COMMITTED TO OUR YOUTH!

Many in the SU family remain strongly committed to the youth of our country, having been involved as volunteers in SU activities, perhaps on staff, as financial supporters and so on… Val Ruger of Fish Hoek is one such person. Recently we received a letter from her, giving some real encouragement and productive suggestions around Closer to God. Here are a few snippets from that - thank you, Val:

I’d like to respond to the most recent national newsletter, in which I was especially delighted to read of Daryl’s appointment as the new WC Regional Director! What a wonderful provision by the Lord, but, oh my, what a huge responsibility too!

I find Closer to God a blessing and enjoy the wide range of writers you’re being able to draw onto the panel.  I’m especially glad you managed to get Gerry Adlard involved again this year and you have some really fine young folk writing too, such as the Rens and Anderson couples, and now I’ve just heard Mike Smallbones is writing for 2015 - I’m sure he’ll be a blessing.

Thanks for inviting readers to have their say. It’s also good to know that SU is planning to make use of The Perfect Wave movie – I’m sure it’s going to be a good tool for use with high schoolers.

Val Ruger



Leading young people to know and walk with God

Welcome (back), Don Glass!

Don Glass has come on board as SU’s National Operations Chairman. Welcome back into the SU family Don, and we really value your input into the life of SU. Born in Swaziland of Missionary parents, Don gave his heart to the Lord at a Scripture Union beach mission (CSSM) in Fish Hoek at the age of seven. He and Lyn met at the Claremont Baptist Church in their teens and were both actively involved in leading SU holiday clubs and Beach Missions for many years. Lyn qualified as a pharmacist and Don as an electrical engineer, after which they were married and located in various industrial towns throughout the UK and South Africa before returning to Cape Town, initially Table View and then Fish Hoek.

Don and Linda Glass

Throughout their various locations - they have moved 10 times - they have been involved in supporting or establishing churches and various ministries within those churches in the Baptist, CESA and Full Gospel denominations.  They have three adult children, all married, with 2 1/2 grandchildren!  Don enjoys reading and studying and has qualifications or degrees in engineering, commerce and theology. He has a PhD in Knowledge Management - a form of commercial engineering.  While in fellowship with the Fish Hoek Baptist church, Don established Radio Fish Hoek in 1993, which went on to become CCFm, now based in Muizenberg. He has held various management and executive positions in petrochemical, power-generation, telecommunications and manufacturing industries - succeeding in some and failing in others, but learning in all!  Don enjoys interacting with people in various situations and is an effective communicator, in both public speaking and written forms. Together with Lyn they enjoy leading fellowship and Bible study groups.

Leading young people to know and walk with God

A tribute to Garnet de la Hunt. 25 August 1933 - 28 April 2014

Garnet served Scripture Union for many years as before leading the organisation as National Chairman from 2007 to 2012. I was privileged to serve under his leadership and observe his tireless energy, his generosity and selfless service. SU will miss Garnet’s leadership and wise counsel which he so freely offered. Garnet’s passion and drive was to see young people read the Bible, and come to know Jesus as their personal Saviour. He was an example to us all of punctuality, the highest standards of excellence, doing the basics right, and living a life worthy of God’s calling to service in SU. Garnet and Virginia’s Christian marriage was a living example of commitment and friendship to everyone that knew them as a couple. We will miss his whit, humour, and direct questions that would often challenge our direction and thinking on important matters. His battle with cancer and the period of his illness was a testimony to his faith and trust in his Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and the certainty of eternal life.

Garnet had a wealth of experience to offer, having worked and led the Scout movement at the highest level for many years. As a Scout, a leader, a trainer and chairman he inspired, taught and supported generations of South Africans that have made good citizenship, duty to God, duty to others and duty to country a way of life. As a member of the task force that drafted the WOSM (World Organization of the Scout Movement) publication “What is Scouting”, he redefined and updated Baden Powell’s fundamental values and principles that guide over 32 million children and youth in over 161 countries worldwide today. For his services to Scouting amongst others he was awarded the Order of the Silver Springbok in South Africa, The Silver Wolf from the Swedish Scout Association in recognition of his service to International Scouting, and the Bronze Wolf from WOSM in recognition of his service to World Scouting. These awards are only given to people that have provided a lifetime of selfless and voluntary service to the upliftment and service of youth and country. Last year Garnet was awarded the prestigious Presidential Silver Grand Counsellor of the Order of the Baobab for his work he did in Scouting. Garnet was an inspiration to those who knew him and to many young people throughout the Movement who in turn are doing their best to inspire and empower others and his legacy will live on.

Despite all his achievements and awards, Garnet was a humble servant of Jesus Christ, leading a life of selfless and tireless service. We at SU will continue to be inspired by the life and example of Garnet de la Hunt and his legacy. SU will always be grateful to Virginia for her support, and sharing her husband with us, and the family for their sacrifice in sharing their father. Our prayers of peace and comfort are with Virginia, Clinton, Lee-Ann, Julian, Lisa and his grandchildren at this sad time.