Media release: Scripture Union unveils new Council; Jackie Cray named first President

Scripture Union has announced children's ministry specialist Jackie Cray as the first President of its newly formed Council.

Her duties will begin tomorrow, on Saturday November 15, at the inaugural meeting of the movement's new Council.

The Christian mission movement and publisher, whose work involves year-round ministry to children and young people as well as publishing books and resources for the Christian church, recently voted to reform its system of internal governance, and sought to appoint a President to oversee the movement's biannual council meetings.

Scripture Union Chief Executive Keith Civval commented: 'We're very excited to welcome Jackie as President of the Council. Jackie's passion for ministry among children and young people together with her long-standing association with Scripture Union make her our ideal choice for our first President.'

Jackie Cray has been involved in working with children and young people since she was 18, in churches including St Michael le Belfrey, York. She serves on the ministry and welfare teams of Soul Survivor. Until recently, she was also Family and Under-5s Adviser for CPAS.

Jackie's association with Scripture Union began when she started using curriculum materials for teaching children in the various church settings. She has served on Scripture Union's Council of Reference and worked closely with Scripture Union editors as a consultant.

'Scripture Union offers a breadth of resources and training which evangelise, train leaders and grow disciples,' commented Jackie. 'There is also a commitment to reach and encourage children in their faith through missions and activity holidays as well as meeting children where they all are - in the school context.'

During her time as President, Jackie hopes to see Scripture Union achieve its five strategic goals, announced at the beginning of last year:

'Achieving the strategic goals will result in even larger numbers of children and young people encountering the gospel and growing in faith, as well as encouraging more adults to use regular bible resources. We want to see new resources for ministry to young families used effectively in local churches, and we'd like to develop our advocacy role on behalf of children and young people into an effective tool which will envision the church to take the spiritual lives of children seriously.'

Pictures available to accompany this story: Jackie Cray, Keith Civval, Scripture Union logos.