For three decades the Christian Council for the Schools of Wales (CCSW) has been helping churches build bridges with their local schools. Each year, many thousands of young people and children across the nation have the opportunity to learn about and respond to the Christian faith in their places of education.

CCSW’s vision is:

To give every pupil in Wales an opportunity to explore the Christian faith personally by inspiring and equipping others, through modelling, training and networking, by:

• Cultivating links between schools and churches
• Visiting schools (assemblies, lessons, Christian groups, etc.)
• Resourcing schools
• Supporting those in schools (teachers, pupils, parents, etc.)

This year CCSW will:

make hundreds of visits to schools – leading assemblies, taking lessons, running Sixth Form R.E. conferences, and building relationships.

support and establish many Christian groups – some in the lunch hour, others after school, some in Primary, others in Secondary – but always in schools!

welcome thousands of pupils for church visits – giving pupils the opportunity to discover for themselves what churches are about and demonstrating what goes on there. 

develop and suggest resources – that others can use to build bridges between churches and schools in their communities.

train others to further the work – both individually and in groups, delivered in partnerships and solely by CCSW. 

network with many other groups – to ensure that the work is reaching as much of the nation as possible. The vision is more important than the council!

CCSW working with individuals

The vision is massive and will only be achieved if others grasp hold of it. Are you a gifted communicator with children or young people? Can you organise events? Are you able to support others? Are you good at crafts? Or drama? Or Bible teaching? Or sport? Whatever your gifts, there are opportunities to be part of what CCSW is seeking, with God’s help, to achieve.   

We need people who will pray for the work. We need volunteers who will get involved in their locality, and yes, we need those who will give generously as well. Please visit the CCSW website (www.ccsw.org.uk) for more information of how you can get involved in the work.

CCSW working with Churches

CCSW is committed to developing links between churches and schools. Each church is in a unique situation with different resources available to it and slightly different emphases. CCSW is seeking to develop different resources to meet the needs of the churches we are working with.

JAFFA clubs (Jesus A Friend For All) are Christian based after-school clubs run by local churches to support the school in its provision of ‘Extended Schools’.

Easter Cracked (developed in partnership with Scripture Union) is a multi-media explanation of why Easter is so important to Christians. This two-hour programme is delivered to pupils in Years 5 or 6 in the church building.

Christmas Wrapped Up (developed in partnership with SU) helps Year 2 pupils to understand what is so special about Christmas. Again, this energetic project takes place in the church.

Training is provided on request to churches looking to lead collective worship, take lessons, run Sixth Form conferences, establish Christian groups in secondary schools, and know what it means to be a governor, and much, much more.

Encourage prayer for the needs of the schools in your community.

There are many other opportunities to support your school. Visit www.ccsw.org.uk to investigate some effective models for churches.

CCSW working with SU

Since its formation in 1981, CCSW has had a special relationship with Scripture Union in Wales.

SU uses the Bible to inspire children, young people and adults to know God. SU staff, volunteers and associates work across England and Wales, connecting people with God and with each other.

Scripture Union’s vision is for:

Every Christian to engage enthusiastically with the Bible and grow in his/her faith.

Every church to be fully equipped to make disciples of children and young people.

Every community to have a vital Christian witness to children, young people and families.

If you would like to know more about the SU team and activities in Wales, please visit www.scriptureunion.org.uk/Wales

Meet Matt Lewis, CCSW’s current Schools’ Worker

I had been teaching Geography in a Cardiff High School for eight years – and loving it – when God nudged me one Sunday morning. ‘Have you lost your first love?’ was the question. ‘Yes’ was the honest answer. When I looked at my wife who was sat next to me in church, I could tell she’d answered the same way. As we started to pray through what it meant to put God first again, He laid on our hearts a burden for the children and young people of Wales. Continued prayer led us to schools, and eventually to CCSW.

With Helen’s support, I started working for the charity in January 2004 – and what an incredible privilege it is! Very early on we adopted Psalm 78:4 as our focus:

we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, his   power, and the wonders he has done.

As we travel across the country leading assemblies, taking lessons, setting up Christian groups in schools, running Sixth Form conferences, training others and much more, we keep coming back to the same verse. We want children to know the God of the Bible who has done amazing things for His people, and continues to be at work in our world today.

Helen and I have been married since 1995 and we have three beautiful daughters, Naomi, Hannah and Abi.

Some comments about Matt’s work include:

The children really enjoy the visits and he puts his message over in such a way that they are able to remember what he has told us.

Primary headteacher

The combination of a professional attitude, great pupil control and thought-provoking lessons, add up to a really positive experience for pupils at Key Stage 3 and 4.

Secondary school teacher of RE

To get in touch with Matt to discuss any areas of the work email: mattl@scriptureunion.org.uk

A note from the Chair of CCSW

For thirty years, CCSW has depended on the prayers, giving, and sometimes time of the Lord’s people in Wales. We are most grateful to those who have given this support. The Lord has been faithful throughout this time in providing for the needs of the work, but never with anything to spare. We would now like to expand this important ministry further, but to do so, new support will be needed. Please consider whether you are able to help in any way, and if so, we would love you to get in touch.

 Chris Hess