Scripture Union South Africa: 100 years of transforming lives & spreading hope

For Scripture Union South Africa (SU), celebrating 100 years of transforming lives and spreading the message of hope is a testament to our enduring commitment to our mission – leading young people to know and walk with God. Let’s explore the vibrant array of some of Scripture Union’s initiatives that continue to shape and inspire communities today.

Holiday clubs
There is no denying that holiday clubs are landmark moments of fun and spiritual growth. SU has perfected a model that is relational, Bible-based, fun, safe, affordable, and rooted in local churches. These clubs enrich communities, often uniting churches across denominations for common good. They also provide ideal opportunities for local church members to engage in mission work. The possibilities for serving are endless, and SU offers training to support these efforts.

SU camps
One of SU’s foundational ministries is camping. We believe that taking young people out of their everyday environments and into safe, peaceful settings is a powerful tool for holistic transformation. We’ve watched with immense satisfaction as kids start attending camp in grade four, grow into camp assistant leaders by grade eight, and eventually become camp leaders. Some even join the ranks of camp directors and planners in their university years. SU camps provide the perfect safe space for testing independence and making mistakes, helping shy or withdrawn kids transform into outstanding leaders. SU is very proud of our very own Stoney Ridge Campsite in Magaliesburg. We have a team that is geared to serve, and programmes that are FUN-damental to a great experience.

To find out about us facilitating your next leadership, team building, or youth development camp contact your regional SU office.

Leadership and training programmes
Training is a key tool that empowers what we do at SU. Here are a few of our programmes that we run in various regions:

• In the Eastern Cape, the Practical Leadership Programme aims to empower young leaders by equipping them with essential skills for effective service and personal growth. The programme focuses on foundational leadership principles such as self-leadership and influence, fostering growth through workshops, mentorship, and practical application in their communities and at SU’s summer camps.
• In the Western Cape, we offer October Leadership – a training programme for high school learners who are leaders or potential leaders of a school Christian group. Children’s Ministry Training is an annual training day for those involved in children’s ministry where experienced practitioners encourage and support teachers for their weekly ministry. Additionally, we offer training on the iVangeli Sunday school resource and school ministry training, equipping and enabling school teachers and volunteers to run effective primary school Christian groups.
• In KwaZulu-Natal, we run a special programme – the Unity Conference. It is a pivotal event designed to equip and empower spiritual leaders within schools. These sessions are tailored to train Student Christian Association (SCA) leaders, worship teams, and Bible study and prayer team leaders. By fostering unity and providing practical skills and spiritual guidance, the conference aims to strengthen the faith community and enhance the impact of our leaders in their respective schools.

• In Gauteng, we work with a catholic school running their school retreat where children are taught in an outdoor setting and encouraged to do community work. The school is very conscious of the work that needs to be done within our communities and have partnered with SU to teach children how to serve their communities. In Alexandra we have the Ikemeleng centre where we run different activities including drama and dance, and an afterschool programme where children come to the centre and are assisted with homework.

For more on our programmes or on how to get involved in supporting the work of SU, kindly email jaclyn@su.org.za

Funding our programmes through Stationery with Purpose
By integrating our commitment to education with our passion for community development, we created the Stationery with Purpose (SWP) initiative designed to transform the simple act of purchasing school supplies into a force for positive change. When you purchase from SWP, you’re doing more than just shopping for stationery; you’re contributing to a greater cause as every item sold helps fund the programmes mentioned above and more. We invite schools, parents, and community members to partner with us in this initiative.

To get involved email orders@stationerywithpurpose.co.za – subject: Support SWP, and we will gladly get in touch with more information.

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Date published: 30/08/2024

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