Scripture Union is raising up the next generation of young Christians through a mission placement abroad to share the gospel with vulnerable children and young people.
A team of sixteen volunteers recently returned from the six month placement in South Africa as part of Scripture Union’s Action Abroad programme and testified to a life-changing experience.
The mission programme sees volunteers live and work abroad, often in underprivileged areas, to bring the light of the gospel of Jesus Christ to children and young people in a way that is relevant to their needs and their community.
The Action Abroad South Africa team spent most of their time bringing the gospel to children in local schools where they taught lifeskills and helped run clubs and missions. They also contributed to the work of Scripture Union South Africa during their six month stay.
One volunteer on the project, Dale Wason from Milton Keynes, testified to the transformation inside of him that the Scripture Union programme inspired.
“I learned lessons which I never thought I would,” he said. “It’s been really exciting and inspiring to see myself and others grow during the placement.”
He also described the impact of the programme on his desire to evangelise.
“I can’t wait to tell people what I’ve been doing,” he said. “Sharing my experiences is a perfect opportunity to evangelise – especially when I go to university.”
Another volunteer on the programme, Hannah Mills from Birmingham, described the privilege she felt in being able to get closer to people and help them tackle the situations they face.
“Getting to the point where you could talk to the young people about really deep issues was the most rewarding thing,” she shared. “It brought me so much joy.”
She expressed her gratitude for the prayer support the team received from families, friends and supporters of Scripture Union throughout the placement.
“I don’t know how the work could have gone on without the prayer support behind us,” said Hannah.
Scripture Union’s International Placements Manager Elizabeth Fewkes, organiser of Action Abroad placements, isn’t surprised by the positive transformation within the team.
“It’s always wonderful to see the changes in the volunteers when they return,” she said.
“They leave expecting to give so much, and they do, but when they come back they realise how much they have been transformed themselves.”