News

Our passion that even more children and young people meet Jesus, has been at the heart of SU’s national journey. I’m part of the National Leadership Team and we’re developing plans for a national movement of local mission teams, enabled by strong equipping and ministry resources and national structures.

The prospect of launching new ministry across WA and Australia is particularly exciting.

In a world where organisational requirements and compliance take increasing energy, it’s really clear that we can only grow these opportunities with a single national organisation. This is the only way we can release resources and align our strategies towards a shared vision. Working towards organisational change in 2020, we hope that the national SU will commence on the 1st of July.

The harvest is great! We love that God will continue to use SU in his purposes for children and young people, here in WA and across Australia!

Kent Morgan

News

People and Leadership Development and Training has seen slow but steady growth, particularly with the increase in LEAD camp participant numbers. Over the year we have run 30 non ministry-specific training events, with 324 participants. 100% of these people reported that they grew and were satisfied with the training event. We have received excellent feedback about LEAD camps and hope that this translates to increased attendance and church engagement.

“The best part about LEAD camps is the amazing community and family feel of it from the moment you walk in the door, and the leaders are there for you even when you’re not on camp.”

“I think every young person should come to LEAD because it’s a great week, awesome personal and leadership development as a mixture of theoretical and practical learning alongside other fun and loving people. I’ve never come away from a LEAD camp feeling like I wasted my time, on the contrary, I’d call it the best possible use for my time in that week.”

We have also received very encouraging feedback since the rollout of our updated Orientation training. Volunteer comments included, “Great variety of formats”; and in answer to the question, ‘Which parts were least helpful?’ we received the comments “Everything was helpful” and “None – always good to refresh ALL areas covered.” It’s been exciting to see Orientation refreshed, and to have a renewed confidence that all volunteers are on the same page in terms of beliefs and commitment to our Aims to see people and young people discover and build relationship with Jesus. We will be releasing an online Orientation training package for our regional volunteers very shortly, and look forward to sharing our DNA with new volunteers in a more accessible and interesting way.

El Holmes

News

This year has been a great year for our Community Mission program. Our Summer Mission teams, AMUC camp and Cheers Community outreach has continued to reach out to people with the gospel. We are looking forward to expanding our Summer Mission program from its current eight teams to include others from Esperance, Narrogin and perhaps Exmouth and Geraldton.

Our Boost Youth Discipleship program has been running now for 18 months of a 2 year cycle and, during this time, we have worked with some 50 young people to develop their skills and boost their understanding of their faith. This journey has been an amazing experience to participate in as we have explored a number of quite weighty topics. Such topics include Christian vs other world views, leading small groups and individuals on a discipleship journey, sharing life and faith, outreach, and hands-on leadership skills. This program has 15-18 year olds as its target and seeks to prepare our young people as they leave high school and move into university and the work force. We are looking forward to reaching a new audience for the two years ahead and we trust the friends and family from SU will encourage their children to join us to grow & develop their teenage children.

Paul Edwards

News

Fine Edge went out with a bang last season with a wonderful Christmas show that toured the metro, south and northern rural areas of WA sharing the story of Jesus’ message of love and grace to all. The show was received with absolute delight! We had some lovely feedback from teachers, and some students sent in drawings and letters to their favourite characters!

We are now full steam ahead with Reel Change as videos are being completed and schools are being contacted with the details of the program. We are also sharing the films with some current chaplains and teachers for feedback so that we can make sure the program is lining up with what schools need and want at the moment. A fundraiser is running at the moment for Reel Change, through ‘Go Fund Me’, as we need to purchase some film equipment to be able to continue collecting the stories we find! We have some wonderful stories to share from everyday Western Australians, who walk us through their journeys with God and what they have learnt about His character through those times. I can’t wait to see these films opening up discussions in high schools and also presenting and normalising a side of God that perhaps hasn’t been explored by these young people before. Please pray for Reel Change as we begin sharing these stories in schools, that doors and minds will be opened for young people to start building a real picture of who God is.

Bonnie Hughes

News

Many of SU’s family who have had their life touched through its ministry are so appreciative that they couldn’t imagine WA without SU and therefore take steps to make sure it continues for years to come.

Are you aware that you can leave a legacy to SU WA in your Will? By leaving a legacy, you help provide an opportunity for ongoing ministry, enabling future generations to hear the gospel. Please consider including SU WA in your Will.

Contact the SU WA office on 9371-9100 or email info@suwa.org.au for more information on how you can leave a legacy to SU WA.

News

Dinner, live music, ministry celebration and AGM.

Save the date! Saturday 26th October, 5 – 8:30pm @ Lake Gwelup Christian Church.

You’re invited to come and celebrate the ministry of SU WA and join in a focus discussion on the nationalisation of Scripture Union.

Go to suwa.org.au/campfire for more details.

News

You might not know, but in Australia, SU in each state is a fully autonomous organisation. Since November 2015 there has been ongoing conversation about how greater collaboration and cooperation between us all could further and grow ministry across the country. Those of you who attended the National Conference in 2016 loved the shared heart & vision of SU across Australia. Last year, many of you gathered to consider the possibility of a national organisation, what the issues are for us here in the West, and where are things at now?

In 2019, discussions have moved to the process for joining SU together across Australia. Key staff have dreamed together and always at the heart has been the question of how to grow ministry – through better support, more resources, new initiatives and collaborative wisdom. The Chairs and Directors of each state see great benefit in nationalising and while there are still many considerations to deal with, a vibrant vision is emerging of greater sharing of effective ministry tools and development of ministry in new places…
It’s an exciting time for SU in Australia!

Come along in May to one of the Q & A sessions to hear more and to explore what this new development means.

Thursday 23rd May 7.30pm, south of the river (contact SU office for address).

Monday 27th May 7.30pm, at SU office.

News

SU WA Orientation
Wednesday 13th June, 6:30pm – 9:30pm
Saturday 22nd June, 9am – 12pm

See the website for more information: www.suwa.org.au/orientation-training/ or contact El at el.holmes@suwa.org.au or 9371 9100.

Mental Health First Aid
If you are interested in completing your Mental Health First Aid (a 2-day course), please email an Expression of Interest to our Training Coordinator, El Holmes. el.holmes@suwa.org.au

News

Opening an office upstairs at 931a Hay St and appointing a staff worker were significant steps of faith in WA in 1957. In that year the wonderful Barbara Chappell was appointed as the first staff worker, to be shared between SU, CSSM and the ISCF of Crusaders, before the Scripture Union of WA was officially formed in October 1959.

Barbara’s many years of service as a SU staff member then a volunteer was a great model for the mainly young leaders who comprised the leadership in those early days.

Barbara passed away peacefully in late February. She was the widow of Dr Peter Chappell, who was the first chairman of SU WA.

News

SU WA is a movement of passionate Christians belonging to over 250 churches. We long to see children and young people experience the love of Jesus in relationship and community and to have the opportunity to come to know and follow Him. Furthermore, for young people to grow in their walk with Jesus and in Christian leadership as they serve and are trained.

Check out this little snapshot of the impact we’ve had in the lives of children and young people as we live this out together:
• 83% of young people who attend an SU camp have said they’ve grown significantly closer to God as a result.
• 85% of attendees on LEAD Camp feel more confident, equipped and empowered as a Christian leader through camp.

Praise God for this work He is doing in the lives of children and young people!

There are many great new ministry paths happening in 2019, with a reboot of Schools Ministry, development of Reel Change Digital Story-telling and the new Journey Youth Ministry support program. These ministries are all partnering with churches to take the good news of Jesus to young Western Australians. Read about some of them in this SU News.

Money from programs covers some costs, but we cannot do this work without the support of people like you. This June, we will again offer 50% tax deductibility for your gifts, but we are working hard to increase this again in future. Let’s pray together for God’s faithful provision for His work.

Blessings, Kent Morgan