25 February 2021
Scripture Union joins with other Christian ministries to bring hope after COVID
Posted in SU QLD
SU QLD CEO and Scripture Union Australia Transition Management Executive, Peter James, recently joined with Christian leaders from across Australia to meet Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese and other key leaders in Canberra, to discuss Australia’s post-COVID recovery.
The meeting comes on the heels of a recent joint letter from Christian leaders to the Prime Minister, which pledges their support to the recovery of communities across the country.
“We believe that God knows our challenges and is merciful. The Bible, our great charter of faith and practice, was written for such times as these, and discloses good news that speaks to our hearts now in this season of great need.
“In all of the previous disasters of Australian history, the Christian church has stepped up as a key national contributor to stabilisation and then restoration, and we seek to commit to this once more,” the letter says.
Peter James says the meetings with government leaders, including the Prime Minister and Opposition Leader, were a great first step towards a promising partnership to help all Australians.
“While we’ve fared better than other countries around the world, we still saw many families impacted by COVID-19 last year and those effects continue today,” Peter explains.
“Last year I was inundated with stories from our school chaplains and frontline support teams concerning the hardships families were facing. But I was also encouraged by the stories of hope amidst hardship that came from that time. These stories were made possible because of people in our communities who modelled the love and compassion of Jesus to those in need,” Peter says.
In his conversation with the gathering of Christian leaders the Prime Minister encouraged the group and thanked them for stepping up in this time of need.
“I really like the idea of what you are doing. The country is trying to rebuild… I want to thank the church groups all around the country for the role they play in holding things together.”
Speaking at Parliament House, Opposition Leader, Anthony Albanese also addressed the group, stating that COVID-19 has guided us back towards the truth of Jesus’ teaching in the parable of the Good Samaritan.
“We shouldn’t walk past those who are in need or suffering… Our care for others should be neither conditional nor transactional… “And that is the lesson that can light the path that lies before us.”
Other signatories to the joint letter included Compassion, World Vision, Catholic Social Services, the Bible Society, Christian Heritage College, among others.
We’ll keep you updated on this important work as soon as we have more information. Please join us in praying for God to lead us as we all work together to bring hope to our nation.
Greetings, I am a former SU worker from the Pacific. My family and I are always praying for the great work of Chappy in SUQ. My question is that if you are looking for chappy is there a possibility that SUQ could in the future recruit pacific islanders for chappies in rural areas around QLD? please keep me posted with any development on this. Blessings
Hey Walo! If you’re interested in becoming a chappy, we have a range of roles available across Queensland. To find out more and apply, head to http://www.suqld.org.au/morehands
Great work, good to see the PM on board with the work of SU.
Really great story Sam. Christian leaders, the church and every individual Christian needs to step up in times “such as these”. Governments and the people of our nation need to not only hear our voices but also see our actions in a loving and positive way.
Very heartening
Great to see believers working for the Kingdom in these times of darkness.
Isn’t it? so good! 🙂
how blessed we are to have a P.M. who will meet with Christian Leaders and appreciate and encourage the relevance of practical input at this difficult time.
Too true!
This is very encouraging to see
Our national leadership seeking the Lord’s guidance & direction.