A boy, a girl and a global movement…

Posted in Bible Engagement / Our heritage

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By Terry Williams, Scripture Union International

He was just a young man telling children about God’s love while on holidays at the beach. She was just a young girl teaching a Sunday School class, when her passion for helping children read the Bible for themselves led her to create the first Bible reading card.

These two young people, Josiah Spiers in 1867 and Annie Marsden in 1879, were formative pioneers in shaping the movement we know today as Scripture Union – a movement that now spans 120 countries worldwide.

In Queensland, it has been friends like you carrying this movement forward.

You are joined by thousands of other passionate people worldwide who have carried Scripture Union from the shores of England 150 years ago to the world.

I want to share with you a snapshot of that global picture, that people like you are creating…

• In Thailand, children are reading scriptures in their native language as part of the Big Bible Challenge.
• In Greece, volunteers are providing meals for the poor and homeless in Athens, including some of their estimated 50,000 refugees.
• ‘Guardians of Ancora’, the online Bible adventure game, has been downloaded and enjoyed by more than 100,000 children.
• In Canada, children with disabilities are being included in sports and other activities in local churches because of SU’s ‘Every Child Initiative’.
• In DR Congo, ‘Friends of Jesus’ clubs are empowering local churches to actively involve children, rather than leaving them on the margins of church life.
• In Hong Kong, SU is promoting the ‘Chinese Daily Bread’ for adults through a mobile app.
• In Portugal children, teenagers and families are learning about Jesus through KidsGames, TeenGames and FamilyGames.
• In Denmark, children are watching one of 11 short videos produced to present the big picture of ‘God’s Story’.
• In Croatia, SU is giving aid and addressing the practical needs of people by showing them God’s love.
• In South Sudan, ‘Reach Clubs’ operate in secondary and basic schools bringing the message of hope to students in challenging circumstances.
• In Myanmar, leaders are being trained for Children’s Community Clubs.
• In the Republic of Ireland, the Greystones Beach Mission has been running since 1896!
• In Armenia, the SU campsite runs 10-day Family Camps throughout the year.
• In Vietnam, hundreds of leaders have been trained for Vacation Bible Schools.
• In Tajikistan, a new campsite is being built.
• In Colombia, displaced people living in the slums are being cared for.
• In Kyrgyzstan, children read the Bible with the help of resources in their own language.
• In Australia, children, young people and their families are discovering hope through camps, school chaplaincy, at-risk programs and training.

This global movement today is filled with young people like Josiah and Annie and supported by amazing friends like you, responding to God’s prompting in their lives. Where might God lead us in our 150th year….and beyond?

Please share your SU story at suqld.org.au/yourstory. #YouAreLoved

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