‘Are you even allowed to teach Christianity in schools these days?’ This is often the first reaction I hear when explaining my job as an Insight schools’ worker. ‘Yes!’
Insight began 30 years ago with a vision to reach the local school children of Kingston through partnering with local churches. The gospel is proclaimed through RE lessons, assemblies, Bible clubs, and school trips to local churches. Last year, through God’s provision, it was possible to expand this ministry into the neighbouring borough of Richmond.
Having recently joined the team, I have become increasingly aware of the intrinsic relationship between people praying and doors opening. Let me share with you a few stories of the Lord at work as His people pray.
Visiting a plant
Insight recently brought 100 primary school children on an RE trip to a relatively new church plant. Among other things, they heard of the grace of God through the death of Jesus. Historically this community school has not welcomed Christian teaching. I recently discovered that, 15 years ago, a group of parents started to pray for the school each month. The local church later joined those already praying, and we are now witnessing a significant change of heart in the school leadership. Fruit from these prayers is abundant.
When Insight was launched in the late 1980s, men and women began gathering to pray for openings to speak into the young lives of local school children. Developing bridges between schools and churches is a key aspect of the work of Insight. This Easter five of our partner churches in the Kingston borough were involved in hosting our ‘Easter Experience’, which presents a powerful retelling of Jesus’ death and resurrection. The majority of all Year 5 children in the borough attended this event in their local church. Each school which attends such an event represents an individual story of God’s Spirit paving the way in teachers’ hearts. The Lord is on the move.
Praying for growth
We have also been asking the Lord to grow the work in local secondary schools. This is sometimes harder ground to break, with increased suspicion and hurdles to overcome.
I recently heard the story of a Christian teacher who prayed for 25 years for gospel work to begin in his local secondary school. When the time came for him to retire, there were ten young people meeting in his classroom each week for a lunchtime talk supported by local youth workers and the Insight team. Fast-forward to 2019 and there are currently 20-30 young people who are hearing the gospel in these weekly meetings. The Lord has been answering the prayers of the teacher who had a long-term vision and prayed persistently.
Let’s never grow weary of asking the Lord to open doors into our local communities so that the name of Jesus might be made known.
