SU Inspire Mag 2019

This event holds great significance as this area of
Dublin is one steeped in gangland crime, drug and
alcohol abuse, and has one of the highest suicide
rates in Ireland. The interschool retreat gave us
here in SU the unparalleled opportunity to speak
hope into this sometimes bleak part of the city.
This year the Youth & Schools ministry of Scripture
Union Ireland had the opportunity to interact
with over 5,000 young people from all over
Ireland. Including many different denominations,
cultures, and economic backgrounds.
We meet young people at school retreats,
assemblies, residential retreats in Ovoca
Manor, at Christian unions, conferences,
musical events, worship nights, camps,
and anywhere else we get the invitation
to go. As we meet all these young people
many so different from each other the one
common thing is the need to hear the Good
News. The Good News that there is always
hope and that hope has a name, Jesus.
In addition to our in schools program we again
partnered with parish workers in Dublin City
working in the Faithfest program. Reaching out
to youth in parishes all over the city centre at
regular events in Clonliffe and a residential
retreats in Ovoca Manor. We also work with a
Faithfest team in Tallaght which runs a regular
event in the Priory Institute. Both these
endeavours see dozens of young people coming
out to learn more about their faith and how
Jesus can impact their every day real life.
We also continue our work with the Ember
program helping to train up and develop
young christian leaders in their schools
As I look to the coming year I can’t help but be
excited for all that God is going to do, and give
him all the thanks that we get to bring Good
News to young people from all over Ireland.
Eric Hughes
Youth & Schools Ministry
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