Connecting You Summer 2024

Connecting

you

Inside:

Your pull-out holidays and missions Guide

Summer 2024

IN THIS EDITION Catch up with Faith Guide Nadine

Why I volunteer on SU’s Minnis Bay Mission Making an impact through sport The 2024 Global Gathering

51528 Connecting You JJA 2024 stg7 AW.indd 1

01/05/2024 10:40

Contents 4

Giving God your loaves and fishes

See how Faith Guide Nadine’s outreach has blossomed since we last shared her story, and discover the valuable lessons she’s learned along the way!

started with mission today!

10 Get See how you can get free support to inspire and equip you in mission to the 95.

prayer and perseverance 16 Passion, See how Joel, Leonie and others from King’s Church Durham kicked off a regular and impactful programme of ‘mission through sport’ on their local estate.

truly global movement 22 ARead about the Scripture Union Global Gathering which took place in March, bringing together representatives from over 100 SU movements from right across the globe.

Did you know?

Turn to the centre pages to see all the holidays and missions taking place this summer.

It takes an army of volunteers to make our programme of holidays and missions possible. Last year more than 1,200 people sacrificially gave their time to help run one of these life-changing events. Give thanks to God for each one of them!

More about Scripture Union Scripture Union is a Christian charity, providing opportunities for children and young people to explore the Bible, respond to Jesus and grow in faith. With an estimated 95% of under-18s in England and Wales not part of a church, we help churches to step out and take the good news to them in exciting and culturally relevant ways.

Visit www.scriptureunion.org.uk to find out more.

story for Connecting You, or a suggestion on how we could improve our service to you, please contact the editor: eddien@scriptureunion.org.uk

Connecting You is Scripture Union’s supporter and prayer magazine, keeping you up to date with what God is doing through the work you support.

For general enquiries Tel: 01908 856000 Fax: 01908 856111 Email: info@scriptureunion.org.uk www.scriptureunion.org.uk

Connecting You magazine is also available online at: www.su.org.uk/connectingyou. If you have a

Published by Scripture Union, Trinity House, Opal Court, Opal Drive, Fox Milne, Milton Keynes, MK15 ODF

51528 Connecting You JJA 2024 stg7 AW.indd 2

01/05/2024 10:40

What part is he calling you to play?

‘Take away the stone,’ he said.

John 11:39 NIV In John’s Gospel we read an incredible account of Jesus raising Lazurus back to life. There are many fascinating insights in John’s narrative; however, one stands out which is potentially more unusual than the resurrection itself. Just before Jesus calls Lazurus from the grave he invites the disciples, keen observers at this point, to become participators and ‘roll the stone from the grave’ (John 11:39). Jesus was on the brink of displaying his ultimate power over death itself yet thought it appropriate to get his followers to ‘move the stone’. It wasn’t that he was unable to do it himself; instead, he sought to involve his followers in his mission.

As I set out in my first few months as National Director for Scripture Union England and Wales, I am reminded of the fact that although we only have a supporting role to play in the mission of Jesus in this world, it is still a vital role that we have. Jesus continues to invite ordinary people to participate with him in his extraordinary lifetransforming work. What part is he calling you to play?

At SU, our commitment to reach the 95 has not changed. We long to see an ever-growing network of ordinary people playing their part to reveal Jesus to the 95.

As volunteers across the nations prepare for camps, missions, run weekly clubs or simply walk alongside young people as Faith Guides, Jesus continues to invite ordinary people to get on board with his life-changing mission. As you read stories of all God is doing in the following pages, perhaps you will hear the call to get involved and ‘move the stone’.

God bless,

Dave Newton National Director

www.scriptureunion.org.uk

51528 Connecting You JJA 2024 stg7 AW.indd 3

3

01/05/2024 10:40

Giving God your loaves and fishes We first met Nadine in Connecting You autumn 2021, when she was just taking her first tentative steps as a Faith Guide.

With your support and our help, she has seen her outreach to children and young people blossom – and she’s learned valuable lessons along the way!

4

51528 Connecting You JJA 2024 stg7 AW.indd 4

www.scriptureunion.org.uk

01/05/2024 10:40

Nadine became Children and Youth Team Leader at her church, Lindsay Park NADINE Baptist Church in London, and volunteered in this role while also working and bringing up her son. She already ran a weekly Sunday Club for children in church and had great mission ideas planned. However, with a shortage of volunteers she was needing to do more and more herself and was in danger of burning out. It’s a familiar tale!

‘I reduced our Sunday Club to once a fortnight. Other weeks the children now stay in the church service. I get their parents to help our pastor lead these – they are there anyway, it is good for their children to see them talking about faith and makes those conversations at home easier too.

And I get to enjoy the service as well, rather than always being out with the children – I’ve learned from SU that it’s important to maintain your own spiritual health.’

The Youth Group also runs fortnightly too. Nadine started it in April 2023 in partnership with Kelli from nearby Kingsbury

Then she realised God was showing her another way.

Working with what we’ve got

‘I had to change my mentality,’ grins Nadine. ‘I needed to learn to shape my plans around the resources I had and trust that God would bless them!

I’ve learned from SU that it’s important to maintain your own spiritual health.

www.scriptureunion.org.uk

51528 Connecting You JJA 2024 stg7 AW.indd 5

5

01/05/2024 10:41

Baptist Church. ‘It made sense to collaborate given that both our churches were short of volunteers,’ says Nadine. ‘It’s grown and grown!

Originally we only had Kelli’s two children and a friend, then they invited their friends. Now we get up to 18 youngsters, many from nonChristian homes.’

Going beyond my comfort zone!

The Youth Group takes place at Kingsbury Church where facilities include a sports hall. Nadine, more into arts and crafts, got trained by SU in how to use sport in her sessions. ‘Now we use active, inclusive team games such as dodgeball at the start of each session. The young people love it, and it helps new ones to integrate quickly. Sometimes we weave Bible teaching in with the sport, other times it’s more about them burning off their energy, ready to chat about what’s going on in their lives and what relevant wisdom the Bible has to offer.’

Nadine thinks any church relying on volunteers to lead their children and youth mission should ensure they get proper training and support.

‘Children’s ministry is not like running your own kids and home! SU are

...many children and young people are now being spiritually fed as a result. experts at it; their training has really empowered me. Until she moved on, Jordana (Smith) was my Mission Enabler and she was wonderful – I’d share and shape my ideas with her, pray with her, and she’d also come and help out at some sessions too. Jordana’s also taught me about the different phases of faith and how to assess where children and young people are at spiritually, so I can use the right words for them to understand more about Jesus.’

Jordana says, ‘Nadine is an inspiration, doing all she does as a volunteer! She had the wisdom to recognise that change was needed and has been brilliant at identifying what “positive assets” were available to her – her loaves and her fishes. She has faithfully offered them up to God, who has blessed them. And many children and young people are now being spiritually fed as a result.’

Could you be a Faith Guide?

As a Faith Guide, Nadine receives one-to-one practical support and coaching from an SU Mission Enabler as well as access to exclusive resources. You can find out about what it means to become a Faith Guide and how we can support you too at su.org.uk/faithguides.

6

51528 Connecting You JJA 2024 stg7 AW.indd 6

www.scriptureunion.org.uk

01/05/2024 10:41

WEEK BEGINNING MAY 26

Prayers

Please pray for all those who are Faith Guides, and the Scripture Union Mission Enablers who support them.

Sunday 26

Give thanks to God for all Faith Guides. Pray particularly for those who are volunteers like Nadine, and willingly give up their spare time to share Jesus with children and young people who don’t yet know him.

Monday 27

Give thanks to God too for our Mission Enablers as they help Faith Guides to connect with the next generation to help them explore the Bible, respond to Jesus and grow in faith.

Tuesday 28

Sometimes God’s ways are not our ways! Praise God for enabling Nadine to identify and creatively use the resources available to her – her ‘loaves and fishes’ – and helping her to trust that he would bless them.

Wednesday 29

Give thanks to God that, as we step out in faith to share Jesus with the next generation, he is ready to

bless the plans we lay before him in prayer.

Thursday 30

Please pray that the young people Nadine and Kelli are working with will encounter God in a very real way and have opportunities to choose to follow Jesus themselves.

Friday 31

Praise God for enabling Scripture Union to develop and deliver training for Faith Guides, giving them the skills and confidence to share his love effectively with the children and young people in their communities.

Saturday 1

Today is the start of Volunteers’ Week. Give thanks to God for all our amazing volunteers including those leading on holidays and missions.

Ask him to bless and strengthen them as they serve him so faithfully.

www.scriptureunion.org.uk

51528 Connecting You JJA 2024 stg7 AW.indd 7

7

01/05/2024 10:41

Prayers

WEEK BEGINNING JUNE 2

Sunday 2

Please pray for SU Slovakia’s new pilot programme, aiming to create a curriculum for long-term training for children’s workers. Pray too for three workshops they will be doing with the Baptist Union for Sunday school teachers in different regions of Slovakia.

Monday 3

This week, Mission Enabler Neil Jackson will be helping to head up the children’s and families’ team at Festival Teesside.

Pray for fruitful engagement in the local schools during the week and with families at the weekend.

Pray for effective follow up helping children who attend to grow in faith.

Tuesday 4

Pray for staff worker Fi Messenger of Mission Partner Archway Trust and her team of volunteers as they go into Northamptonshire village schools to run Bible craft clubs and prayer spaces. Pray too for their toddler groups, monthly events and holiday clubs.

Wednesday 5

Give thanks for the Go Wild at Great Wood and Families Inc. holidays that happened recently.

Pray that the children who attended will remember what they

8

51528 Connecting You JJA 2024 stg7 AW.indd 8

learned and experienced and that they will stay close to Jesus as they go back to school.

Thursday 6

Pray for Maggie Barfield who recently retired from Scripture Union after nearly thirty years of service in various publishing roles, including Ancora Mission Leader. Ask for God’s blessing on her in this next phase of life. Pray for the Development Hub as they look for her successor.

Friday 7

In June, Mission Partner GenR8 will visit schools in Cambridgeshire as part of the summer term assembly tour. Four teams will visit 100 schools with an assembly titled Respect.

Pray for the safety of each team volunteer and for the children and staff who will hear the messages.

Saturday 8

Please pray for Isaac O’Brien in his role as Content Assistant. Please pray for his work on Encounter with God, and as he seeks to hone his analytical, creative and critical skills on all the resources he works on with the Development Hub.

www.scriptureunion.org.uk

01/05/2024 10:41

Prayers

WEEK BEGINNING JUNE 9

Sunday 9

The Scripture Union Campus Fellowship, a ministry to young people in tertiary institutions in Nigeria, will be holding their annual conference 13-16 June. Pray that this will lead to many new leaders for SU Nigeria.

Monday 10

Pray for Mission Partner Matlock Area Schools Trust as they hold their AGM and thanksgiving service on 29 June; it is planned that a headteacher and possibly some children will be contributing. Pray that the service will generate more interest in and support for the trust.

Tuesday 11

Please pray for Technical Services Manager Ian Gooding as he continues to guide staff and volunteers in effective use of our IT systems. Ask that he’ll be effective in keeping our various services running smoothly and as part of the Digital Solutions team will help make improvements and efficiencies to our processes.

Wednesday 12

Pray for Faith Guides in the south west who will be taking groups to SPREE SW (run by SWYM and supported by SU from 21 to 23 June). This event has streams

reflecting the Revealing Jesus framework; one for those wanting to Grow in faith and another to enable the move from Explore to Respond.

Thursday 13

We thank God for our supporters who are an amazing blessing to us. Join us in praying that each one might receive a blessing from God.

Friday 14

Pray for the staff members, trustees, volunteers and various projects of Mission Partner The Youth Net in Stafford. June is a month of transition for many of their groups, both secondary and primary. Pray for good endings and the knowledge that God goes with them.

Saturday 15

Jack Newbould, one of our Mission Enablers in Wales, is looking forward to supporting churches as they reach the 95 through mission events in their communities this summer and training some young leaders. Pray for these churches in South Wales as they explore these options.

www.scriptureunion.org.uk

51528 Connecting You JJA 2024 stg7 AW.indd 9

9

01/05/2024 10:41

‘The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few’, as Jesus observes (Matthew 9:37). You only have to watch the news to grasp that huge numbers of young people have lost hope and direction and need the hope and purpose that only Jesus can offer. But how will they hear if nobody tells them (Romans 10:14)?

With FREE Mission Support, we’re You’ll get: Unlock the full potential of your able to help churches get involved outreach to children and young • The Revealing Jesus in effective long-term mission to people with FREE Mission Support First Steps Guide help children find and grow in • Exclusive online training Scripture faithfrom using our RevealingUnion.

Jesus sessions framework. Of course, we’d love to • Inspiring videos sign people up as Faith Guides and Sign up today for inspiration and • Monthly ‘Mission Sparks’ provide them with bespoke support advice from experienced professionals: • Access to findings from and one-to-one coaching. However, su.org.uk/missionsupport research into mission we know that not everyone who’s • + much more passionate about reaching the 95 is able to become a Faith Guide straight away, so we’ve developed Mission Support as a way of Sign up to get Mission providing effective support for Support now. anyone, whatever their situation.

So, if you want to receive monthly Mission Support emails, providing inspiration and expert advice to help you get started in mission or to super-charge the great work you’ve already begun, sign up for free today.

10

51528 Connecting You JJA 2024 stg7 AW.indd 10

Scan the QR code here or visit su.org.uk/missionsupport

www.scriptureunion.org.uk

01/05/2024 10:41

Prayers

WEEK BEGINNING JUNE 16

Sunday 16

Pray for SU Rwanda’s ministry with young girls living on the streets, asking that the SU team will help the girls find hope and practical ways to make a living by learning new skills.

Monday 17

The team in the north are excited about the growing number of Faith Guides in the region. Pray for them as they seek to develop new Faith Guide holidays where children and young people can continue to take steps towards a deeper faith in Jesus.

our technology.

Pray that the final stages of upgrading our finance system will go smoothly and for the development of the database that the Development Hub use to manage the scheduling, costing and specification of Revealing Jesus resources and Bible Reading Guides.

Thursday 20

The South West team will be at SPREE South West this weekend.

Toby Chant, Chris Eales and Eddie Howlett will be in the indoor sports area and Margaret Lilley will be part of the Rooted programme for 8–11s.

Pray that many of those who attend will meet Jesus in fresh ways.

Friday 21 Tuesday 18

Thank God for the opportunities that It’s Your Move provides for making connections with local schools and for helping pupils as they transition to secondary school. Pray for all those using it this year to help children facing the move.

Wednesday 19

We are coming towards the end of a lengthy programme to update all

Lifepath Brinkburn starts on Monday.

Please pray for Kirstine and the team as they introduce the children to those who lived at Brinkburn Priory, and that through their stories the children will learn more about God and grow in their faith.

Saturday 22

Mission Partner Beverley Schools Christian Trust gives thanks for one-to-one listening support for secondary pupils; pray for the pupils in often challenging life circumstances. Pray too for children in the lunchtime Bible clubs and prayer spaces, as they explore faith, prayer and the Bible.

www.scriptureunion.org.uk

51528 Connecting You JJA 2024 stg7 AW.indd 11

11

01/05/2024 10:41

Prayers Sunday 23

Pray for the schools’ ministry of SU in Papua New Guinea including their regular feeding programme, helping to draw in children who might normally miss school.

Monday 24

Pray for plans for a holiday Bible club 13–15 August, to be run by Mission Partner Living Stones Education Trust in partnership with Heathfield Church in Manchester.

Pray for the leaders and volunteers as they prepare and that the children who attend will be amazed

by God’s power and love for them.

Tuesday 25

Pray for all those using our new summer resource pack to connect with children and young people through sport this year. Pray that they will be equipped and inspired and that as a result many children and young people will discover Jesus.

to support our events this year.

WEEK BEGINNING JUNE 23

Thursday 27

Grace Youth is a Grow Community in Sheffield run by Faith Guide Natasha.

They meet to worship, play games, explore the Bible and sometimes eat pizza! Pray that members will continue to grow in faith and that the community will make new connections with the 95 in the area.

Friday 28

Pray for all the Mission Partners running transition events for children moving from primary to secondary schools. Pray for wisdom and energy for the workers and volunteers as they offer children helpful information and advice encouraging them to move to secondary schools with confidence.

Wednesday 26

Mission Events Co-ordinator Sue Hill asks us to pray for perseverance as she continues to support the rest of the team in clearing volunteers for Scripture Union’s summer holidays and missions. Sue also asks for prayers for all the dedicated volunteers who will generously give their time, energy and enthusiasm

12

51528 Connecting You JJA 2024 stg7 AW.indd 12

Saturday 29

Pray for our senior staff team as they review the take up of Mission Support and seek to discern further developments that will broaden and deepen the impact of the Revealing Jesus mission framework through the local church.

www.scriptureunion.org.uk

01/05/2024 10:41

Prayers

Week beginning June 30

Sunday 30

The Camps team of SU New Zealand are preparing four school holiday winter camps in July. Pray for two camps based at their Adventure Lodge in Whakapapa, Mt Ruapehu.

Monday 1

Today marks the ninth birthday of the Guardians of Ancora children’s app. Praise God for the ongoing impact of the game and the mission around it. More than 2.3 million players have explored Bible stories and had the opportunity of discovering the difference Jesus can make to the adventures and challenges of life.

Tuesday 2

Pray for Sarah Howard Smith, Support Worker in the north region, as she prepares for the Edale holiday Fun at Edale this summer where she will be working in the kitchen and co-leading. Pray that the children will come to a deeper understanding of who God is and what he could mean to them.

Wednesday 3

Pray for the It’s Your Move sessions being run by Mission Partner Active Christianity in Thanet Schools with Year 6 pupils. Pray for the development of their work

in secondary schools and for someone to lead the primary schools’ work.

Thursday 4

Pray for Moira and the team on Frontline Hungary this week. Each year a team of English-speaking volunteers help SU Hungary to run children’s holiday clubs for 7–13s where the children can learn conversational English, Bible stories and songs.

Please pray for the team as they seek to share Jesus with the children.

Friday 5

Senior Content Manager Angela Grigson asks us to pray that the new Publishing Information System being developed to hold all the data associated with the resources created by the Development Hub will help the team to be more effective in what they do.

Saturday 6

Mission Partner Brentwood Schools Christian Worker Trust is thankful for opportunities to support local Year 6 pupils in their transition to secondary school through their It’s Your Move lessons. Please also pray for their LifeSpace project helping Year 10 pupils to reflect on their future.

www.scriptureunion.org.uk

51528 Connecting You JJA 2024 Centre Spread stg8 AW.indd 3

13

01/05/2024 10:31

Why I volunteer on SU’s Minnis Bay Mission Simeon Crosher grew up in a Christian home in Margate, but he thought church was boring. Then he met God one summer on the beach!

‘During SU’s Minnis Bay Mission, myself and some other teens happened SIMEON to also be on CROSHER the beach, having some fun. A couple of the mission leaders came over and got chatting to us. There was something very different about them! When they offered to pray for me, I never expected anything

to happen, but I experienced the incredible peace and love of God for the first time and knew that he was real.

‘It totally changed my perspective on life and I wanted to share Jesus with others around me.’

Today, Simeon volunteers on the Minnis Bay Mission. ‘The team just accepted me as I was, and were so welcoming! Now I lead alongside the same people who prayed for me on the beach!’

(Simeon is Creative Media and Communications Manager at St Nicholas Church, Bristol.)

To watch a longer interview with Simeon, go to su.org.uk/SUM

Fancy volunteering?

We’ve got lots of opportunities – could you work alongside children and young people, or be a cook, administrator, first-aider, lifeguard or outdoor pursuits leader? For those under 18 and wanting to develop leadership skills, we’ve got opportunities for you too! Visit www.su.org.uk/volunteer, email countmein@scriptureunion.org.uk or call 01908 856177.

51528 Connecting You JJA 2024 Centre Spread stg8 AW.indd 1

01/05/2024 10:31

Prayers

Week beginning July 7

Sunday 7

Pray for Scripture Union Scotland’s developing relationships with churches, youth projects and organisations working in Scotland’s most deprived communities. Pray for wisdom as to how SU Scotland can add value to existing ministry and for new partnerships to emerge.

Mission Partner Faith in Schools, London City Mission and Newham churches.

Pray that it will build closer links between schools and churches and that many children will learn more about Jesus.

Monday 8

Thursday 11

Pray for Facilities and Administration Assistant Grace Inwood as she continues to maintain SU’s National Office (Trinity House) on a day-today basis, and in the longer term, and as she provides support to the Finance and IT teams.

Tuesday 9

July is a busy time for the Mission Events team. Please pray that they will have stamina and spiritual wisdom as they support the holiday and mission leaders getting ready for the summer programme.

Thank God for the way in which over many years SU holiday club material has helped many children to start a journey with God. Pray for all churches using the resources over this summer and for a lasting impact on the children who attend.

Friday 12

Give thanks for those who give their time and skills to serve as trustees for Scripture Union. Pray that as they meet regularly with the Leadership team, they may together discern God’s direction for the movement.

Saturday 13

Wednesday 10

LifeExpo is an interactive multimedia exhibition on the life of Jesus being run in July for the children of Newham by

14

Please pray for Dave Newton as he leads Scripture Union, especially over this exciting summer season.

Pray for wisdom, favour and imagination as he seeks to navigate the challenges and opportunities that leadership brings. Pray for safety and fruitfulness as he travels and shares in a range of mission contexts.

www.scriptureunion.org.uk

51528 Connecting You JJA 2024 Centre Spread stg8 AW.indd 2

01/05/2024 10:31

Prayers

WEEK BEGINNING JULY 14

Sunday 14

Pray that Scripture Union Kosovo’s ministry through sport will build bridges with children and young people from all faith backgrounds and will introduce them to Jesus.

Monday 15

The team in the south east give thanks for the recent Faith Guide holiday for churches in the London and Essex areas which took place at Stubbers Adventure Centre in Essex.

Pray that through the example and love of their leaders, the young people who came will continue to draw closer to God.

Tuesday 16

leads the Digital Solutions Team, working on projects that will help us to work more effectively and efficiently. Pray especially for a project to restructure a key area of the website to give a better user experience.

Friday 19

Next week we will be running holiday clubs in Hexham and Potters Bar. Please pray for the leaders as they prepare, and especially for Nicola at Potters Bar as she steps into leadership for the first time. Pray that good numbers will come and that children will respond to the message of Jesus.

Mission Partner Regeneration:Harrow asks for prayer for their new Schools Worker Rachel Sampath who started in March. Pray that she will settle in well and quickly re-establish good working relationships with the schools.

Wednesday 17

Pray for Mandy Hagon, PA to Director of Mission, as she works with the wider Mission Development team supporting them in the implementation of the various new computer systems being introduced during the year.

Thursday 18

Please pray for Mark Green as he

Saturday 20

Pray that Mission Partner Lighthouse Project Crawley may have opportunities to serve more secondary schools. Pray that they would be invited into schools to lead secondary school assemblies, and that God would provide the resources and personnel needed for this.

www.scriptureunion.org.uk

51528 Connecting You JJA 2024 stg7 AW.indd 15

15

01/05/2024 10:42

Passion, prayer and perseverance Joel Ryder, Leonie Klapper and others from King’s Church Durham knew that the young people on the local estate really needed to hear Jesus’ message of hope. But they weren’t sure how to get started. Through your support, SU were able to help them to kick off a regular programme of ‘mission through sport’.

16

51528 Connecting You JJA 2024 stg7 AW.indd 16

www.scriptureunion.org.uk

01/05/2024 10:42

regularly now although we’ve connected with over forty.

LEONIE

JOEL

Leonie, who lives as part of a missional community on the estate, says, ‘Each summer our church does a week’s outreach here. In 2022 we included some football and the kids loved it. But that was a one-off, and we wanted to set up some regular sessions.’

‘However, there were lots of barriers,’ says Joel. ‘We were short on volunteers, didn’t know how to put a sports-based programme together, and weren’t sure how to relate to children from very different backgrounds to us. So we contacted Mark Oliver and Sarah Bowey from SU’s Sports team. They were really encouraging, gave us training and ideas, and Sarah helps regularly at the sessions which are on Thursdays after school – about ten kids come

‘It was really hard to start with – the kids were very unruly and didn’t listen to a word we said! But Sarah said that this showed just how much they needed Jesus and positive role models in their lives. SU’s training and her advice really helped us manage the situation and things started to settle down.’

Before each session, our team meets to pray which I think has been vital!

The turning point came when one child quarrelled with another and trudged off, but quickly returned after seeing what they perceived as a threatening figure on the streets.

So, after the session, the mission leaders walked every one of the children home.

‘They realised we really cared about them,’ says Leonie. ‘One younger

www.scriptureunion.org.uk

51528 Connecting You JJA 2024 stg7 AW.indd 17

17

01/05/2024 10:42

boy who used to get into fights has become much calmer and has a much better relationship with the other kids now. He’s started praying too! And the older kids are asking questions about faith – why we believe in Jesus, whether Jesus came back to life, who made God.’

The importance of prayer

Joel comments, ‘Before each session, our team meets to pray which I think has been vital! Then the kids arrive and we have sports or games – there’s always a scriptural theme, such as God’s grace and acceptance of us, how he loves and welcomes us even when we fail (as Peter did in denying Jesus).

‘One week we asked the young people to write what they thought about God and they were writing things like “God cares about us, God loves us – loves ME.” Whether or not they truly believe it yet, they’ve certainly absorbed some of what we’ve been sharing with them.’

‘And they’re starting to ask for prayer for some of the challenges

their facing in the lives, such as a sick grandparent or tough situations going on at school,’ Leonie says, ‘It’s so encouraging.’

Next steps

‘We’re just discussing “What next?”’ says Joel. ‘Some of the children are at the point where we believe they’re ready to hear more about Jesus. But the church is some distance away from the estate. We already run a summer holiday club on the estate for some of the church kids, so we might adapt that, or we might need to create something new.

‘It’s great to see the progress that has been made – the positive relationships we now have with the kids and how they’re absorbing spiritual lessons and journeying towards faith. I’m so glad we prayed and persevered. And God’s been faithful throughout.’

I’m so glad we prayed and persevered.

Could you get sporty?

Find out more about Scripture Union’s Sports team and how they could help you with Mission through Sport: su.org.uk/sport

18

51528 Connecting You JJA 2024 stg7 AW.indd 18

www.scriptureunion.org.uk

01/05/2024 10:42

WEEK BEGINNING JULY 21

Prayers

Please pray for all the children and young people without church connections that are hearing about Jesus this summer.

Sunday 21

Give thanks to God for Leonie, Joel and the team at King’s Church Durham for their passion and determination to share Jesus with children and young people in their community.

Monday 22

Over 150 years ago, SU founder Josiah Spiers wrote ‘God is love’ on the beach at Llandudno, North Wales. Praise God that those words still speak so powerfully into the lives of children and young people today.

Tuesday 23

Please pray for the young people that Leonie, Joel and their team are working with in Durham. Ask God to help them to truly believe how much he loves them, and that they can trust him to be the sure foundation for their lives.

Wednesday 24

Please pray that more young people without church connections will join

the regular sport sessions in Durham so they too can hear God’s message of love for them.

Thursday 25

Praise God for how he is using sport across the country to bring together and build trust between churches and young people in the wider community, so that the next generation get to hear the good news of Jesus.

Friday 26

This summer, many churches have sport-based mission activities planned. Please pray that they will lead to many more children and young people having life-changing encounters with Jesus.

Saturday 27

Ask God to give wisdom to Leonie, Joel and the team at King’s Church Durham as they consider how to take the young people they are working with on the next stage of their faith journey.

www.scriptureunion.org.uk

51528 Connecting You JJA 2024 stg7 AW.indd 19

19

01/05/2024 10:42

Prayers Sunday 28

SU Hungary’s online youth Biblereading website ‘On the road’ was launched in January. Pray that it will encourage young people to read the Bible regularly. Pray for plans to launch an app later this year and for the necessary funding.

Monday 29

This is the first full week of the summer holidays and missions.

Please pray for safety and fun across the country as hundreds of volunteers share the good news of Jesus with children, young people and families.

Tuesday 30

Pray for Bex Jignasu, Mission Partners Coordinator, as she works with the regional teams to build good relationships with the mission partners. Pray for effectiveness as she works with the partnership group to develop networks and partnerships with other agencies and organisations to maximise the Revealing Jesus mission impact.

Wednesday 31

Mission Partner Bodmin Youth Project ran sports sessions over Easter in association with the council’s out-of-school holiday provision and are seeking to build on this over the summer. Pray that all those they reach in the community will engage with the good news of Jesus.

20

51528 Connecting You JJA 2024 stg7 AW.indd 20

Thursday 1

WEEK BEGINNING JULY 28

Pray that young people and their leaders who joined the central region on their Faith Guide holiday at the ‘Dreaming the Impossible’ event will go back to their Faith Guide groups inspired to go deeper in their journey of discipleship.

Friday 2

Praise God for the witness of the beach missions, some of which have been active now for over a hundred years. There are six running this week throughout England and Wales. Praise God that every year the gospel is presented to a new generation of children and pray for many to respond to him.

Saturday 3

Mission Enabler Lisa Jones is in the early stages of planning a Faith Guide holiday for the autumn. Faith Guides will bring groups of children aged 8–11 to experience a great time exploring and responding to Jesus though a range of activities. Pray that she will know God’s guidance.

www.scriptureunion.org.uk

01/05/2024 10:42

Prayers

WEEK BEGINNING AUG 4

Sunday 4

Pray that the new partnership between SU Nepal and a local pastor reaching out to children in remote parts of the country and running a new camp will result in many hearing about Jesus.

Monday 5

Pray that working relationships will continue to flourish in the team of Mission Partner The Wave Youth and Children working in Swanage. Join them in giving thanks for increased opportunities in local youth groups and mentoring in schools and pray for increasing support from the local Christian community.

Tuesday 6

Please pray that Janine Parkinson, Mission Enabler in the central region, will have wisdom to know how best to support a new influx of Faith Guides. Pray that these Faith Guides will be used to share the good news of Jesus with children and young people.

Wednesday 7

missions and pray that they will be inspired and equipped as they step into leadership, many for the first time.

Thursday 8

April to June 2025 Bible Reading Guides go to press in the next week.

Pray for the staff as they make final corrections to the publications and thank God that material written far in advance speaks so relevantly to the readers.

Friday 9

Pray for the appointment of a School’s Worker for Mission Partner Cadwyn Teifi to work with the churches in the Tregaron/Lampeter area of Ceredigion (Wales). They are committed to appointing a dedicated, energetic Christian with bilingual skills, and a heart to share the gospel with the upcoming generation.

Saturday 10

The Ka’zoo and Ka’zoo 2.0 holidays start today. Please pray for Michelle and Chris as they lead the holidays and for the team as they come together to provide an amazing week for the children and young people.

Taking place this week is Make the Difference, a holiday for young leaders to develop their gifts and skills whilst serving the children on the Spot the Difference holiday.

Thank God for all our young leaders across the holidays and www.scriptureunion.org.uk

51528 Connecting You JJA 2024 stg7 AW.indd 21

21

01/05/2024 10:42

A truly global movement You may or may not know that Scripture Union is just one of over 120 SU movements around the world. Each SU movement is autonomous but we share common aims that bring us together as a global family, passionate about making Jesus known among children and young people in our own contexts.

Pictured: Scripture Union representatives from all across the world enjoying a time of worship around an indoor campfire.

22

51528 Connecting You JJA 2024 stg7 AW.indd 22

www.scriptureunion.org.uk

01/05/2024 10:43

Back in March, we joined with more than 300 Scripture Union representatives from 100 different countries for the Scripture Union Global Gathering in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. This was a truly special event, bringing SU leaders, volunteers and supporters together for the first time since Covid. It was awesome to be able to be in one place, worshiping together and learning from each other!

The thought-provoking conference theme was ‘Bridging the gap’ (between the church and the world, the generation gap and the gap caused by social divisions and injustice), and this inspired many ongoing conversations that will help SU to remain relevant in sharing the good news with the younger generations we each seek to connect with.

Richard Shaw, SU England and Wales’ Head of Mission recounts, ‘It was a real joy being with brothers and sisters from across the global movement, hearing about the challenges they have in their countries (some of whom are at risk of persecution) but also wonderful stories of how they share the love of Jesus with children and young people. It was a truly inspiring and uplifting time for all of us coming from England and Wales!’

Please pray that each SU movement will be blessed by this time of togetherness, and that many more children and young people will discover Jesus as a result.

23

51528 Connecting You JJA 2024 stg7 AW.indd 23

01/05/2024 10:44

Prayers

WEEK BEGINNING AUG 11

Sunday 11

Pray for a new project in Quebec where SU for French-speaking Canada aims to open a resources centre. Pray for continued support to make the initiative possible and that it will make a significant contribution to Christian work in the country.

Monday 12

Pray that Regional Team Leader Dom Conidi will know God’s direction in leading the central team as they seek to support a quickly growing community of Faith Guides and Faith Guide churches. He thanks God for the support he and the team receive in prayer and financially.

As we make Revealing Jesus resources available to more users, we have a long-term project to make it far easier for users to search, identify and use them. Pray that those working on the complex project will have wisdom, patience and knowledge.

A number of churches across Wales are now taking part in an all-age rural Revealing Jesus pilot project based on the Go Wild Resource.

This involves using outdoor learning to explore faith as whole 24

51528 Connecting You JJA 2024 stg7 AW.indd 24

Thursday 15

Livewires is a unique holiday for young people who enjoy all sorts of technology. Please pray for Roger and Joel as they lead the holiday, and for the team as they share their passion for Jesus and tech with the young people.

Friday 16

Tuesday 13

Wednesday 14

families. Please pray that God will move in power in the lives of these families.

Pray for Margaret Lilley who will be part of the safeguarding and emergency on-call team over the summer period, visiting holidays and supporting leaders with concerns.

Pray for wisdom and sensitivity.

Saturday 17

Please pray for the young people who come to a club run by Faith Guide Kerry in Crickhowell, South Wales.

A few are experiencing bullying at school. Pray that they will learn to work together and support one another rather than taking out their frustrations on each other.

www.scriptureunion.org.uk

01/05/2024 10:45

Prayers

WEEK BEGINNING AUG 18

Sunday 18

Give thanks for the recent activities conducted in schools by SU in the Solomon Islands and pray that God will continue to use SU to bring hope to children and young people.

Monday 19

Thank God for his continuing provision for Scripture Union England and Wales and pray for continued financial support; may God give us ‘more than we ask or imagine’.

Tuesday 20

Pray for the many children who have played and explored Bible stories through the Guardians of Ancora app. In its time, it has introduced thousands to Jesus, here in England and Wales and right across the world. Give thanks for all its done to make the Bible accessible for the 95.

together the excitement of the holiday and of following Jesus.

Thursday 22

SU is committed to basing its ministry strategy on careful research. Pray that the findings of recent research projects will help us to have an accurate picture of the world of the children and young people with whom we work and will result in more effective and targeted ministry.

Friday 23

As the summer holidays draw to a close, the team are already working on the programme for 2025. Give thanks for the venues that host our holidays and pray that we will be able to set up a great programme of holidays and missions for the coming year.

Wednesday 21

The Track is a motorsports holiday restarting this year for the first time since the pandemic. Please pray for David and Nicola as they lead the holiday for the first time, for Tony as he supports them and for the team and young people to rediscover

Saturday 24

Pray for the editors of Scripture Union’s Bible reading guides, Sally Nash (Daily Bread) and Sally Nelson (Encounter with God), and for all the writers working on daily comments as they seek to help the readers explore the Bible.

www.scriptureunion.org.uk

51528 Connecting You JJA 2024 stg7 AW.indd 25

25

01/05/2024 10:45

Volunteering with a difference Think volunteering at SU is all about working with children?

Think again! We’ve got some great behind-the-scenes opportunities at the moment…

Internal Auditor

We’re looking for a volunteer to support the Scripture Union trustees and senior staff team in: Ensuring compliance with statutory requirements Competent management of risks Responsible stewardship of resources Implementation of best practices

more information su.org.uk/auditor

SU Stamp Bureau Volunteer The Scripture Union Stamp Bureau has raised thousands of pounds thanks to the failthfulness of one supporter who sadly passed away recently.

We’re looking for a volunteer to carry on that work, so if you’d like to turn your enthusiasm for stamp collecting into money to support SU’s mission, please get in touch!

more information su.org.uk/stamps

51528 Connecting You JJA 2024 stg7 AW.indd 26

01/05/2024 10:45