has given to me and it encouraged I loved having the space to share passion,
and pupils. However, the impact of me to pursue a life ‘worthy of my calling’ faith and heart for our schools. Pupil
pupil leadership makes it all worth it. (Ephesians 4:1). School was no longer leadership encourages young people to
By allowing, supporting and equipping just my place of education, but it became seek Christ’s Kingdom in the places where
young people to take up such roles, they the frontline for my faith. The Bible they are, in their schools; it offers them
are encouraged to deepen their faith includes stories of young leaders being the chance to take an active role in seeing
and be examples to fellow pupils and used in mighty ways in God’s Kingdom. God transform their lives and the lives of
teachers. People like David, Mary and many of those around them.
Young people at secondary schools in reached five groups totalling 190 students.”
‘Agents of Guatemala are benefitting from a new
values program which is being rolled out by
Scripture Union. Together for Good Conduct
Eduardo said the results of the program could
be clearly seen in the way it strengthened
relationships within families and changed
change’ in is a prevention program run in the country’s
middle schools, which brings a message of
love, peace and hope for young people. Its
behaviour. Some of the boys from one group
decided to put their discussion on solidarity
into action and, after gathering food, they
Guatemala main goal is to counteract the influence of
antisocial groups; preventing and rescuing
students from violence, gangs, drugs and
went to share it with a man who was over
100 years old. One of this year’s students,
Adriana, said “I really liked the issues covered
other threats which they face. such as justice, values and decisions. All these
discussions left me something special, which
Director of SU Guatemala, Eduardo
I want to put into practice. I would like to tell
Marroquin said, “It’s the second year we’ve
many young people about the importance of
been running the program which we adopted
good values in their lives.”
from UB Honduras (originally known as No
More Violence), who also accompanied us Young people are taught how to avoid
through the first year, helping with support bad influences and ways to stay busy to
and training our volunteers. We have two avoid getting into local gangs. They were
partner churches that were trained and are encouraged to study hard and remain close
implementing it in their communities. In to their parents. Another student, Allan, said
2017 we ran the pilot scheme and reached “It helped me to be a better person, to be
60 students from two grades. This year we more understanding and to be more patient.
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“Schoolies has
been instrumental
in helping young
people discover
faith for the first
time.”
Celebrating with school leavers
SU Queensland they move into a new phase of life. activities. The Schoolies program has a
big impact on young Christians, helping
Andrew Beavers is the Programs
‘Schoolies’ program Development officer for SU Queensland. them make vital links with their peers
and forge friendships that help support
and why it works He says the Schoolies program offers
school leavers the chance to celebrate them in the years ahead. Local churches
with their peers in a safe environment also participate in the events, helping
According to a program leader for and build vital bridges to help them as connect young people with a community
Scripture Union Queensland, one of the they move into unfamiliar territory. It of Christians when they move away from
biggest moves we ever make is the day was the Schoolies program that helped home. Schoolies has been instrumental
we leave school and move into whatever Andrew become involved in church in helping young people discover faith for
comes next. For many young people, the and led him to work with the SU camp the first time, as Christian students invite
start of work or university can also signal teams. He said, “I was a Schoolie myself their friends to join them for the week
the end of links with church and faith. in 2000 and I’ve been going ever since. and are able to share their faith.
Schoolies is a long held tradition in The program has been running for 40 Andrew said, “One group of friends all
Australia where young people finishing years, since Keith Drinkall had the idea of went on a Schoolies event together. They
school go away together after their exams running a school leaving party to help the were invited to go to church afterwards.
to celebrate – it is often just a drunken leavers celebrate.” Those students went to church and
binge. A number of SU’s in Australia Andrew said, “We have five different started attending life groups and became
have established a series of alternative events that run each year, which include committed Christians… There are dozens
‘Schoolies’ to help give teenagers a better boat trips, cultural trips, resort or island of stories like this and it’s why I’m so
option which helps them work through trips and also the sunny coast camps with passionate about Schoolies. It really
tackling this momentous transition as about 150 kids taking part in a range of works.”
As I am listening to the issues, I am trying Eduardo said, “Three of the participants
to put them into practice.” Other students from the 2017 program have become agents
talked about how the program had helped of change and were invited to be part of
them cope with problems and the situations a group of young people who are working
they face, especially developing better with the local authority on a youth policy.
relationships with their family. This policy has been finalised and is in the
process of being approved for
“I realised that I needed to
implementation. We thank
change my character a bit “It helped me God for these opportunities
with people so that they
could also treat me in the to be a better where our young people are
already influencing society for
way I would like to be treated person, to be more
the good.”
and have a closer relationship understanding
to God. That is the most and to be more Next year, SU Guatemala
important thing and what I aims to improve and extend
value most in the program,“ patient.” their work in schools.
said Katty. They currently work in five
secondary schools and 22
2017 student, Jenifer, said “The talks we
primary schools. In 2019 they aim to double
received helped me make some personal
their group of trained volunteers, which will
changes in my life. And now, as I share it with
allow them to reach more schools across the
other kids, I am able to give a little of what
region.
I have experienced. I do want to continue
working for more agents of change. “
global news 7
Former SUI chairman found faith at school
The next moderator for the Church of the job, which involved travelling around
Scotland, Colin Sinclair, says he owes his Zambia, living out of his car and speaking
life to the work of SU in his local school. at schools, churches, hospitals and
colleges. The job ended up lasting three
Former Chairman of Scripture Union
years.
International, the Revd Colin Sinclair, has
been appointed as the next Moderator for “Those three years changed my life,” he
the Church of Scotland. Colin, will take on said. “Being away from everything familiar,
the year-long ambassadorial role at the I was able to sort out which parts of my
Church of Scotland General Assembly in faith were mine and which were not. I
May 2019. encountered people from many different
countries and with many different beliefs.
Currently the minister for Palmerston
I met all the Church of Scotland
Place Church in Edinburgh, Colin stepped
missionaries there and everyone was very
down from his role with Scripture Union
supportive. I learned to trust God. I owe
International in November 2017. He has
“What I love about Scripture everything to Scripture Union.”
been involved with SU since he left school.
It was as a pupil at Glasgow Academy Union is the opportunity to pass Colin has served in a variety of roles with
that Colin first became interested in the onto the next generation faith Scripture Union. He was General Director
Christian faith. To escape getting into and the Bible and get them out of SU Scotland for eight years. Colin and his
trouble after a prefect saw him taking wife Ruth together ran a Scripture Union
the wrong staircase, Colin dodged into a serving in a world in need.” holiday camp for teens in the Highlands,
darkened room where a Scripture Union at Alltnacriche near Aviemore for 27 years,
camp video was showing. “I enjoyed the follow Jesus Christ. So, started an exciting alongside running a busy parish.
film, thought the activities looked great adventure of faith that has lasted over
50 years.” “What I love about Scripture Union is
and felt I could put up with the ‘religious
the opportunity to pass onto the next
stuff’,” he said. Before studying for ministry in the Church, generation faith and the Bible and get
After attending the camp that summer, Colin worked in Zambia as a Scripture them out serving in a world in need,” he
Colin said, “I did love the camp and had Union Training Officer in an exchange that said. “I’ve loved seeing young people who
great fun, and I liked the leaders. But to enabled two Zambian students to study in started off as SU campers become leaders
my surprise I also enjoyed the meetings the UK. This was the beginning of a lifelong themselves, whether it is to become elders
with their lively singing and straightforward commitment to Scripture Union. in the church or to go into vocational
message about Jesus Christ. I went back to He was just 20 years old, with an honours ministry or to take their Christian faith into
camp the next year and decided then to degree in Economics, when he took up different avenues of public service.”
CREDITS: Global News is a publication Giving to Scripture Union
of SU International.
Editorial Team: Rachel Farmer, Jenny Stewart, We are grateful for the prayer, financial and other practical support from so many around the world
Monika Kuschmierz, Sarah Clements; who join us in ministry partnership. If you would like to give a gift to any of the ministries mentioned
Production & Design: Ivan Smith; in this edition of Global News, or to any other SU ministry around the world, it is easy to do.
Photos: SU Movements and SUI provided Australia: Scripture Union International Council, BSB: 032-523, Account No: 213677
the photos included in this edition. UK: Scripture Union International Council, Sort Code: 405 240, Account Number: 00006064
(Published January 2019)
From other countries, by credit card, or by other means, please see: www.scriptureunion.global
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