Across Australia children, young people and families
are facing deep isolation – whether due to anxiety,
bullying, distance, or a lack of Christian community.
You can bring hope to those walking alone.
Help More Children Like Hudson
For young mum Courtney, watching her son Hudson struggle with crippling anxiety and school refusal was heartbreaking.
It brought back painful memories of her own childhood—of feeling isolated, alone, and without support.
But when school chaplain Linda stepped in, everything began to change. Modelling the unconditional love and compassion of Jesus, Linda helped Hudson reconnect.
“Hudson’s basically ‘done a 180,’” says Courtney. “He listens better. He pays more attention… it’s like he’s found himself.”
Sadly, Hudson’s story isn’t unique. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, school refusal has been on the rise—leading to missed learning, increased anxiety, and growing social isolation.
Today, SU chaplains serve in more than 970 schools across Australia. They show up for children like Hudson, helping them feel seen, heard, and supported.
Right now, over 200 more schools urgently need a chaplain like Linda.
Your donation today can help train and equip new chaplains so more children like Hudson have someone to turn to in their time of need. Will you give today to help them?
Help More Students Like Ashleigh
When Ashleigh started Year 7, she was a bright young girl full of big questions about life.
But behind her curiosity was a daily battle. She was the target of relentless bullying—something that threatened her self-esteem.
Then Ashleigh walked into Lisa’s Religious Education in Schools (REIS) classroom and in that space, something changed.
She felt safe. She felt heard. She felt like she belonged.
“I didn’t really have access to church,” Ashleigh says, “but I had access to REIS.”
It was there, through Lisa’s gentle guidance, that Ashleigh began a personal faith journey. She found a sense of purpose and a place in God’s big story.
Sadly, Ashleigh’s experience is all too common. Around one in four students in Years 4–9 report regular incidents of bullying.
Right now, your support is vital for Australian teens experiencing the pain of isolation.
Your donation today can help ensure more REIS teachers like Lisa are trained and equipped to step into classrooms—and into the lives of students like Ashleigh, just when they need them most. Will you give today to help them?
Help More Young People Like Joel
Growing up in rural Australia, Joel faced isolation, loneliness, and the pressure of a rural alcohol culture. As a teenager, Joel’s life could have gone down a very different path.
But everything changed when he went to an SU Australia camp.
There, Joel found Christian community, friendship, and a renewed sense of purpose.
“I think I’d be in a very different place without SU and the impact that they had on my faith journey …”
For many rural young people, the feeling of being left to face life’s biggest questions alone is all too real. Mental health struggles and deep loneliness are more common in rural areas—and support is often harder to find.
That’s why SU Australia camps are so important. They offer connection, fun, support—and most importantly, the hope of Jesus.
But there are still so many who need that same opportunity.
Your donation today can help send more young people like Joel to camp—and help change the direction of their lives. Will you give today to help them?
Today you can help more young people like Ashleigh and Joel, as well as families like Hudson’s by donating to the Discovering Life Appeal by 30 June.
Your tax-deductible gift will go towards:
-
bringing hope and life-giving change to children like Hudson and their families through the training of school chaplains and youth ministry workers
-
sharing the Good News of Jesus to teens like Ashleigh through school-based ministries like Religious Education in Schools (REIS)
-
reaching young people like Joel in rural and remote communities with God’s love through Christian discipleship and connection.
186 camps and missions
led by trained volunteers, sharing the transforming love of Jesus in local communities.
979 schools supported
by trusted and trained chaplains, providing vital pastoral care.
416 communities across Australia
hearing the Good News of Jesus through Christian Religious Education in Schools (REIS).
*SU Australia Annual Report 2024
*Your tax-deductible donation will go to the work stated above. You can also choose to make a non-tax-deductible donation to support the overall work of SU camps, missions, and more.
Will you help train, resource and equip more Christian ministry workers to share God’s love, hope and good news with children, young people and families who need it most?
Where does my donation go?
Your Discovering Life Appeal donation, unless otherwise stated, will go towards funding the delivery of Christian Religious Education in Schools (REIS), as well as the training, equipping and resourcing of school chaplains and volunteer leaders and directors who run Christian camps, holiday programs, and community-based missions.
A small portion of your gift also helps cover essential administration costs, including local field management, compliance, insurance, and marketing, which enable these ministries to run smoothly.
Can I make a tax-deductible donation?
Yes, you can! Select the “SU Australia Tax-Deductible” option in the donation form. Tax-deductible donations go towards:
- Religious Education in Schools (REIS) and school-based groups like SUPA Clubs and ISCF groups;
- training and equipping of Christian youth and ministry workers, including new chaplains, through our Registered Training Organisation – Scripture Union Institute of Training (SUIT);
- protecting vulnerable children and young people from harm through ChildSafe; and,
- building projects at Camp Coolamatong, where children, young people and families experience Christian community and connection.
If I want to support local ministry how can I do that?
While the purpose of this appeal is to raise funds nationally to train, resource and equip chaplains, Christian REIS workers and volunteer camp and mission leaders and directors, you can still choose to direct your gift locally.
Simply choose your region (e.g., “SU Australia in WA”) from the dropdown menu on the donation form below. Tax-deductible donations support local ministries like Religious Education in Schools (REIS), School Groups, including SUPA Clubs and ISCF groups, and the training, resourcing and equipping of school chaplains and camp and mission volunteers. Non tax-deductible donations support local camps, missions, and chaplaincy programs (if applicable to your region).
How can I pray for SU's Discovering Life Appeal?
Please pray that God will continue to provide opportunities for ministry growth, despite the financial challenges we face. As the cost of living increases, fewer donations means fewer young people having access to life-changing programs. Pray for generous hearts and the ongoing impact of our work.
How can I sign up for a monthly or regular gift?
To set up a recurring donation, select “monthly,” “quarterly,” or “yearly” in the frequency section of the donation form. Regular donations help us plan for the future and sustain our ministry. We call our regular donors SUper Heroes because they make such a lasting impact.
Click your region below to support your local SU ministry.
SU Australia Ministries Limited is a member of the worldwide Scripture Union International community.
