How S. U(Scripture Union) originated
Virtually, everyone in major cities in Nigeria and Africa have heard of the acronym S.U. While, some see S.U, as an organization, of people that are archaic and that are against the good things of life because they see everything as sin. “In the 70s and 90s, the term, S.U, was a very popular sarcastic appellation for born-again men and women, owing to their high moral and religious standards presumably influenced by the Scripture Union.”
To have,a proper and unbiased perspective of S.U we need to know how SU originated: In August 1868 Josiah Spiers went for a two-week holiday to Llandudno, a quiet resort place
in North Wales that catered for the new fashion of holidays by the sea. As Josiah watched
some of the children making a garden with pebbles and seaweed, he suddenly had an idea
why might not these children be making a text of scripture with pebbles? Only a few minutes
were needed to implement the idea. He ran off to the shop, obtained a ball of string and some
pegs and appeared again on the beach. Eagerly he asked who will help him write a text.
Stakes were fixed in the sand to make two straight lines. Josiah Spiers began to trace with a
spade the words GOD IS LOVE. Excited children dashed off to collect white stones which
they carefully filled into letters. As the work went on, quite a crowd of children and grown-
up people gathered round. Soon the text was finished. What shall we do next? The children
asked. Mr. Spiers had not expected anything further, and was rather surprised. Shall I tell you
a story? he suggested. Oh yes, a story! cried fifty voices at once. Quickly everyone moved a
few yards up the beach and the children sat down on the sand to listen. When one story was
finished, they asked for another and another. In this totally unplanned way the first seaside
service was held. Each morning the children came running up to him as soon as he appeared
on the beach. With a meeting each morning and text-decorating interspersed with fun, games
and plenty of singing, the week passed all too soon. Finally he left Llandudno on 5
September, convinced that several children had come to put their faith in Christ and that
beach missions had come to stay.
The name S.U, came about in the year 1960 when the need to have a unified structure across the nations in which Scripture union was located.
Scripture Union aims to make God’s Good News known to children, young people and families; and to encourage people of all ages to meet God daily through the Bible and prayer, so that they may come to personal faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, grow in Christian maturity, and become both committed church members and servants of a world in need. Scripture Union also aim to teach people on how to walk in the way of holiness and righteousness since this is the only way to get to heaven.
Ever since, S.U,, came to Nigeria, there have been great,testimony of lives that have been, transformed through the school ministry, and other live transforming programs.
In conclusion, Scripture Union aims to cause multiple streams of revival in the life of every man on earth. The overall aim, of S.U is to bring the peace of God to man and reconcile men back to God.
Scripture Union, is never against living a good life as some assume but teaches that as we live our lives we should do so according to the will and purpose of God.
Imagine, if Josiah Spiers was disobedient to God , I don’t think scripture union will be in existence. This is a lesson, to everyone one of us. When God calls us,we should be prompt to obey and follow him.
The lessons, I learnt from the S.U campus Fellowship conference will be in my next post
Thanks
References:
(1) We’ve made great impact on Nigerian youths, says Scripture Union retrieved from www.sunnewsonline.com on June 20th 2018
(2) Scripture Union History retrieved
(3) www.sunigeria.org
