Promise Island: Holiday Clubs bring Jesus and Joy

The school holidays are never just a break at Scripture Union—they're an opportunity to create unforgettable experiences where children can encounter Jesus.

This past holiday season, we hosted two vibrant Promise Island holiday clubs that brought joy, laughter, and life-changing moments to over 180 children.

Merlewood Primary

We had an incredible time at our annual Holiday Club hosted at Merlewood Primary School. For five exciting days, 120 children joined us for:

• Bible lessons that made God's word come alive

• Games and activities that built friendships

• Memory verses that planted truth in young hearts

• Wholesome snacks and meals

Holiday clubs remain an integral part of our mission to introduce young people to Jesus by guiding them to explore faith and respond to the Gospel.

120 Children, 5 Days, Countless Memories

A Community Comes Together

We are deeply grateful to our amazing sponsors who made this possible:

• Ignite Group

• Potters House Ministries

• Genesis Trust

• Chrissy Lechki

Their generous provision of lunches and refreshments turned this week into something truly special.

Hebron Christian Fellowship: 60 Children, 5 Days of Transformation

In partnership with Hebron Christian Fellowship, our mission partners hosted another successful Holiday Club during the June holidays.

Neo, our Mission Enabler in Pietermaritzburg, shared:

"We had 60 children attending over five days. The team served tirelessly to make it a meaningful and fun experience for them!"

"Jesus said, 'Let the children come to me. Don't stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.'" (Matthew 19:14, NLT)

Why Holiday Clubs Matter

Holiday clubs create something unique a safe, fun space where children who might never set foot in a church can:

• Hear the Gospel in age-appropriate, engaging ways

• Experience community and make positive friendships

• Learn memory verses that stay with them for life

• Feel valued and cared for through meals, activities, and attention

• Respond to Jesus in an environment free from pressure

For many children, a holiday club is their first real encounter with the love of Jesus expressed through His people.

The Ripple Effect

What happens at holiday clubs doesn't stay at holiday clubs. These experiences create ripples that extend into:

• Families: Children go home and share what they learned

• Schools: Relationships deepen when term resumes

• Churches: Some children and families connect with local congregations

• Communities: Lives touched by the Gospel become lights in their neighborhoods

Looking Ahead

We're already planning our next season of holiday programs. If your church or community would like to partner with us to host a holiday club, we'd love to hear from you.

Every child deserves to know they are loved by God. Holiday clubs are one powerful way we make that message real.