Meeting around music
You are helping to bring light and life to Sydney high schools . . . and students are listening.
When recalling his years serving as a beach mission leader, SU Australia REIS teacher (SRE in NSW) Greg noticed something key. Teens engaged well when music was involved.
“I find that … music is a great point of interest … for all people, but at that age, it is particularly strong … and it’s a great sort of lead into … the things of God, I think,” says Greg.
To test out his theory, a couple of years ago, Greg decided to invite the band Amber Lights to play for his SRE students. That visit was so successful that he’s since asked the band to attend two other schools he serves.
Though not playing specifically Christian songs, Amber Lights includes a message in their performance, which gives students something to think about.
Response to the band’s visits has been amazing. At one school, 100 students attended and 17 indicated they’d like to know more about Christ.
“We’ve had a few people become Christians. I know it’s directly from this at school,” says Greg.
Greg himself came to a relationship with Jesus through a similar ministry:
“I became a Christian at school … And so I have a heart for this sort of thing because it just got me at the right point in my life.”
Not only the students, but adults too were impressed by the band.
“[At one school] the principal said, ‘When you come back next year … ’ so it was a really well-received thing . . . the principal, the deputy and the staff in the office were saying, ‘I really, really enjoyed hearing it . . . ’”
Greg believes deeply in the need for SRE teaching and asks for prayer for the ability to continue, and for the teachers needed to be raised up.
“Kids don’t go to Sunday school . . . so the Scripture side of things is really important . . . .” says Greg.
Thank you for supporting creative ministries to reach more children and young people with the Good News of Jesus. Please continue to pray that the many students who hear God’s word will be challenged to consider what faith in Jesus means to them. Visit www.su.org.au/pray to join the SU Australia community in prayer.
Keep it going, I now have 25 years of SRE behind me and recently became a “Great Grand Father”. My age is intriguing to the kids (& staff).
This is so encouraging, we always need new ideas on how to present SRE to our schools, lets do it in a way that benefits our schools and keeps them saying “when you come back next year…”