Sponsors share

Sponsors from seven different schools where invited to an evening of Fellowship and Encouragement on Saturday 24^th January 2015. After a fun activity where we got to know each other more (can you guess which one of them scaled a fence because the gate was locked?) we reviewed the responsibilities of the sponsors. They were reminded of the commitment to ensure that the ISCF meetings were planned and executed every week.

Four sponsors enjoy a time of fellowship with Board chairman

Sponsors then shared challenges they were experiencing in their schools. In one school, they did not have the support of the administration, and the strained relationship negatively impacted on their ability to hold regular meetings due to an inadequate meeting area. Another sponsor shared that some of the students who had been attending regularly are not strong believers, but she has no one else to form the Executive. She was encouraged by the testimony of another sponsor who had faced a similar challenge. After investing time in discipling the students, he had seen change after they had been placed in that position of responsibility. One young lady who used to frequent parties regularly with her relatives has stopped going since she joined ISCF.

Another issue that was raised was the lack of support from other Christian teachers in the schools. Many of them do not view the school as their mission field, and are involved in many other activities in the school, so they do not have time for ISCF. It was suggested that we have a session with all the teachers on staff to share the vision of ISCF with them, so that more of them would come on board.

It was also felt that the churches have been neglecting the youth, and are not focused on evangelism. There is an emphasis on investing in buildings, but not in the lives of the next generation. As a result, many of the students, even those who attend church regularly, are ignorant about basic biblical principles. It is therefore up to ISCF to introduce them to what the Bible teaches about Christ, and how they should live.

Sponsors asked that we have a session to help the shy students to become more confident. Board chairman Rodney Mc Intyre shared his testimony about how his involvement in ISCF helped him to become more bold and self confident, so the teachers were encouraged to continue working with the students who may be reluctant at first. Also, participation in events like Link Up and Camp encourage the less bold students to ‘come out of their shells’.

We shared material which contained the Hook, Book, Look, Took method for teaching a bible lesson, for those schools which were not represented at the last student training. We spent time in prayer together, lifting our concerns, and then enjoyed a time of fellowship over the refreshments which were provided. We thank God for the sponsors who responded to this invitation, and continue to pray for endurance and fresh strategies for them as they minister to the students who are in their 'Judea'.