Schools work leads young people… and their families… to Jesus
We debunk some schools work myths
From ‘turner upper’ to SU Mission Enabler
4 10
Rachel brings Jesus into school
Read how Faith Guide Rachel Hanford has found schools ministry to be a great way of building relationships that lead young people… and their families … to Jesus.
School’s (not) out!
Dr Mark Griffiths, SU’s new Mission Resources Director, debunks some myths around schools work. Find out about the amazing opportunities it provides for revealing Jesus.
From ‘turner upper’ to SU Mission Enabler
SU Mission Enabler Jordan Cousins’ family didn’t go to church. But an SU holiday club as a child led to a church connection that helped in his faith journey as a teenager. Read his story and discover a Bible verse that inspires him today.
Our SU story: Harold and Louise Harold and his wife Louise share how they discovered Scripture Union, and what has inspired them to support us in a variety of ways.
Did you know?
As we write, 592 Faith Guides from 464 local churches are actively transforming lives across England and Wales! These passionate volunteers are the heartbeat of our Revealing Jesus strategy — everyday heroes from local churches, who are building deep, lasting relationships that nurture faith. Backed by SU’s one-to-one coaching and powerful, proven resources, they’re making Jesus known in ways that are personal, creative and enduring. Visit su.org.uk/revealingjesus to discover more.
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. Connecting You magazine is also available online at: www.su.org.uk/connectingyou. If you have a
story for Connecting You, or a suggestion on how we could improve our service to you, please contact the editor: eddien@scriptureunion.org.uk
For general enquiries Tel: 01908 856000 Fax: 01908 856111 Email: info@scriptureunion.org.uk www.scriptureunion.org.uk
Published by Scripture Union, Trinity House, Opal Court, Opal Drive, Fox Milne, Milton Keynes, MK15 ODF
Thank you for your partnership in the gospel!
‘I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of
your
partnership in the gospel from the first day until now’ (Philippians 1:3–5 NIV).
As we step into advent, we want to pause and say a heartfelt ‘thank you’. Paul’s words to the Philippians reflect our deep gratitude to you. Like that early church, you have chosen to invest in the work of the gospel consistently and sacrificially. Your faithful support through prayer, giving and partnership is bearing fruit in ways that are both seen and unseen.
This summer, one of our Faith Guides led a holiday club (using our Deep Sea Divers material) for over 70 children – some from church backgrounds and some with no connections. This club has been running for 38 years, faithfully led by volunteers who simply wanted to reach out to their local community. Year after year, they’ve shown up, created space, and Revealed Jesus in ways that are both imaginative and deeply relational.
That kind of long-term impact is only possible because of people like you –those who pray, give, volunteer time and believe in the mission.
You enable us to develop and share resources; to offer holidays and events to children including those who have never come to church; and to equip and support Faith Guides to journey with children and young people, helping them to discover who Jesus is and the difference he makes.
So, today, we thank God for you. We pray with joy, knowing that your partnership is changing lives. We pray that, as you read Connecting You, you will be inspired and encouraged for the vital role you play in helping us reveal Jesus to the next generation.
God bless,
Dave Newton National Director, Scripture Union England and Wales
Rachel brings Jesus into school
Faith Guide Rachel Hanford resides in the former mining community of New Ollerton, near Nottingham. She explains how she has found schools ministry to be a great way of reaching out to the young people in the community, and how she has seen some of them drawing closer to God.
We offer chaplaincy at our local secondary school to around 60 young people. Some just come to grab the hot chocolate and donuts we provide; others stay to play games and discuss a question such as ‘Have you tried praying?’ Some of the young people who attend have nicknamed it ‘Friday Church’!
Subsequently, the school asked me and my husband Richard (the local vicar) to help lead volunteering sessions for pupils, to encourage them in civic responsibility. Volunteering also helps foster connections – between the school and the community, and between us, the school and the young people. While Richard and I can’t evangelise, we can explain to the young people how our faith inspires our volunteering and get them thinking about what the motivation is for them. Then we take them outside to do litter picking, gardening and so on. (One time, we
were tidying the church garden and one young person asked what the building was. I responded, ‘A church – what do you think is inside?’ and they said, ‘I think Jesus is in there’!)
We can explain to the young people how our faith inspires our volunteering.
I also ran after-school music and movement sessions at a church primary school, at the end of which we would have some faith discussions. During World Book Day week, I read You Are Special by Max Lucado and explained how Eli in the story represented God.
The power of relationships
By being a consistent presence in schools in various ways, we’ve built relationships that have encouraged pupils to explore faith, respond and grow. For example, one 9-year-old we met in school asked her dad to bring her to church. She’s since been baptised and her dad now follows Jesus too! And a group of lads we met through Friday Church
RACHEL
asked to come to our after-school youth group. At first they were jokey and a bit rowdy, but then they took the free Bibles our church provided (supplied by charity ‘Good News for Everyone’) and have been reading them and asking questions. Several of our youth group now want to be baptised.
I’m so grateful to God for SU’s support as I walk with children and young people on their faith journey. The Revealing Jesus framework enables me to identify what stage they’re at and share Jesus in ways they’ll understand. And it’s great being part of the Faith Guide network where we share ideas and encourage one another.
I value the input from my SU Mission Enabler Dom, too. For example, having those lively lads join our youth groups was great but it changed the dynamics – not least
because they’re at a different stage of their faith journey! So, when the rest of the group did Bible study and worship, Dom suggested the new lads go off with a leader to play sport. That enabled us to get to know them and have some informal faith conversations. It worked and things have settled down.
This summer, when SU set up a village within DTI festival, providing meals and support to youth leaders and Faith Guides with smaller groups, I volunteered as a cook. Next year I’m hoping to take my own youth group along so they can learn more of God’s amazing grace and deep love for them.
Several of our youth group now want to be baptised.
Supercharge your children’s or youth outreach
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to take things to the next level, your local SU team is here to help you dream big, plan boldly and make a lasting impact. We’ll work with you to shape outreach that fits your context and connects deeply with young lives. Let’s unlock the potential together – discover how at su.org.uk/local.
Prayers
Sunday 23
Pray that the Creation Care consultation organised by Scripture Union International which takes place this week will inspire wise stewardship of God’s creation and will encourage national movements to explore how this might feature in their ministry.
Monday 24
Pray for Chip, Tim, Rachel and all the other choir leaders as music-based Mission Partner Soul Children UK prepares for Christmas performances. Ask God to inspire the young singers, draw many to Jesus through their songs and spark a movement of faith across schools and communities.
Tuesday 25
Pray for Faith Guides and Local Mission Partners across Wales as they deliver Christmas events and activities in their local communities helping children and young people to connect with Jesus, explore further, respond to him and grow in faith.
Wednesday 26
Thank God for the Young Leaders’ weekend which took place recently. Pray that the young people who took part will grow in
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faith and impact their generation for Jesus. Pray too for those supporting them on that journey.
Thursday 27
Pray for churches and organisations who are using our book The Grumpy Owl and the Joy of Christmas asking that the children they interact with at Christmas will glimpse something of who Jesus is and the truth of the Christmas season.
Friday 28
Pray for Mission Partner LightSpace in Grantham as they continue to help primary age school children to grow in their knowledge and understanding of Christianity and as they provide high-quality, creative resources to communicate with children in a contemporary and accessible way.
Saturday 29
Pray for Paul Folland as he heads up the Mission Events team. He asks for particular prayer for his team as they plan for the conference they’re running for SU holiday and event leaders at the end of January. Pray that the team would hear from God and create a weekend that will build community, encourage everyone and provide effective training.
Prayers
Sunday 30
Pray that the SU New Zealand training event for summer camp leaders this weekend will equip leaders especially in health and safety and Bible engagement. Pray that their E3 adventure expeditions taking place 8–14 December will deepen the faith of the young people who attend.
Monday 1
Please pray for Mission Events Coordinator Heidi Beckham. She’s working with SU’s Finance team on a new holiday and volunteer expenses app which aims to make managing holiday finances simpler and smoother. Pray that this will help leaders and volunteers to focus more fully on ministry.
Tuesday 2
Recently, Jack Newbould (Mission Enabler in Wales) has seen an openness among churches on his doorstep. Please pray for continued connections with local churches and an eagerness to work together to reach the children and young people in the community, especially with the new Christmas Unwrapped resource.
Wednesday 3
Praise God for all who faithfully support us in prayer and giving. Pray that God will encourage them and that we will be able to inspire a new
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generation of supporters, so that many more children and young people will encounter Jesus in a life-changing way.
Thursday 4
Pray for Matt Farley (Mission Enabler in the central region) as he works with others on the staff and communications team to develop
‘Mission Sparks’ – new multimedia ways of inspiring people in mission with children and young people.
Friday 5
Pray for the lead team members of Mission Partner, The Sports Factory: Tim Henery, Alice Fowler, Ruth Anderson, Susie Bratby, Josh Samuel and Eddie Timberlake. Pray that the learning community days and Games Maker training day will inspire and equip new and existing leaders.
Saturday 6
Geoff Brown (Mission Enabler in the north) is passionate about equipping Christian young people to share their faith with their friends. Please pray for him as he promotes the new Shine Films series, HOPE, asking that it will be an effective tool to enable such sharing.
Prayers
Sunday 7
Pray that God will raise up younger Associates of SU Nigeria’s Fellowship of Christian Students as staff to share the vision in tertiary institutions, and for the upcoming camp meetings (19–22 Dec) across nearly 100 venues.
Monday 8
Pray for our team in the north as they support Faith Guides who are running events and activities in schools in the build-up to Christmas. Pray that this would lead to many children and young people having the opportunity to explore who Jesus is and why his birth is so important.
Tuesday 9
Pray for Mission Partner The Bus Stop and their mission planning with the Diocese of York, looking at how best they can resource rural churches currently without youthwork, but with a desire to connect with young people.
Wednesday 10
Revealing Jesus Pioneer Ian Kent is working towards a new SU holiday in
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the north region built around sports and outdoor activities. Please pray that plans will fall into place so that this holiday can take place next year.
Thursday 11
Pray for all the young people who attended our events this year. Pray that the impact of those events will live long in their memory and that the transforming work of God in their lives will continue.
Friday 12
Please pray for Sue Winning as she serves in her role as Company Secretary. Pray that her work will help strengthen the charity’s mission, and that she will be encouraged and inspired and have wisdom and clarity as she supports good governance.
Saturday 13
Pray for our new schools’ resources Leap of Faith and Step by Step, which are set to be ready for the start of the new school term in January. Ask that they will be effective in helping many children and young people to encounter Jesus.
School’s (not) out!
Few children and young people go to church. But most are in school – and many are open to hearing about faith. Revd Dr Mark Griffiths, SU’s new Mission Resources Director, wants to encourage every church to take up the amazing opportunities there are for revealing Jesus.
Mark
Mark, who has served on SU’s Council and Board, is a seasoned leader with a heart for sharing Jesus with children and young people. He has led New Wine’s children and family ministry, authored books on evangelism to children and young people and has been a youth and children’s worker himself.
He is passionate about schools ministry, having led over 3,000 assemblies! ‘There’s an entire generation that has never heard about Jesus, and schools give us the opportunity to share the good news with children and young people who won’t hear it any other way.’
But sometimes churches hold back from going into schools because they assume there are lots of barriers. Below, Mark challenges some common myths and why churches should give schools ministry a go:
Schools won’t let you share Jesus: ‘There are great opportunities to Connect with pupils and help them Explore faith, although you may need to cover Respond and Grow outside of the school environment, for example in a youth group or after-school club.’
Schools don’t welcome church involvement: ‘Legally, schools must hold a daily act of broadly Christian collective worship. But teachers are trained to teach classes of 30 pupils, not lead assemblies for several hundred children and fellow teachers! Besides, it’s challenging if they aren’t Christian. So, a church that presents themselves well is a real gift to schools.
‘Plus, schools are desperate for help from the wider community, including the church – with reading, running lunch clubs, helping with school trips, Parent Teachers Associations, being a school governor.’
You don’t make quality connections with children by doing assemblies: ‘You do, if you do assemblies regularly – and invites to your lunch or after-school clubs, youth outreach project and holiday clubs will be better received. It’s all about relationship!’
Church schools are no different FROM other schools: ‘They can and should have a distinctive Christian ethos. But that requires the right headteacher – and given that school governors appoint headteachers, there’s one good reason to become one!’
You have to be young and energetic to engage with schools: ‘Schools want people who are consistent, faithful, dependable and have a right heart. People who genuinely love the children they work with are much more valuable than those who can present a polished performance at the front of a school assembly.’
You’ve got to launch schools’ initiatives at the start of the academic year: ‘September is the worst time! Schools are catching up on admin and settling in new pupils. Try the months leading up to Christmas or Easter; and in the summer term you could do some Mission Through Sport, or support children transitioning to secondary school.’
We’re here to help We’re keen to help every church wanting to start schools ministry – our Mission Enablers can provide advice, and we offer training and a great range of mission resources with exciting plans to develop more. Please pray with us that churches will seek to connect with pupils at their local school and journey with them year-round as they explore faith for themselves. Visit su.org.uk/schools for more information.
Prayers
WEEK BEGINNING DEC 14
Please pray for the vital mission already being done by churches in schools – and for more churches to develop schools ministry.
Sunday 14
Give thanks to God for the schools ministry being undertaken by Rachel Hanford and many other Faith Guides across England and Wales (see page 4), and for all the children and young people who are having the opportunity to learn more about Jesus.
Monday 15
Please pray that Rachel and her team will grow and develop in their gifts, and that all Faith Guides involved in mission in schools will find able and willing volunteers to assist them in this vital work.
Tuesday 16
Please pray for the children and young people exploring faith through the ministry of churches in schools. Ask God to give them a thirst to get to know Jesus for themselves.
Wednesday 17
Praise God for the many opportunities to reveal Jesus to children and young people in school settings. Ask him to bless and strengthen the relationships
between those churches engaged in schools ministry and the schools in which they are working.
Thursday 18
Please pray that God will inspire churches not yet involved in schools ministry to take the first steps in it, and to reach out to Scripture Union for support and encouragement.
Friday 19
Give thanks to God for all that Mark Griffiths and his team are doing to develop exciting new resources for schools. Please pray that God releases the resources needed to ensure they are available to all whose ministry would benefit from using them.
Saturday 20
Please pray for the children and young people who have responded to Jesus through ministry in schools. Ask God to bless them with spiritual mentors to journey with them and help their faith to grow and flourish.
Prayers
Sunday 21
Pray for the summer season in Australia with over 150 camps and missions planned. Pray that the 2,000 volunteers will communicate God’s love and the transforming power of Jesus and that many may respond to Jesus.
Monday 22
Pray for Mission Partner Coniston Christian Fellowship as they facilitate outreach to the children and young people of Coniston. Pray for God’s direction as they oversee the various children’s and youth groups, and other initiatives with volunteer support from the local churches.
Tuesday 23
At this time of year, the number of cyber-attacks tends to increase. Pray that our supporters, customers and volunteers will be safe in the online world, and for SU’s Digital Solutions team as they ensure that our systems and data are secure.
Wednesday 24
Pray for Mission Events Coordinator Sue Hill as she continues to support the Mission Events team with the co-ordination and administration of national and regional events. Pray specifically for the smooth running of the recently updated booking system which now
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enables bookings for guests and volunteers for more than one year.
Thursday 25
Today, as we rejoice in God’s wonderful gift of love, make some time to pray for children and young people who haven’t yet had the opportunity to hear the good news. Pray for those who are exploring ways of reaching them.
Friday 26
Rejoice with us in God’s goodness to us and the incredible work he has done through our Rooted, Diary of a Disciple and So, What Next? resources. As you give thanks, pray that these publications will continue to help children and young people grow in faith.
Saturday 27
SU’s staff are spread all around England and Wales. Pray for them as they seek to find creative ways to build and strengthen relationships across the various regions and teams. Ask God to bless this collaboration to bring even more creative missionfocused ideas to life.
Prayers
Sunday 28
Pray for the successful launch of the new free digital app featuring devotionals, podcasts, camp registrations and schedules produced by SU Portugal. Pray that God will provide all that is needed for this project to flourish and reach many.
Monday 29
Pray for Fundraising Manager Kathy Brooks as, at the start of the year, she seeks God’s guidance on the best way to manage the fundraising team. Join her in praying that God will continue to provide the finances for ministry.
Tuesday 30
Please pray for Nic Findlay (Revealing Jesus Pioneer) as she supports Faith Guides across Merseyside who are working in difficult circumstances and with challenging young people. Pray that these Faith Guides will have strength and perseverance to keep sharing the good news of Jesus even when it’s tough.
Wednesday 31
Pray for Mission Partner Hunsley Christian Youth Trust as they focus on working in schools to provide
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support to Christian Unions, help students make the transition from primary to secondary and provide lunchtime activities alongside a range of other schools work.
Thursday 1
Pray that God will lead Scripture Union clearly in the coming year and that we will respond boldly, revealing Jesus to the next generation, empowering Faith Guides, and inspiring churches to build communities where young lives encounter God’s transforming love.
Friday 2
Thank God for the volunteer members of the SU Council who provide a forum for the development of spiritual vision and discernment of God’s leading on the overall direction of the movement. Ask God to bless them in their service and to give them wisdom and discernment in their role.
Saturday 3
Pray for Mission Partner Exeter ICE as they prepare to host the LIFE exhibition, an interactive experience where 500 pupils from many primary schools will walk through the events of Holy Week and decide for themselves who they think Jesus really is.
Prayers
Sunday 4
Pray for the staff team of SU Hong Kong at a time of transition. With three new members this year and three preparing to retire, pray for wisdom and unity among the team, and for the right people to join in the future.
Monday 5
Last year, Janine Parkinson (Mission Enabler in the central region) had lots of new Faith Guides sign up, as well as lots of changes with the ones she was previously supporting. Pray that she will have the time and resources to effectively equip all of these Faith Guides.
Tuesday 6
At the end of the month, we’re running a conference for those who lead SU events. Pray that attendees will be refreshed and equipped in their role, that they’ll enjoy a sense of community and may hear from God together for the events they will be running and the young people who will come on them.
Wednesday 7
Pray for Sarah Bowey (Sports Mission Pioneer) as she supports ‘Holy Ground’ spaces in Durham, Sunderland and Newcastle –
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inspiring and equipping churches to adopt communal places to reach out to young people through weekly sports projects. Pray that the young people will feel a sense of belonging and learn about the hope we have in Jesus.
Thursday 8
Pray for a successful outcome from the prayer breakfast for Mission Partner Graceworks in Romford, for unity and harmony with trustees, good turnout of both students and supporters and for Jesus to be glorified.
Friday 9
As we venture into a new year of Bible Reading Guides, pray that each day will continue to build the faith of those who use them whether online, in print or through the app.
Saturday 10
Pray for Bex Jignasu as she works with the regional teams to provide effective support for our Mission Partners. Pray for guidance and wisdom, as we aim to develop and grow our relationships with existing partners and recruit new ones to maximise the impact of our mission.
Prayers
Sunday 11
Pray that the 30 young people who attended the SU Ukraine Youth Weekend ‘Who is Your God?’ based on Daniel 3 last October will continue to grow in faith and will serve God faithfully. Pray for safety and protection.
Monday 12
As the 20 Local Mission Partners in the south region start a new year, pray for fresh energy, passion and strength for the workers, trustees and volunteers. Pray too for new opportunities across schools and communities among young people, teachers and parents.
Tuesday 13
For 12 years, Mark Green (who happens to celebrate his 60th birthday today!) has been at the heart of most of the major projects improving our systems and ways of working. Give thanks for all that has been achieved and pray for him as he leads the Digital Solutions team at a time of rapid change.
Wednesday 14
Give thanks for those who have faithfully served God through Scripture Union in the past and
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11
who enjoy fellowship through the Scripture Union Retirees Network. Some have gone to be with the Lord in recent months – pray for those who grieve.
Thursday 15
Please pray for Dave Newton in his role as National Director of Scripture Union. Ask for clarity of vision, confidence in the gospel and commitment to God’s calling. Dave asks us to pray that he would be consistent in character, constantly full of zeal for God’s Word and captivated by Christ.
Friday 16
Over recent months, we’ve been blessed to have new people join the SU staff team. Give thanks to God for all those recent starters, and ask him to lead and guide them in their new roles.
Saturday 17
Pray for Mission Partner Great Open Door as they deliver Christian assemblies and lessons into local primaries in Harlow. This month they hope to book Key Stage 1 lessons explaining Easter and Pentecost alongside the assembly programme on forgiveness.
From ‘turner upper’ to SU Mission Enabler
In our last Connecting You, we shared how young people without church connections have been just turning up at churches nationwide. SU Mission Enabler Jordan Cousins can empathise deeply with them – because he was a ‘turner upper’ too! He relates how he came to faith and reveals a Bible verse that inspires him.
Recently, I was preaching at a Surrey church that supports SU. I got chatting to the curate who told me a story of a lad in his midteens – let’s call him ‘Pete’. He had no connection to the church, but he turned up at their 9.30am service with a friend one Sunday in late 2023. His friend stopped coming, so everyone was surprised when Pete returned every week, especially as this service is very traditional and has an older congregation. But Pete would stay on for coffee and a chat afterwards and found a warm welcome and friendship.
A year after he first turned up, Pete decided he wanted to be baptised.
So how did Pete come to be there? Well, his interest was first kindled by
RE/philosophy lessons and debates in school and he wanted to find out more. His parents aren’t Christians but were happy for him to explore faith and try church.
My family weren’t Christians, but they sent me to an SU holiday club at a local church.
And that’s my story too. My family weren’t Christians, but they sent me to an SU holiday club at a local church – it was free childcare!
Asking questions
Later, in my teens I was exploring things like life after death. I got hold of a Bible and the first thing I read was Revelation 21 about how there will be no more crying or pain. I wanted to ask questions about this, so I asked my dad to find me somewhere to help. He discovered
JORDAN
that the church with the holiday club also had a youth group, so he sent me there. I learned a lot but was yet to encounter Jesus in my heart.
Then the church took me to Spring Harvest. At an evening session, young people were sharing what they’d been doing that day. One girl said ‘Well, I walked’, and we all laughed, because hadn’t we all been walking? But she explained, ‘Last night I was in a wheelchair, then my friends prayed for me and now I can walk.’ And I remembered I’d seen her being prayed for, and thought ‘Wow, this is real! This stuff actually happens today!’ I found my youth worker and we prayed for Jesus to come into my life.
Back home, I got involved in some of the children’s work – and I loved it! Later I became a youth worker myself, and in November 2024 I joined SU as a Mission Enabler.
Zephaniah 3:17 (New Living Translation) really spoke to me as a teenager, and it still does:
‘For the Lord your God is living among you.
He is a mighty saviour. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.’
I found it so powerful that God not only loves us, he positively delights in us!
Young people don’t want clever theological arguments. They want to know how God can make a difference to their lives. This verse explains how God wants a relationship with them – he is a mighty saviour, yet he lives among us, offering love and grace freely to all.
And I love that while we’re singing praises to him, he is rejoicing over us with ‘joyful songs’!
Wow, this is real! This stuff actually happens today.
Jordan’s story is just the beginning
As a Mission Enabler, he’s now empowering churches to reach those on the margins – the curious and the questioning in the community, and those who walk through church doors with no faith background but a hunger for something real. It’s your generosity that makes this possible. Your gifts help place Mission Enablers like Jordan across England and Wales, equipping churches to welcome and journey with young people who are discovering Jesus for the first time. Give a gift today at su.org.uk/donate.
Prayers
WEEK BEGINNING JAN 18
Please pray that Jesus will be revealed to more children and young people in the year ahead – especially those without church connections.
Sunday 18
Give thanks to God that he doesn’t just call those with a Christian upbringing to become co-heirs of his kingdom – his call is for everyone, everywhere!
Monday 19
Praise God for calling children and young people like ‘Pete’ to search for him. Please pray that every church is ready to welcome them and help them take the next steps on their faith journey.
Tuesday 20
At the start of this new year, please pray for Jordan and all SU Mission Enablers and Faith Guides. Ask God to energise and encourage them as they work together to reveal Jesus to more children and young people who may know little of him.
Wednesday 21
Give thanks to God for the precious gift of scripture and how he used
those words from Zephaniah to encourage Mission Enabler Jordan.
Thursday 22
Please pray that in the months ahead we will see many more children and young people discovering the joy of reading the Bible so they can grow closer to God through its wisdom and inspiration.
Friday 23
With SU holidays now open for booking, please pray that we’ll see many more children and young people coming on them and having unforgettable encounters with Jesus (see back page).
Saturday 24
Please pray for all the volunteer leaders and team, without whom SU holidays and missions would not happen. Please pray too that God will call more people to become volunteers (see back page).
Prayers
Sunday 25
Join SU Scotland in praising God for the six young people who started a gap year in August. Pray that they will grow and thrive in their placements, relate well to their supervisors, and rely on God’s strength in all they do.
Monday 26
Pray for our new holiday club material, Kingdom Builders. Ask God that those children who are already part of God’s kingdom may grow as disciples, and those who are yet to give their lives to Jesus will be encouraged to see that they too can become part of God’s kingdom.
Tuesday 27
Please pray that Content Administrator Isaac O’Brien will make wise and creative decisions as he works on a range of resources and that these resources will be a helpful tool for all who use them, stirring deeper conversations about God and the Bible.
Wednesday 28
Please pray for our Digital Solutions team as they focus on supporting and encouraging all staff to engage with our digital systems in ways that help us make more informed decisions based on the data being captured from our different ministries.
Thursday 29
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25
Pray for Mission Partner The Pimlico Foundation as they launch Mind Over Matter, supporting young people struggling with mental health, especially those out of school. Pray that they will find the young people at the right time and provide hope, healing and lasting change in their lives.
Friday 30
Pray for the ongoing development of exciting pioneer ministry resources and their use by Faith Guides in the central region. Pray too for Faith Guides in the region preparing to help children make the move to secondary school later this year with It’s Your Move.
Saturday 31
Grace Inwood (Facilities and Administration Assistant) asks us to pray that suppliers and contractors visiting the building may understand something of what we do and why we do it and may want to explore the Christian faith further.
Prayers
Sunday 1
Pray for the recruitment of a new national director for SU Chad. Pray that God will lead and guide this process, raising up the right person in his timing – someone with wisdom, vision and a servant heart to lead the ministry faithfully.
Monday 2
Pray for Mission Partner Southampton City Mission as they lead Question of Faith days in up to 50 different schools. Pray for team leaders Ellie, Joyce, Reuben, Charis and Teresa as they plan and prepare these Christianity RE workshops and that they will encourage pupils to think seriously about the Christian faith.
Tuesday 3
Please pray for Revealing Jesus Pioneer Kate Doogan as she continues to work with her current Faith Guides and connects with new churches in the Merseyside area. Pray for wisdom as she begins the process of setting up a Soul Children’s Choir in Liverpool alongside some Faith Guides.
Wednesday 4
Join the Events team in praying for volunteers to join us this summer. Without them none of the
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events can take place. Thank God for those who return year after year and pray for new volunteers to come forward.
Thursday 5
Pray for the Scripture Union team presenting SU resources at the Hand in Hand children’s work conference this weekend. Pray that resources will find their way into the right hands and those who are speaking will equip and empower God’s people.
Friday 6
Pray for the Board, consisting of the Trustees and the staff Leadership team, as they seek God’s leading for the strategic direction of the movement and ensure compliance with the necessary regulations. Pray for wisdom in decision-making and faith in planning.
Saturday 7
Pray for Mission Partner, Cynllun Efe as they seek to appoint a Welshspeaking youth worker for the Llanberis area of North Wales, so that the work they do continues to glorify the Lord and draws children and young people to him.
Our SU story: Harold and Louise
Harold and his wife Louise are originally from Australia. Now retired, they live in London. They share how they discovered Scripture Union, and what has inspired them to support us in a variety of ways.
Scripture Union was part of Harold’s upbringing. ‘I was the youngest in a large family and went each summer to an SU beach mission in Queensland where my oldest brother was one of the team. In high school I attended Crusaders every week (it’s part of SU in Australia). Later I became a leader in beach missions, camps and high school groups.’
Harold and Louise moved to America for 20 years for work. On returning to Australia, they resumed helping at Apollo Bay Beach Mission. ‘Our teenage daughter became a leader on the team,’ recalls Louise. ‘And I went along as a cook’s helper and general support.’
Both Harold and Louise are big fans of SU’s Bible Reading Guides, which Harold began using when he was just ten. He says, ‘It got me into reading scripture every day. There was a card with the notes to help you track what you had read. I’d stick a pin into every day I completed – and I actually did manage to read the whole Bible!’
Louise enjoys using SU’s Encounter with God daily notes. She says, ‘I like that it’s printed not digital, so you can scribble in the margins and highlight things. I use my old copies in preparing to lead Bible study
We donate to SU because of what they’ve done for us, and what they’re doing to introduce young people to faith today.
sessions at our church for a big group of seniors. The notes are just the right level for them. I get extra copies to distribute when group members ask me where I get my ideas from!’
Harold says, ‘We donate to SU because of what they’ve done for us, and what they’re doing to introduce young people to faith today, particularly in getting them reading the Bible. It’s a practice I’m so glad SU got ingrained into me – it’s been a blessing and fundamental to my Christian life.’
Share your SU story
Why do you love Scripture Union? Has one (or more) of our ministries made a real impact? We’d love to hear about it, and we’re sure our other readers would too. Please email your story to our editor, Eddie Nock – eddien@scriptureunion.org.uk
Prayers
Sunday 8
Pray for the Green Classrooms Project run by SU Honduras which supports families in vulnerable communities by training them to grow their own food. Pray that God will provide the resources and people needed to sustain and expand this ministry.
Monday 9
Please pray for creativity for Communications Officer Beckie Cox, as she develops ways of communicating the stories of God at work through SU. Ask for more opportunities to share the heart and vision of SU with the church in England and Wales.
Tuesday 10
Trustee Sarah Smart is excited by hearing what God is doing through SU at Board meetings. She asks us to pray that the Board of Trustees will continue to seek God’s wisdom, listening to God for innovative ways to engage with children and young people while staying true to our vision and mission.
Wednesday 11
Pray for the Gen Alpha working group in Wales as they explore the implications of the Gen Alpha research project and seek to implement its recommendations. Pray too for Faith Guides and Local
Mission
WEEK BEGINNING FEB 8
Partners across Wales as they prepare to deliver Easter events in their local communities.
Thursday 12
Pray for the workers at Mission Partner Impact Schools based in North Powys – Darren Mayor, Huw Ellis and Cara Garton. Ask that they will be able to share the gospel effectively in local primary and high schools.
Friday 13
Zoraida Ali-Smith (PA to the Director of Mobilisation) also provides support for the Safeguarding Manager. She asks us to pray that children and young people will get all the help they need and that event teams will act wisely and sensitively if safeguarding issues come to light.
Saturday 14
Give thanks for the Rooted retreat days that have taken place in schools across Greater Manchester. Pray that the pupils will have understood that God knows and loves them and that they will continue their journey of faith.
Prayers
Sunday 15
Pray that all those who came to the adult Bible study camps held in three places last October by SU Nepal will continue to experience God’s presence, grow in understanding of God’s Word, and come closer to him.
Monday 16
Pray for Regional Support Worker
Sarah Howard-Smith as she prepares for the northern gathering of Faith Guides and Local Mission Partners. Pray for all the administrative details and for the publicity as it goes out. Pray for a good attendance at this opportunity to catch up, learn from each other and pray together.
Tuesday 17
Please pray that God will continue to provide the finances needed to support and grow the mission of SU in revealing Jesus to children and young people in England and Wales.
Wednesday 18
Pray for Mission Partner Hope Pembrokeshire as they focus on building and widening their youth and families team this year. Pray for wisdom,
WEEK BEGINNING FEB 15
guidance, inspiration and provision as they seek to grow their mission.
Thursday 19
Pray for all those who are struggling with their outreach to children and young people. Ask God to help them find out about the support Scripture Union can offer them.
Friday 20
Pray that new resources being prepared for children about to move to secondary school later in the year will bring peace and comfort to children and their parents at a time of change and will introduce them to Jesus.
Saturday 21
Pray for Mission
Enabler Neil Jackson as he encourages Faith Guides and others in the Teesside area to connect with each other and support and pray for one other in the development of simple summer outreach activities. Pray that this project started last year will gain momentum in 2026.
Holiday heaven
Do you have special memories of going on SU holidays or missions? They’re a little taster of God’s kingdom! Here’s a little flavour from our 2025 events:
‘One young man started going to Kestrels as a child. In his teens, like many young people, he had had mental health struggles and had stepped back from church. Nevertheless, he always came sailing with SU. Now he’s back at church, and a leader on the holiday.’
‘A young leader was interviewing another young leader about her testimony. I remember when they came to Ka’zoo as kids. To see the impact residential ministry has had on their lives, as well as how they are now sharing God with the next generation, was an amazing thing.’
1,078 volunteers
3,000 guests 35 holidays and 6 missions
Be part of the SU holiday and events story!
Book a holiday or sign up as a volunteer at su.org.uk/holidays Scan for holidays 2025 photos
