Scripture Union operates in over 120 countries around the world, introducing children and young people to Jesus.
Although the gospel never changes, each culture expresses it in a particular way and so the work is carried out through local people in ways which are appropriate to the country, culture and situation in which a movement is based. This includes running camps, school seminars, student groups and sports camps or producing resources for Bible reading, family counselling, AIDS education, urban children's and youth ministry and ministry to those with special needs.
Scripture Union is an autonomous organisation in each country, linked together by Scripture Union International. It is primarily a volunteer organisation with a small number of full-time staff training, encouraging and coordinating ministry workers around the world.
Follow SU International on Facebook to see more updates from around the world. Or visit the SU International website to check out where in the world SU is at work and to request monthly prayer updates to your inbox! You can also request prayer news from SU International as well as Ukraine and India via our mailings page. Alternatively, search for SU International in the PrayerMate app.
Here in SU Scotland we are in partnership in particular with SU in Ukraine and SU Belarus, although we also have links over many years with our brothers and sisters in other SU movements. Find out more below.
Every year our SU Holidays & Missions focus on a project through which children, young people and volunteers can raise funds for less fortunate young people in other countries.
In 2022 our project was ‘Kit Out the Campsite’. SU is working in a restricted Asian country where a campsite is being built by volunteers, little by little. The building is almost complete, however it is empty. They have huge needs: beds, mattresses, water heaters, white goods, air conditioning for example, and little or no funds. Our young people at SU Holidays & Missions generously gave at summer events – and others donated in person at the Big Celebration in August, or online (you can still do so - state ‘Kit out the Campsite’ at suscotland.org.uk/give). Our prayer is that however much or little is raised, God will multiply it to help young people in another country get to camp. Don’t hold back good from those who are worthy of it. Don’t hold back when you can help. Proverbs 3:27
In Ukraine Scripture Union is called 'Open Bible'. SU Scotland has built strong links with Open Bible over many years. Many staff and volunteers have worked on short term projects with Open Bible staff and volunteers in Ukraine and there have been many reciprocal visits between Ukraine and Scotland, particularly among young people.
Open Bible is led by a Baptist pastor (a pastor of pastors who oversees and mentors many younger leaders). Through his leadership and the vision and efforts of his team the work amongst children and young people has flourished over the last 20 years, particularly through camps and weekends at their campsite. In 2021 we partnered with Open Bible to run an online English Club and online camp.
Over the years they have been continually hampered by lack of resources, spiralling inflation, unstable economy and political upheaval - and now they face the unprecedented challenge of war.
We continue to stand with our SU friends in Ukraine as they seek God's wisdom. When war broke out they opened the campsite to neighbours who had no electricity or water, and as well as distributing food and practical help, the gospel was preached. Many responded and were baptised. In summer they led a camp for local children. The campsite has always been a great place for children and young people to come together, and many have had their lives changed there. We pray that this will continue, and for God's protection over them.
Praying for Ukraine
SU International hosts a weekly prayer meeting on Zoom on a Thursday at 8am and 5pm to pray for Ukraine and other countries in crisis. Contact us via our website contact form to request the code.
We also provide updates from time to time on individuals we support in Ukraine. These updates are sent out by our Prayer Coordinator by email. Sign up here.
SU Scotland partners with friends in Belarus. Their ministry facilitates Christian camps, some of which are run by well-established churches with their own volunteers—many of whom began as campers before becoming leaders. There is a special vision to help smaller churches grow their children's ministry by supporting them in running camps and training leaders. They also encourage churches to run clubs for children and young people throughout the year, and provide training for their leaders.
SU Rwanda is involved in schools ministry, camps for children and young people, youth ministry training, the production and distribution of Bible reading notes and work with vulnerable children. SU Rwanda also runs a guest house and during lockdown had the opportunity to share the Bible through radio broadcasts.
We have enjoyed developing a partnership with SU Rwanda over the last number of years. A previous International Fundraising Project raised money to provide a 4x4 vehicle which was of great benefit, as many workers travel around by bike. Pre-pandemic we organised Respond Rwanda short term trips every 2 years where a team of Scottish young people worked in partnership with SU Rwanda to deliver a range of activities for children in Kigali and the surrounding area. We hope and pray that we will be able to resume these at some future point.
Many longstanding SU Scotland supporters supported the ministry of the late John Jacob and the relationship between SU India and SU Scotland goes back many years. SU India has been through a challenging time through the recent pandemic, but its staff workers faithfully continue their passionate work of sharing Jesus with children and young people through school missions. Find out more here.
In 2021 SU Scotland supported SU India’s ministry among children in crisis. Under the title 'Help SU in Tamil Nadu' we raised much-needed funds to support children involved in their Children and Families Centre at Poolangulam in Tamil Nadu.
Praying for India
SU Scotland distributes SU India's Prayer News by email and by post. You can request these via our Mailings page.
These SU movements are just a small snapshot of what SU is doing across the world. SU International creates a general prayer diary each quarter which covers different SU movements in addition to many country or region-specific prayer diaries. You can subscribe to these via our mailings page. Alternatively, email admin@scriptureunion.global to request the Global Prayer News each month by email.
SU Scotland also takes part in the SU Global Week of Prayer. This special week of prayer begins with a Launch Event on Sunday 6 November 2022, includes various prayer gatherings during the week, and culminates in a 24/7 prayer event from Friday 11 until Saturday 12 November when folks are welcome to 'drop in' at anytime to half-hour sessions hosted by different countries.
SU Scotland will be holding its own dedicated SU International Prayer Gatherings during the November Global Week of Prayer. Check out our Events Page to find out when they are happening, and to register.
The SU Scotland International Committee is a small group of SU staff and volunteers whose passion and remit it is to promote the place of world mission within the life of SU Scotland. Our vision is to raise awareness of SU globally within the SU Scotland family and encourage wider and deeper involvement in SU International by the SU Scotland family by sharing news, encouraging prayer, raising financial support, arranging visits and working in partnership with other SU movements.
