Powerful connection and engagement

“The school years are such a critical time to consider your place in the world, and work out who you are and what you want in life. It’s really important when asking these big questions to have people around you that are supporting you and encouraging you in your faith journey.”

Geoff Lancaster has been the principal at St Luke’s Grammar School since July 2020 and knows firsthand the importance of having a Christian support network during one’s schooling years.

Growing up in a family that wouldn’t call themselves Christians, Geoff wasn’t pressured to attend a church or youth group. However, Geoff made the personal choice to attend a local youth group because a number of his friends did. It was there that he met Jesus and, by God’s grace, decided to follow Him.

Geoff’s first involvement with CRU ® was on a CRU School Leavers Camp in 1988, where he met “lots of great people who were on fire for Jesus”. He shares, “It set me up to have some really good, solid Christian friendships through university, which is a pretty important time to be surrounded by good people.” From there, Geoff led on a number of different CRU Holiday Camps, served as camp parents with his wife, and directed Beach Blitz camp at Collaroy.

Until then, Geoff had mainly experienced CRU’s camping ministry but quickly became more aware of CRU’s work in schools in the early teaching years of his career. Now, at St Luke’s Grammar School, Geoff particularly values CRU’s part in supporting Christian students, teachers and chaplains in schools.

“Christian groups are important because students who want to investigate the Christian faith more can meet in a non-confrontational environment. It is also really important that students who would call themselves Christian can be with others who will encourage, support and challenge them,” Geoff shares.

St Luke’s has over 100 students attending Christian groups throughout the school, and CRU considers it a great privilege to be able to support the teachers who run the four Junior School CRU Groups.

Along with being a place for Christian fellowship, the CRU Groups at St Luke’s provide students with opportunities to step up and get involved.

“The student leaders actively invite people to come along and join in. That connection with each other and that opportunity for discipleship is so powerful.” Geoff adds, “A number of our leaving students have said that they felt connection and engagement through the Christian groups and have been able to connect into local churches, which is wonderful.”

St Luke’s also partners with CRU Educational Camps to run several of their school camps. Geoff explains that the fantastic facilities and range of exciting activities at the CRU campsites are only partly why they use CRU. “The leaders at CRU are very energetic, passionate and enthusiastic,” Geoff explains. “That energy comes through to the staff and to the students, and they are a real encouragement. Our staff really enjoy going along to CRU Educational Camps. They get well looked after and are able to trust the CRU staff with our students.”

Starting at a new school right in the middle of COVID has been unusual, but even so, Geoff recognises God’s work at the school through CRU.

“COVID has been a disruption to everyone, and that’s the case for students as well. The thing that comes through the most, from parents and from students, is that feeling of being disconnected from one another,” Geoff shares.

“I believe the Christian faith is compelling and offers us all hope and purpose. If students understand this, it helps them to have a big picture view rather than get caught up in the disruption and uncertainty surrounding them.”

“It’s important that students understand the value of faith and the gospel message so that they do rise above the challenges that they see around them every single day.”

CRU aims to help students be “salt and light” in their schools. Geoff can see how Christian students have been encouraged to stand firm in their faith and be a witness to others.

“As a school, we want all the students in our school community to feel loved and accepted, but also to be curious about matters of faith. That’s sometimes a challenge as the gospel message is quite countercultural.” Geoff continues, “Having safe places to meet like CRU Groups helps students have confidence in their faith, articulate what they believe, and be encouraged to stand up and be counted as a Christian.”

Geoff shares that, as a school, St Luke’s wants to present Psalm 34:8 to the community: “Taste and see that the Lord is good.” He believes that “if students understand the truths of the Bible, they’ll realise that the Lord is good and that an enriching relationship with God brings joy, freedom and life to the full”.

Please join us in thanking God for Geoff, the staff, and the students at St Luke’s Grammar School. We are so thankful for our partnership in the gospel with St Luke’s and the many opportunities that the students have to explore their faith and consider the good news of Jesus. Praise God!