SU Strategy

In recent weeks, SU South Africa has embarked on a process to hear from God as to how He wants SU to be positioned and making an impact as part of His mission in SA. 

In the months of May and June, some 48 interested folk made inputs via online surveys into SU’s role, particularly around the key issue of young people (and their parents) steering well clear of local churches… and so, the slim chance of most young people in our country hearing about Jesus and being led in following Him daily in their lives. A key aspect highlighted in the questions was that of parents’ role in spiritual formation and current breakdown in traditional family units. Also examined was how a Christian presence could / should be structured in school environments.

Input came in from school principals, teachers, youth pastors, senior pastors, heads of sister organisations, key activity volunteers, ex-staff members and current team members. This resulted in quite a wide range of thoughts, opinions and convictions.

A team of SU staff and volunteers met on 24 - 25 July at Cornerstone College (Salt River) to identify issues emerging. Dr Don Glass (SU’s Operations Chairman) facilitated the event. Some of the issues are around how SU is structured, but several key and exciting issues came through strongly: Bible Engagement; Training; Resources; Enabling and Discipling; and so on. SU’s Ops team will now add flesh to the bones and articulate specific goals and achievables for the next year or two…

Critical in the process was checking each issue against SU’s mission (Leading young people to know and walk with God), vision (Christ-centred leaders in relational youth evangelism) and values (faith-filled, integrity, contextual ministry, enabling and discipling).  Please pray for our team for great wisdom and courage as we tackle these very important issues under God’s leadership.

Alan Pitt

SU Operations Manager

Leading young people to know and walk with God

BREAKING NEW GROUND | SU Durban

SU Durban breaking new grounds with Professor Naresh Malhotra of USA, Pastor Cele from Umlazi and the AIM project team members. Temple Valley Secondary at Verulam opened its door for future ministry . Sharing his testimony at 3 school assemblies and a motivational talk to 2 schools with different grades It took Prof. Naresh two days to reach 1521 young people from these schools. Pastor Cele is keen on brokering a partnership with Scripture Union for ministry in the Umlazi’s schools.

SU Key volunteer Merlene Matthew running the SU programme at Umbogwintwini Primary for the Grade 4 - 7 learners. Merlene who helps with their family business makes time to connect with the young people for Christ. Merlene also co-ordinates the giving back to the community project with learners from this school.

Jayce Naidoo

SU Durban Regional Director

Leading young people to know and walk with God

Mission Unstoppable | SU Algoa

“Mission unstoppable” was the theme of our holiday club this June/July holidays, and yes, it was a very exciting season watching kids connect with their creator and engage in a journey which is unstoppable! God has always used kids to pass on his message to generations and this is not an exception. John W. Whitehead, said “Children are the living messages we send to a time we will not see.” As I criss-crossed the City to see what our various teams were doing in partnership with different churches in PE, this message of “change agents” for generations kept ringing in my mind. And in the words of Dwight L. Moody; “If I could relive my life, I would devote my entire ministry to reach-ing children for God!” I still have a bit more to live though...and for me, noth-ing would bring much tears of joy than to see young innocent lives transformed by the love of Christ and declaring to live for him irrespective of the circumstances.

The challenge though is great and real: with rapidly decaying family values in our country today, is there anything left in family units for kids to learn from? Who are the role models? Absent fathers? The faces of most kids I met across the city were crying out for leadership! Very eager to follow...but who? God has placed SU at a vantage point connecting these precious lives to their ever-present father, and that we will do with all we have, but a lot more need to be done to direct and train them up, if they are to be the unstoppable influencers that God intended them! The challenge for us all is to play our part!

Sam Otigo

SU Algoa Regional Director

Leading young people to know and walk with God