Connecting You Winter 2022

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How beach missions change lives!

Read about how Lottie came to faith through SU’s Sutton on Sea beach mission, and how she’s now part of the team she always looked up to.

From the 95 to Mission Enabler

Jordana Smith did not come from a Christian home, but she had a powerful encounter with God in her twenties. Read her story and find out about her work as an SU Mission Enabler.

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Bringing God’s hope to the Valleys

Mick Moffett is a Faith Guide, sharing Jesus’ message of hope with children and young people in the South Wales Valleys. Discover how God changed his life and spurred him on to his important role.

A launchpad to Faith Guide holidays

Find out more about Launchpad which ran in the summer – a new kind of holiday for Faith Guides to bring children to.

Did you know?

We rely on our wonderful, dedicated volunteers to make so much of what we do possible. Last year we estimate that there were around 1,316 known opportunities for people to volunteer which is equivalent to 2,287 working weeks or 49 full-time staff! Thank you if you were one of them and look out for more opportunities ahead!

More about Scripture Union

Scripture Union is a Christian charity, providing opportunities for children and young people to explore the Bible, respond to Jesus and grow in faith.

With an estimated 95% of under-18s in England and Wales not part of a church, we help churches to step out and take the good news to them in exciting and culturally relevant ways. Visit www.scriptureunion.org.uk to find out more.

story for Connecting You, or a suggestion on how we could improve our service to you, please contact the editor: eddien@scriptureunion.org.uk

Connecting You is Scripture Union’s supporter and prayer magazine, keeping you up to date with what God is doing through the work you support.

Connecting You magazine is also available online at: www.su.org.uk/connectingyou. If you have a

For general enquiries Tel: 01908 856000 Fax: 01908 856111 Email: info@scriptureunion.org.uk www.scriptureunion.org.uk

Published by Scripture Union, Trinity House, Opal Court, Opal Drive, Fox Milne, Milton Keynes, MK15 ODF

www.scriptureunion.org.uk

The joy of knowing Jesus

Some of the most joyous moments in my life have been witnessing that wide-eyed wonder on a young person’s face as Jesus breaks into their life, and they suddenly know deep in their heart that they are loved personally by their saviour. Whether at residentials, in schools, or in regular community groups, it always makes real to me the privilege of God-given opportunities to faith-journey with children and young people.

That’s why I was so inspired to read about Lottie, Jordana, Mick and Chenda in this edition. Not only have they each got their own powerful story of Jesus working in their own lives, but they’ve also all been spurred on to ensure others can discover the joy of Jesus for themselves.

Through these stories, it’s clear that God continues to use his people to demonstrate his love to those who haven’t yet heard and accepted his great gift. These are committed volunteers who allow God to work in and through them for kingdom gain, and, in return, they get to be part of the joy of seeing someone hear and understand for the first time

what Jesus’ sacrifice really means. That moment is the start of a lifechanging journey in relationship with the Living God.

We know that there are more than 12 million children and young people across England and Wales who don’t have any connections with their local church – the 95. It’s why we’re praying boldly that God will call Faith Guides in every church community to be his voice to the younger generations.

The words of Isaiah 43 point us to God’s eternal promise “Do not fear for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.” It’s our prayer that as Christians know this truth for themselves, they will share it with the 95 in their local area, who, as they grow in understanding, will go on to share it with others. Will you join us in praying for, and sharing, that infectious faith in a loving God?

Myles MacBean, National Director

“Do not fear for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine” Isaiah 43:1

the one

SU beach missions continue to flourish, thanks to your support. Lottie Elson from Sutton on Sea had no connections with church as a child but found Jesus at the local annual SU beach mission. Now she volunteers on the team, sharing God’s love with the next generation.

“I’m

they trust to tell them about Jesus”

LOTTIE ELSON

As she was growing up, Lottie remembers how each summer the normally quiet little town would fill with an influx of mission visitors. Many stayed at the caravan park owned by Lottie’s granddad. During that fortnight, Sutton on Sea’s streets resounded with laughter and joyful singing drifting up from the beach.

‘My family weren’t churchgoers, but Mum started taking me to the beach mission when I was a toddler,’ Lottie recalls. ‘The people were nice and she thought it would be safe and fun. We went every year – they became like a second family. I really looked up to the volunteer team who ran it. I wanted to be one of them so badly!

‘Although I came to faith gradually, there was one pivotal moment; I really struggled in secondary school, and one night I was in my room, doing homework for subjects I hated. I suddenly felt I had had enough, and like I was falling... Then I looked up at a picture on my wall, of me and my beach mission group in 2005. I remembered the faith of the leaders and what they had

In that moment I realised that I wasn’t alone; God was there

taught me: that God won’t give you a challenge that you can’t get through, and he’s always with you. In that moment I realised that I wasn’t alone; God was there. He was my safety net. He would always catch me.

Part of the team

‘One of the beach mission team leaders, like me, had no church background. It gave me hope that I too could be team and inspire other children without church connections. So when I turned 17, I volunteered. Unfortunately, the next summer we had to do the mission online because of lockdown! I helped edit the videos for it. Meantime, Sutton on Sea was eerily empty. Locals asked me when

the mission would be back – they genuinely missed it. It’s something local families can enjoy (there’s not much else on in town), and local businesses benefit from the visitors too.

‘Thankfully, we’re now back doing the beach mission in person. I’m helping to lead the 11-13s (Seahorses). I love being with them – they’re very caring and make sure the quieter kids or those with special needs don’t get left out. They’re young enough to still want to play games and do craft, but they’re also starting to think for themselves and ask questions. Sometimes those questions are a bit challenging and Join a team!

I’m grateful to work with team who know more about the Bible than I do because I’m still learning too. I never feel like anybody’s judging me – they are always offering me encouragement! So my faith is growing, as is my confidence in sharing it.

‘I love helping the kids to explore faith, especially those without church backgrounds, because I know that they can feel they are “different” from the other children. It’s so rewarding when they ask questions and genuinely want to know more. And it’s so gratifying to know that I’m the one they trust to tell them about Jesus.’

If you’d like to be part of an amazing beach mission team, like Lottie, or you’d love to give your time to make one of our residential holidays possible in 2023, then find out more and apply on our website: su.org.uk/countmein

Prayers

Please pray for all our amazing volunteers, for their dedication and their passion to share Jesus with children and young people.

Sunday 27

Give thanks to God for Lottie, for leading her to faith and giving her life new purpose and meaning through the SU beach mission at Sutton on Sea.

Monday 28

Please pray for God to bless Lottie as she shares Jesus with children on the mission who aren’t from church backgrounds. Please also pray for her as she helps to lead the Christian Union at her university.

Tuesday 29

Praise God for all the volunteers who help to run the SU Sutton on Sea Beach Mission, and for the positive impact it has on the community. Please pray that through it more local children and young people there will discover the joy of knowing Jesus.

Wednesday 30

Give thanks to God for the huge impact our holidays and missions

volunteers have on children and young people by sharing the good news of Jesus and by demonstrating what a faith-filled life looks like.

Thursday 1

At the start of Advent, praise God for sending Jesus to be our saviour. Please pray for volunteers in churches who have activities planned to introduce more children and young people not in church to Jesus this Christmas.

Friday 2

Praise God for all of our volunteers –for those who help with holidays and missions, and for those who help in other ways.

Saturday 3

Please pray that God will inspire more people to commit to becoming SU volunteers, particularly for holidays and missions. Their role is so vital in inspiring young people, as they did with Lottie, to follow Jesus and to grow and mature in their faith.

Prayers

Sunday 4

The last camps and conferences season of the year for SU Uganda begins this week across the country and in the refugee camps. Pray for a positive impact in all the sessions. Their theme will be Philippians 3:14.

Monday 5

Pray for Scripture Union’s Mission Partners serving schools, praying especially for those presenting the Christmas message through various events. Thank God for the opportunity they have to serve both the pupils and teachers in the school context.

Tuesday 6

A Community Christmas is a new resource designed to help churches and other groups reach out to their communities during the Christmas period with the good news of Jesus. Pray that those who come along to activities and events will want to know more.

Wednesday 7

Holiday bookings for 2023 will be opening soon. Please pray that many children and young people will be excited and keen to sign up for the holidays, and pray

WEEK BEGINNING DEC 4

for the Mission Events team as they get the website and the online systems ready for the new season.

Thursday 8

Scripture Union’s dedicated Finance and Gifts team process the donations from our supporters and pay our suppliers and our staff. Give thanks for Esther, Maureen, Alicia, Susannah and Dave and all that they do. Pray for Dave as he provides leadership to the team.

Friday 9

Local Mission Partner Great Open Door in Harlow is running Christmas workshops exploring which of our seasonal traditions are ‘just tinsel’ and which mean something to Christians and why. Pray for the team Andy, Angela, Jo, Pam and Paul, asking that these sessions will help children and young people to think about why Jesus came.

Saturday 10

Please pray for Content Assistant Annabel Moule as she works on the development of the Be More Micah Environment Collection designed to enable Faith Guides to help young people understand God’s concern for his world.

Prayers

Sunday 11

SU Hong Kong thanks God for the Chinese version of the Big Bible Challenge and the Big Story of God pamphlet. In August they held two briefing sessions to introduce them to children’s leaders and schoolteachers, and the response has been very encouraging. Pray that they will be well used and that as Chinese children read through 100 Bible stories they will build relationships with God.

Monday 12

Pray that Local Mission Partner Lightspace working in Grantham may have wisdom as they support school communities, listening to staff as they share their hopes and concerns. Pray too for interest and a good response as they share the story of the birth of Jesus.

Tuesday 13

Content Assistant Jill Warren is responsible for managing many of the resources produced by the Development Hub liaising with authors and suppliers. Pray for her as she works on finalising Daily Bread for October to December 2023.

Wednesday 14

Give thanks for all our Faith Guides across the country, for their passion and commitment to the Revealing

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Jesus framework. Pray that God will equip them to use their gifts as they work with the 95 and journey alongside them.

Thursday 15

Give thanks for the generosity of our family of supporters, who give so faithfully even in difficult economic times. Pray for God’s provision and protection for them, as they too face the economic impact.

Friday 16

Local Mission Partner Soul Children (UK) is a family of youth gospel choirs who gather regularly in their communities to sing and to be family together. Please pray that every young person involved will experience the love, acceptance and peace that come from knowing Jesus.

Saturday 17

Gill Russell, Database Manager, thanks God for guidance and enabling as we have started to embed our new database systems. Pray that she and the team will have wisdom as they seek to improve and develop the database capabilities and engage with new technologies.

A Mission Enabler from the 95

Jordana Smith did not come from a Christian home, but she had a powerful encounter with God in her twenties. Now she is an SU Mission Enabler who, with your support, is dedicated to helping churches to share God’s love with children and young people. Here is her story.

JORDANA SMITH

‘My parents were not Christians, but I went to a Church of England school and found the hymns and prayers comforting. However, when I studied A level sociology, I was taught that God wasn’t real and that religion was about control. Because my tutors were experts in their field, I believed them.

‘Some years later, I did a business degree which involved writing a dissertation on freedom of speech on YouTube. My research led me to a collection of videos YouTube had removed. I was astonished to find that some were of Christians talking about how Jesus had changed their lives. Why had these been censored? I watched them and it began to dawn on me that these people were telling the truth. God was real!

Do not be afraid

‘At this point in my life, I was suffering worsening anxiety and panic attacks; I had tried all sorts of “solutions” but nothing had worked. Now in desperation I decided to cry out to God to help me.

‘And at that moment, I heard God say, “Do not be afraid.” Later I found those words are repeated many times in the Bible.

‘The next Sunday, for the first time, I went to the service at the local church where my son attended a toddler group. The pastor’s talk was

on fear and courage! Afterwards I told him of the anxiety and my encounter with God and he prayed for me. From that day, I never had another panic attack. I began following Jesus and was baptised a year later.

‘After I graduated, I had various jobs but none satisfied me. I asked God for guidance, and he led me into church youth and community work. We connected with many young people, took them on trips and had fun, but we just didn’t seem able to move things on to talk to them about Jesus.

The missing link!

‘Then Isaac, a Mission Enabler with SU at the time, helped me run some sports ministry in which we introduced discussions around faith using the Created2Play cards. The Revealing Jesus mission framework provided a way to progress that journey of faith with young people. It was the missing link that I’d been looking for! I was so inspired that when an opportunity came, I joined SU as a Mission Enabler myself.

‘I support around 15 Faith Guides – it’s great getting to know them, praying with them, hearing their dreams for ministry. I’m excited to see how God is going to work through them in their different

Now in desperation I decided to cry out to God to help me

situations using their particular gifts. In children’s work and youth work, it’s easy to copy what other people have done, assuming that it will work for you too. But it takes courage to think “What am I great at? What unique contribution do I

have in helping these young people to find Jesus?”

‘Young people so need our support. They are under huge pressure to conform to society’s expectations and popular opinions. Churches have a wonderful opportunity to offer young people acceptance and a safe space in which they can express themselves, discover their specific gifts and learn about the amazing God that created them. As an SU Mission Enabler, I’m passionate about doing all I can to help them, so more young people can know the hope that only Jesus can give.’

Supporting Mission Enablers

Among other things, your donations help us employ and support our teams of Mission Enablers who are working right across England and Wales. To make a donation and enable even more churches to benefit from their passion and expertise, please visit su.org.uk/donate. Thank you!

I was so inspired that when an opportunity came, I joined SU as a Mission Enabler myself

Prayers

Sunday 18

Thank God for the six Vacation Bible School programmes that SU Nepal was able to hold in October reaching over 1000 children. Pray that what they learnt will stay with them and that they will grow in faith.

Monday 19

This term we have had three new Revealing Jesus Pioneers and one Sports Mission Pioneer start working in the North of England. Pray for them in their new roles and that through them we will see many churches engage with Revealing Jesus.

Tuesday 20

Pray that the new worker at Local Mission Partner Farne Churches Youth and Family Outreach would continue to build relationships with local schools and churches and grow the work and reach of the trust.

Wednesday 21

Pray for Richard Shaw as he leads the Mission Development team across England and Wales. The team help establish the Revealing Jesus framework in Faith Guide churches, giving many opportunities for children and young people to grow in faith.

Thursday 22

Please pray for all the children and young people who encountered

BEGINNING DEC 18

Jesus on our holidays and missions last summer. Pray that this Christmas, as they think about Jesus coming to earth for them, they will be touched again by the wonder of the gospel.

Friday 23

During COVID the Youth Worker for Local Mission Partner The Bus Stop left and the bus is no longer fit for purpose. Pray for the Trustees as they look to appoint a new Lead Youth Worker, re-establish relationships with ministry partners and raise funds to fit out a new bus.

Saturday 24

Climate change and the environment are top concerns for Gen-Z but where does God fit into the picture? Be More Micah – Environment is a companion collection to the Faith Guide materials launched early in 2022. Pray for Maggie Barfield and the contributors and consultants as they prepare resources for launch.

Prayers

Sunday 25

This Christmas Day as we celebrate the coming of the Prince of Peace we pray for peace around the world and especially for Ukraine where SU writes, ‘As we reach the end of this year of tragedy, of so many lives lost or uprooted from their homes and families, pray for peace and restoration in this war-torn nation ...’

Monday 26

Pray for Wayne Dixon of Local Mission Partner Christian Connections in Schools as he plans for ‘Illuminate’ with musical acts LZ7 and Saintz. Pray especially for the follow-up in schools and local churches sharing Jesus with young people in Slough, Windsor and Maidenhead schools.

Tuesday 27

We have been working with Zoocha, our web development company, to improve the search functionality on our website, making it easier to find resources. Please pray that this update will progress well and help all of those using our content.

Wednesday 28

Pray for Content Innovator Leanne Sheppard as she continues to work closely with Sarah Davison, Mission Enabler in the North, on a new initiative looking at ways of

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connecting with children and young people in both face-to-face mission and online digital spaces.

Thursday 29

Give thanks for all the Grow Communities and emerging Grow Communities, and the children and young people who are growing in their relationship with God though them. Pray for those who lead them and for the SU Mission Enablers who support them.

Friday 30

Pray for Scripture Union’s Mission Partners working with children and young people in the community. Pray for strength and direction as they can often be working in very challenging areas.

Saturday 31

Please pray for perseverance and insight as SU enters 2023 committed to the ever-wider rollout of our Revealing Jesus framework. Pray that we’ll remain open to learn from our deepening experience of helping local churches and volunteers journey alongside the 95 as they explore faith.

Prayers

Sunday 1

In October Scripture Union Malawi celebrated 50 years of ministry. Give thanks for the work and pray that God will continue to encourage and provide as they move forward.

Monday 2

Pray for Matt Smith who has spent four years training with the south west region. He is a Faith Guide working full-time as a Youth and Families Worker in Bristol. Please pray for the Friday Youth Group that he is developing and the opportunity that he has to mentor at Trinity Academy.

Tuesday 3

Pray for Rachel Settatree as she returns to her role as Safeguarding Manager after some time off for adoption leave. Pray for wisdom and insight as she leads us in keeping children and young people safe in everything we do.

Wednesday 4

Please pray for Local Mission Partner Christians and Sheffield Schools as they enable Christians to serve schools through a school chaplaincy course, training, Open the Book groups and Prayer Spaces in schools. Please pray for funding and for the appointment of a new Chair of Trustees.

Thursday 5

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Please pray for the Mission Events team as they do all the last-minute preparation for the Holiday and Mission Leaders’ Conference next week.

Friday 6

Pray for Regional Mission Team

Leader Rob Steward as he leads the SU team in the North of England working with staff, churches, Faith Guides, Local Mission Partners and volunteers. Specifically pray for continued creativity in finding new ways to reach out to the 95.

Saturday 7

As we move into another year, pray for fruitfulness in all Grow Communities asking that children and young people will discover more about Jesus and that they will learn to trust him and grow in faith.

Bringing God’s hope to the Valleys

Mick Moffett could never have foreseen the extent to which God would change his life. Now he is a Faith Guide and sharing Jesus’ message of hope with children and young people in the South Wales Valleys.

MICK MOFFETT

Mick, originally from Northern Ireland, was a drug addict until two Christians helped him into rehab at a Christian centre in Wales. ‘I only planned on coming for two weeks – that was 12 years ago!’ jokes Mick. ‘I had to go to church as part of rehab, where I received the gospel. I’ve been all over Wales since, sharing it with others.’

In 2021, he joined SU Local Mission Partner Hope for the Valleys, set up by five small churches to reach out to young people in the valleys in South Wales.

‘The valleys are beautiful,’ says Mick, ‘but they mask a lot of deprivation. There’s a widespread drugs problem, and my background means I can speak into that. The young people here need the hope and the truth that only Jesus can offer. The Lord has released me from addiction, and

I think that has helped to drive the gospel message home.

‘The other thing that has helped is sport! It’s at the heart of this community, so we use it to connect with young people. Because we’re giving them what they want, they are starting to listen to us speak about faith.’

From Mission Partner to Faith Guide

As a Faith Guide, Mick is supported by SU Mission Enabler Jack Newbould. ‘I’m the charity’s only employee, so I really appreciate Jack’s support. I can talk things over with him, he’ll come and help me, and I’ve got access to lots of great SU resources which cut out a lot of time and work.

The young people here need the hope and the truth that only Jesus can offer

‘For the past two summers we’ve gone to five schools with SU’s football cage. We play, then look at a Bible passage at halftime. So far we’ve reached over 2,000 children. Word has spread, and we’ve just been invited into another school with 1,600 children.’

Mick’s work is starting to bear fruit. ‘I took some lads on a camp. One was very troubled, from a broken home. I could see myself in him, so I put some time in. When I left, he wrapped his arms round me and said “Don’t go…”

‘He comes to our after-school football club too. He used to always say something cocky when I got the Bible out. Now he sits and listens attentively to how Jesus can change lives.

‘During a halftime break recently, one of the rowdier lads started asking questions about the Bible. So instead of them all running off after the club finished, we got the Bible back out and explored. In the early days, they

You could be a Faith Guide!

didn’t even want to hear about faith at halftime. Now they’re hanging on afterwards so they can hear more!’

Once a month, Mick and James, a local pastor, run a Youth Link where the churches bring young people together from the different valleys to play games and learn more about faith. ‘At the last session, we had over 40 young people, too many for the hall so we had to go outside,’ says Mick. ‘We’re having to hold the next Youthlink at a bigger venue down at Merthyr Tydfil!

‘Sharing the gospel here can be a challenge. But with Scripture Union’s support and God’s blessing, I pray we’ll start to see a new generation in the valleys coming to know Jesus for themselves.’

You don’t need a back story as powerful as Mick’s to become a Faith Guide, nor do you need a raft of experience. If you’re passionate about committing to journeying alongside children and young people as they find and grow in faith, then you’ve got what it takes. Find out more at su.org.uk/faithguides.

Now he sits and listens attentively to how Jesus can change lives

Prayers

Please pray for all Faith Guides and the Mission Enablers that are supporting them, as they connect with young people and journey with them towards faith.

Sunday 8

Give thanks to God for transforming Mick’s life, through the Christians that sent him to Wales and those at the rehab centre who helped him to conquer addiction and to discover Jesus.

Monday 9

Please pray for Mick and Hope for the Valleys in their mission to introduce young people in the Welsh valleys to Jesus, and journey with them towards faith.

Tuesday 10

Faith Guide Mick, SU Mission Enabler Jordana and volunteer Lottie did not grow up in Christian homes. Praise God for bringing them to faith, and for now working through them to help young people without church backgrounds to discover Jesus.

Wednesday 11

Give thanks to God for all Faith Guides across England and Wales, for their love for children and young

people and passion for helping them to encounter Jesus for themselves.

Thursday 12

Please pray that God will inspire many more Christians to become Faith Guides and help with the vital work of helping the next generation to discover the hope and joy to be found in following Jesus.

Friday 13

As Mick and Jack know, working with schools can provide the means to connect with many children and help them to better understand faith. Please pray that God will provide opportunities for Faith Guides and Mission Enablers across England and Wales to work with many more schools.

Saturday 14

Please pray for our Mission Enablers like Jack and Jordana that God will bless, guide and equip them as they support growing numbers of Faith Guides.

Prayers

Sunday 15

At the end of last year, Markus Giger finished his work as the National Director of SU in Germanspeaking Switzerland. Silke Sieber and Matthias Ziehli will take his place, sharing the National Director position. Pray for a smooth transition.

Monday 16

Pray that Data Analyst Meri Suokas will have wisdom as she works with the rest of the Digital Solutions team to understand better how we can use analytics to improve the user experience on our website. Pray that this will enable the wider Movement to reach the 95 more effectively.

Tuesday 17

Be More Micah – Racial Justice is a challenging project. Pray for everyone involved in creating this new Faith Guide Hub collection, that they will demonstrate justice, kindness and humility. And pray that the resources will have that same impact for Faith Guides and young people.

Wednesday 18

Pray for Local Mission Partner ICE in Exeter as they work across the schools, offering assemblies, clubs and lessons in the primary schools and mentoring in the secondary schools. Pray for their primary

WEEK BEGINNING JAN 15

school workers Anne-Marie Cohead and Sally Naylor, and Doug Owen their secondary school worker.

Thursday 19

Thank God for all he has provided and continues to provide. Pray for God’s wisdom for the fundraising team, as they explore new areas of income generation, so that more children and young people can start a journey of faith.

Friday 20

Please give thanks for all the volunteer leaders who give up so much of their time throughout the year to run our events and pray that this weekend will be a great time of refreshment and inspiration for them all.

Saturday 21

Please pray for Director of Mobilisation Rachel Warwick and her team, as they continue to work on new ways to engage with younger audiences to encourage prayer and financial support.

Prayers

Sunday 22

Recently, 50 copies of the Bible were confiscated at the border of a restricted country and SU personnel were called in for interrogation. Pray that SU will be used by God in the midst of hostility, threat and persecution.

Monday 23

Pray for the South East team as they build on foundations made over the past few months through a wide array of summer opportunities: engaging in outward-facing mission, building relationships with mission partners and churches and forming new relationships through a summer festival.

Tuesday 24

Praise God for the work of the trustees of Scripture Union’s Mission Partners. Thank God for their commitment and faithfulness as they give their time and skills in running these local children’s and youth ministry charities.

Wednesday 25

Please pray for the thousands of children who will be encountering Jesus today as they play the Guardians of Ancora app. Thank God that this mission reaches around the world and right onto the devices that children have in their hands. What a faaaabulous (to use Ancora-speak) opportunity to share the good news of Jesus!

Thursday 26

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Guides.

Friday 27

Holiday brochures for 2023 will be sent out in late January to all those who have been on our holidays in the past few years. Please pray for the families who receive them, that they will be reminded of great memories from previous years and inspired to come on a holiday again this summer.

Saturday 28

Pray for the work of Local Mission Partner Hunsley Christian Youth Trust and workers Adam and Petra, linked from Label of Love, as they continue to offer assemblies and other events to the schools in the East Yorkshire area.

Pray for Dom Condini who has recently started as the Central Team Leader and for the staff team as they seek to implement the Revealing Jesus framework across the region with their Faith

Prayers

Sunday 29

Please pray for the volunteer team leaders of Northern Ireland’s camps and missions. There are 10 to 15 newly appointed team leaders; please pray for them as they embark on a new leadership journey. Remember all the team leaders as they prepare for next summer asking that their dreams and plans will be God inspired and fruitful for his kingdom.

Monday 30

Pray for churches planning to run The Restoration Station club during halfterm and Easter holidays. As the children explore stories from John’s Gospel, pray that they will discover the power of Jesus to heal and restore.

Tuesday 31

Pray for Gemma Willis as she leads the Development Hub team. Ask God to give her wisdom as she makes plans for the next few years, creating content that will equip and inspire those working with the 95.

Wednesday 1

Please pray for the SU Board of Trustees who meet today. Pray that they will have wisdom and

discernment as they review the draft budget and annual objectives.

Thursday 2

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Pray for Rooted hubs meeting across England and Wales and for schools who are running oneto-one mentoring using the Rooted personal journal. Pray too for the Rooted tipi tour creating pop-up spaces for young people to explore who they are, why they matter and the difference Jesus can make.

Friday 3

Give thanks for good relationships and connections between Faith Guides in Portsmouth and Southampton areas that Mission Enabler Jenni Whymark has developed. Please pray for continued friendships to be built between the workers and for High Tide (interchurch youth services) as they expand across the area.

Saturday 4

Please pray for Jim Winning, John Cartwright and Debbie Edge (the Supporter Care team) as they deal with support enquiries, donations and orders. Pray for the team as they look for ways to make the processes more streamlined and effective.

Prayers

Sunday 5

Pray for SU Taiwan as they aim to deliver the missionary vision: ‘Evangelism, Outreach, and Generational Heritage’ to Chinese Christians around the world. Currently they provide Daily Bible Notes and the children’s Sunday School textbook Yes! Bible which are used to serve hundreds of Chinese churches in 18 countries around the world.

Monday 6

Pray that Local Mission Partner The Pimlico Foundation will see continued growth in their community links with local families and closer relationships with schools and youth groups and that they may find funding to appoint an additional youth worker.

Tuesday 7

Pray for Mission Enabler Toby Chant as he works with Faith Guides and Local Mission Partners across Cornwall. February is a key time in planning for Polzeath Family Mission; pray that team, programme and local partnerships would be in place and that God will give wisdom in decision-making.

Wednesday 8

Give thanks for the many people of all ages who volunteer each year to make our holidays and missions happen. Please pray for people to

BEGINNING FEB 5

come forward again this year to serve on our holiday and mission teams and for event leaders as they have conversations with potential new volunteers for the coming season.

Thursday 9

Please pray for the development of an extension of the Showtime Faith Guide hub collection of resources that it will provide more opportunities to reveal Jesus through the creative arts.

Friday 10

Praise God for the work of the many volunteers of Scripture Union’s Mission Partners. Thank God for their faithfulness as they give their time and energy to serve the ministries of the Mission Partners.

Saturday 11

In the next few weeks we aim to finalise the updates to the booking and volunteering processes for our holidays. Please pray for the Digital Solutions team and the Holiday team as they get to grips with the new systems, and that the changes create a better experience for users.

In August, your donations enabled us to hold our first Launchpad residential to which Faith Guides across the North could bring children with no previous church background. Chenda Nuttall who took a group explains how it helped them.

“I might want to be a Christian”

CHENDA NUTTALL

Each week in Penrith, around a dozen children aged 11-12 come to an after-school club that Faith Guide Chenda helps to run in a local café. They play games, have a short faith-based discussion and share a meal together.

Chenda says. ‘We took three of the lads from the club to a new SU holiday called Launchpad, which had been designed to allow Faith Guides like me to bring children to. One of the lads brought their younger sister along too, and none of them had church backgrounds. They already knew each other which helped them settle in quickly, and they mixed well with the other children. They loved the activities – archery, climbing, a visit to the seaside where they had to spot the holiday leaders who were lurking, in disguise, at various points around the town! And they were all receptive to the teaching. It was great for them to hear about faith from someone other than me.

‘One of my group has autism. He had been reading a Minecraft Bible and had lots of questions. On the last night, he told me, “I might want

Faith Guide holidays

to be a Christian. I might go home and read Diary of a Disciple and the Minecraft Bible a bit more.” A few weeks later I caught up with him and asked him how he was doing. He said he remembered to read some days but forgot on others. But I think he’s on the journey and going on Launchpad really helped with that.

‘Another lad who came on Launchpad helped me later in the summer with some puppeteering in church. Since Launchpad he’s matured and he’s certainly more open to faith.

‘I couldn’t have managed to organise a residential holiday like that on my own, so it was great to have Launchpad to take them to. All the children are up for going again next year!’

Launchpad was just one of the residentials we ran in the summer, specifically aimed at Faith Guides and the children they’re journeying with. Please pray that in 2023 we’ll be able to offer even more children from the 95 the opportunity to get away and grow in faith.

Since Launchpad he’s matured and he’s certainly more open to faith.

Prayers

Sunday 12

SU Mauritius ask us to pray for the Bible engagement training programme with children’s and youth leaders of the churches of Rodrigues Island especially that they will be able to arrange meetings for follow-up training. Pray too for the Prayer Walk project that they are initiating.

Monday 13

Pray for Penny Croswell as she provides maternity cover looking after major donors. Pray that she will know God’s leading as she seeks to recruit more major donors enabling us to continue the work. Thank God for those who give so generously.

Tuesday 14

Pray that God will give vision to Faith Guides to start new Grow Communities around the country and that the 95 will come with open hearts to these Grow Communities to connect and hear the good news of Jesus.

Wednesday 15

Pray for the Wales team and in particular Keefe Owen who started in September as a Mission Enabler for North and Mid Wales. Keefe is based in Wrexham but covers a huge area; pray for

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him as he looks to build up Revealing Jesus churches, Local Mission Partners and volunteers.

Thursday 16

Local Mission Partner Trobwynt has just begun working with local churches running a new dropin centre for young people in Botwnnog on the Llŷn peninsula. Pray for effective work enabling local children and young people to hear about Jesus and helping young people with mental health problems.

Friday 17

Join Mission Enabler Jack Newbould, working in South Wales, in thanking God for all the young people who have come along to recent events. Pray that God would remind them of what they have heard and that they would consider a personal relationship with him.

Saturday 18

Pray for Local Mission Partner Stort Valley Schools Trust as they serve the schools in and around Sawbridgeworth, Bishop’s Stortford, Newport and Saffron Walden. Pray for their worker KT and her team as they head into this year.

Prayers

Sunday 19

Pray for Scripture Union Laos as they deliver ‘How to share the gospel’ training with local churches, and for their preaching engagements in churches.

Monday 20

Pray for Communications Officer Chloe Shivraj, as she continues to build relationships across the movement. These relationships ensure that stories can be easily identified and shared in engaging ways, demonstrating how alive the gospel is and how God is working through Scripture Union.

Tuesday 21

Each year we run sailing holidays that carry additional regulation as Adventure Activities. Please pray for Alan Sanders who has volunteered with us over many years and who now manages the records of qualifications and experience for our crew members. Please also pray for the technical advisers who enable us to meet the specialist requirements of Adventure Activities Licensing Authority registration.

Wednesday 22

Pray for Local Mission Partner Southampton City Mission as they engage with schools in various activities and RE classes, praying

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especially that through exploring the Bible with children and young people they will be able to create more Grow Communities.

Thursday 23

Guardians of Ancora clubs are up and running again in schools, churches and community settings. Pray for vision and energy for the volunteers who lead these groups, for the technology to work, for children to love coming along, for searching conversations and for great relationships to be built.

Friday 24

Pray for Tanya Pencheva as she administers the Global Resource Portfolio, which allows SU movements around the world to access and use some of the SU England and Wales published resources. Thank God for the children and young people around the world who will hear of the love of Jesus through this new venture.

Saturday 25

Prayer for James Gregg, Technical Services Assistant, as he balances the requirements of several different IT projects. Pray that the process of upgrading some of our equipment will be smooth and successful, both for us and those we are working with.