In This Section
Praying for Schools
Pray for the SU groups in your local schools.
E3
Welcome to the online home of Scripture Union Northern Ireland E3 schools project
The E3 Schools Project operates at a localised level by dividing Northern Ireland into districts.
A District is simply a defined geographical area in Northern Ireland. Concentrating schools work in a localised area enables the development of strong lasting relationships that are vital to the success of this project. In each district we establish a SUNI District Management Team of local people and SUNI staff, who are responsible for directing, raising the profile & support of the project that would lead to the appointment of a full-time E3 Schools Worker and continue to lead this project as it grows and develops.
And it is our desire to appoint district E3 schools workers across Northern Ireland.
There is currently two districts in operation in East Belfast and the North Coast.
We are currently in the stages of developing new districts across Northern Ireland focusing on setting up 6 new districts by December 2010.
Take a look at the video below to find out more.
Our Mission
Our Mission is to make God’s good news known in Schools.
The E3 Schools Project aims -
To empower - School Pupils to make an informed decision about the truth of God’s good news.
To empower - Christian teachers & pupils to live out the good news & be salt and light in their school
To empower - Local Churches, to pray and get involved in schools ministry.
We are excited that you would take the opportunity to find out more. We hope you find these pages helpful and informative. Please feel free to contact us using details below for more information, brochures, DVD, or how this project could work in your area.
Colin Stitt
E3 Schools Project Development Co-ordinator
157 Albertbridge Road
Belfast BT5 4PS
T 028 9045 4806
F 028 9073 9758
M 0791 752 5231
The Need
Currently only 26% of 14-19 year olds are involved in any form of religion 71% only have contact through school. (Understanding young people at risk)
Today’s world is constantly changing. Children are growing up quicker, and exposed to issues and pressures that would have never been dreamt of in previous generations. We live in a society that believes in many ‘truths’ and not absolute ‘truth’. We value possessions and consume more than ever before, living for the day not saving for tomorrow. Life does not necessarily depend on thought and scientific enquiry, but on how things feel. Emotions dictate right from wrong. A recent rock song confirms this ideology, stating ‘if it feels like it works and it looks like it works then it works’, highlighting societies values of individuality and relativism. This ‘Post-Modern society’ in which we live is a time and culture like no other, so how do we as the church responds to this?
Over the last century there has been a dramatic fall in the numbers of Children attending Sunday Schools. An example of the this is Between 1959 and 2000 the Presbyterian Church in Ireland saw a 50% fall in numbers attending their Sunday Schools. (Irish Council of Churches)
It may be true that most children and young people have little or no connection with the church but nearly all of them go to schools.
“But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!” Romans 10 v 14 -15 (NLT Translation)
80% of those who come to faith in Jesus do so before the age of 18. How can children and young people respond if they have never heard? If they never come through the door of your church? If they never attend your current children and youth ministry provision? Who will go? Who will tell them?