SU Australia school ministry programs are many and varied. From school chaplaincy to SRE or RI (Special Religious Education / Religious Instruction) to lunchtime groups, after-school programs, breakfast clubs and mentoring and support programs, there’s a lot going on.

While each of these ministries may look different across the country, they all focus on meeting young people where they are at and giving them opportunities to discover life.

SRE or RI is available in a large percentage of NSW, Queensland and Northern Territory schools for students keen to explore the basics of the Christian faith. Classes are run during school hours and run on an opt-in basis – meaning parents are able to choose whether to have their children engage with the Bible in an educational setting. 

In NSW, Generate works with boards made up of local church volunteers to employ SRE teachers and coordinators at high schools, primary schools and central schools. With 123 teachers and coordinators working across 286 NSW schools, SRE remains a wonderful ministry to students and their families.

School Ministry Programs throughout SU Australia

Lendel is a passionate SRE Teacher in the Riverina who witnessed God moving powerfully in a young person’s life in a short matter of months.

This young person, Evie*, was struggling with anger management issues. She was not allowed to have a pen or pencil or sharpener in class, and had to be checked on every ten minutes throughout the school day to make sure she was ok. It was a tragic situation, and Lendel’s heart broke for this girl.

In their first SRE class together, Lendel gave Evie the opportunity to answer some questions, and she watched as her whole attitude started to change.

“After a little while, Evie started engaging in the lesson and started to light up. There was this sense of hope..  this feeling that she was accepted in this class the way she was,” says Lendel.

At the end of the class Lendel invited Evie to read Jeremiah 29:11 out-loud to the class, and she read the timeless words: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

When Evie finished reading, she sat back down with a smile on her face.

“Through SRE classes, this young girl, who was fully disengaged and would erupt in anger, was learning about who she is actually created to be and the future that God has for her.”

After a follow-up meeting with the well-being team to check how Evie had gone in class, Lendel was able to share about the progress Evie was making.

“Evie now has SRE as part of her well-being program,” Lendel explains. 

“It was incredible to see this girl’s life transformed before my eyes through the word of God. She’s gone from strength to strength; from being an angry young girl to now telling other students (in the class) to be quiet and listen up and engage in SRE.” 

Thank you for all you do to support the incredible work of our SRE and RI teachers across the country. Because of your support, young people like Evie are being shown what it means to discover their place in God’s big story.

*Name has been changed to protect personal identity.