News and Events
The work of School Chaplains through ACCESS ministries |
| Posted by Mark Hood on 25th June, 2008 |
ACCESS Ministries Annual Dinner last Tues night
Across Victoria this day there are hundreds and thousands of school kids asking the big questions about life: 'what's my identity?', or 'where do I belong?', as well as facing tough challenges: 'my mum and dad have divorced and I hurt inside', or 'I'm being bullied over the internet'. Where will these kids find help? To whom will they turn?
Increasingly, many kids are turning to their local school chaplain. Increasingly, this is an ACCESS ministries chaplain.
ACCESS, formerly known as the CCES, are those who provide the material for our Christian Religious Education (CRE) classes at Auburn Primary. But ACCESS is also one of the chief bodies now working feverishly to provide chaplains, following the Federal Government initiative to promote chaplaincy in State schools. In the last 2 years, the number of chaplains in Victoria has quadrupled to 280, and ACCESS plans to see this grow to 500 by 2012. What an amazing opportunity to care for, nurture and mould our kids!
Last Tuesday night, nine people from St. Mark's attended a very moving ACCESS ministries fundraising dinner. It was a great evening, bringing to light the work of chaplains around the state, who are doing much to support kids in trouble and kids with questions.
We heard about Colin, one of the lynchpin support people on the ground in Mildura, supporting the grieving community following the horrific car crash 18 months ago, where 6 students from his school were killed. We heard from one girl who enquired with her chaplain about Jesus Christ, which led to her coming to faith in Christ, and seeing her challenging life turn around. We heard of the many challenges facing kids, such as depression, isolation, body image and belonging: challenges our school chaplains are addressing with kids directly, and where appropriate with the gospel of Christ.
The Psalmist, you remember, has similar challenges and a similar question:
'I lift my eyes up to the mountains, where does my help come from?' (Psalm 121:1)
The good news is, these ACCESS chaplains know the answer!
'My help comes from the LORD, the maker of heaven and earth' (v2).
What a great way to serve the Lord. What an important ministry of love to these school communities. These men and women could really use our prayerful support. So I encourage you to keep ACCESS in your prayers.
For more info about the dinner or about ACCESS, speak to those who attended the dinner: Chris and Ros, James and Lori, Gordon, Stuart A, Amanda, Pip and Mark; or visit www.accessministries.org.au. It was a very moving night. May the Lord Jesus himself strengthen and prosper ACCESS and the ministry of ACCESS chaplains.
Mark Hood