That moment when silence speaks louder than words…

Earlier this year a group of girls from Ipswich State High School made their way to the top of a hill to look out over the horizon to watch the sun set, not only on the day that was, but on their troubled pasts.

It’s the moment Ipswich State High School chaplain Debbie Grey calls ‘the magic show’.

“It’s this amazing moment where you have these young people staring out in awe at this beautiful view with the sun setting. There’s just silence. They’re not looking at their mobile devices, they’re just fixed on this special moment,” Chappy Debbie says. (more…)

For boys to develop into safe, honest men, it’s crucial they build healthy levels of self-esteem and discipline through their developmental years.

Thanks to your support, Chappy Dave Larkin was there to facilitate the Awesome Wilson Boxing (AWB) program to help disadvantaged boys pick themselves up, dust themselves off and develop key character traits.

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The small town of Blackwater in Queensland’s Central Highlands may be known for coal mining, but a local school chaplain is uncovering some real hidden gems too!

These gems include a shy, skinny outsider, who is now a basketball prodigy, plus scores of directionless young boys and girls, who are now young men and women with hope for a brighter future.

For the past four years, Chappy Anita’s basketball program at Blackwater State High has been giving local youth hope and confidence to achieve successes they never thought possible. (more…)

How long is the road from boyhood to manhood?

According to 13 Year 8 boys from Cooktown, it’s a highly challenging 222 kilometres.

While the boys may not officially be men yet, each of them has gained new life skills and a heightened sense of responsibility after completing local school chaplain Dave Kamholtz’ ‘Journey to Manhood’ mountain biking challenge.

“This has been an epic trip. Each day was a genuine challenge, but the boys’ persistence and commitment was deeply rewarded with memories and character development that will last a lifetime,” says Chappy Dave.

Local adventurer and businessman Ray Wright and a dedicated team of volunteer dads and grandfathers from the local community joined with Chappy Dave and the 13 boys to navigate the ‘treacherous’ Wakooka trail in Far North Queensland. (more…)

When faced with violent threats from Prep student, Jacob*, Chappy Janelle and her fellow school staff chose to respond with love and kindness. Four years later, Jacob is now serving others.

“[Jacob] came to my school when he was starting Prep… When we were on playground duty with him, he would say stuff like, ‘I’m going to get a big knife and stab you. I’m going to kill you.’… The teacher’s aides and I would just give him a positive response back, and try to make him feel good about himself,” explains Janelle.

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A desire to bring God’s love, hope and good news to children and young people led Josiah Spiers to write ‘God is love’ on a Welsh beach 150 years ago.

His simple act drew a small group of children that day, but it also birthed an organisation that now, through your persistent prayers and ongoing financial support, spans more than 130 countries worldwide.

It is that same mission, 150 years later that helped save the life of Caboolture’s Trent Cooper, who is now paying it forward to the next generation…

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Congratulations James Nash State High School chaplain, Kylie Read (pictured, left) and the equally amazing Ruth Polley for taking out this year’s Gympie Chamber of Commerce Community Organisation of the Year Award!

Kylie and Ruth received the award for the life-transforming work they’re doing through the Hope Reins program, which seeks to partner broken horses with broken people from the community to help unlock their full potential in life.

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Children and young people matter! It’s why SU QLD exists. It’s why faithful supporters like you invest in school chaplaincy, at-risk and camping programs.

Biloela State High student, James, believed he didn’t matter. He was shy, rarely attended class, and family life was tough – often a combination that causes young people to leave school for a bleak future.

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There are many young people who are put in the ‘too hard’ basket. We say things like, “they’re a lost cause; don’t waste your time”.

Those around lose hope in them, so they lose hope in themselves.

Zac was one of those young people, and through circumstances he couldn’t control, he ended up in a place of hopelessness.

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It was a Monday night, on the 15th of December.

A crowd of 300 people watched as Andrew walked across the stage, his face beaming with pride.

This was his night to shine.

Andrew has overcome enormous personal difficulties in his life. But he’s realised his worth and risen above tough circumstances through Connect – a program for students who are at-risk of not reaching their potential.

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