You might know Launchpad by one of its older names – Bible in Schools. I’ve just started as the new Regional Leader for Launchpad in Nelson, and I’m excited to say that we’re seeing a local resurgence after a decline over the years.
Launchpad actually started here in Nelson over 140 years ago.
In 1897, Reverend James Mackenzie started a non-denominational Bible programme that ran just before the official start of the school day. It became so successful that it was permitted by regional education boards, and continued over the years in various forms, supported by schools across the country.
In 2019 Bible in Schools was rebranded to Launchpad, which focuses on teaching values using stories from the Bible and NZ and international role models to illustrate these values.
The programme itself is a 30-minute session that presents stories from the Bible to teach children about values like courage, kindness, self control and respect, which in turn contributes to the culture of our schools and communities.
I see Launchpad as a great way to present the Bible to kids that may never have even heard of it before!
We can plant seeds in their lives that I pray mature over time. Our children need a sense of hope and purpose in their lives and that is why we are in schools. This term, we have started in two local schools, and it’s being well received by both students and teachers. It's still early days for us, but we have found that students are really engaged and definitely taking it in. They come full of smiles and are happy to see us. We’ve seen that kids love sharing their own Bible knowledge or experience with us and it's great to watch them building on what they already know. When we were talking about patience in a school recently, one girl said, “Isn't that a fruit of the Spirit?”
As Christians, we are called to be the light in our communities and I think that Launchpad is a great way to reach out to our community. We want children to have a greater awareness of who they are, their world and their place in it. If we can help them develop strong values and sense of self then I believe this encourages them to delve deeper into what they believe.
I’m working hard on reaching more schools who may want to start the Launchpad programme, and partnering with churches to find more volunteer presenters who are keen to go into their local schools.
If you’re keen and available to get involved, then it only takes about one hour a week to join as a presenter for your local school. All resources and curriculum are provided so that it’s as easy as possible for our presenters to engage well with the children and present a Biblically-based lesson along with other inspirational role models.
If your church would like to learn more, I can come and speak about our work or have a table set up during a missions or community focused event.
If your school is interested in the option of introducing a values-based programme, I can meet with the principal, deputy principal or Board of Trustees. Launchpad is an opt-in program so not all students have to attend, and families can decide if they want their child to be included.
Email me to talk about any of the above!
We also appreciate prayer, of course, and financial support. Donation details can be found on the Launchpad website.
Check out other articles in the
series below.
More articles in the
series are to come.
We have invited these writers to share their experiences, ideas and opinions in the hope that these will provoke thought, challenge you to go deeper and inspire you to put your faith into action. These articles should not be taken as the official view of the Nelson Diocese on any particular matter.
You might know Launchpad by one of its older names – Bible in Schools. I’ve just started as the new Regional Leader for Launchpad in Nelson, and I’m excited to say that we’re seeing a local resurgence after a decline over the years.
Launchpad actually started here in Nelson over 140 years ago.
In 1897, Reverend James Mackenzie started a non-denominational Bible programme that ran just before the official start of the school day. It became so successful that it was permitted by regional education boards, and continued over the years in various forms, supported by schools across the country.
In 2019 Bible in Schools was rebranded to Launchpad, which focuses on teaching values using stories from the Bible and NZ and international role models to illustrate these values.
The programme itself is a 30-minute session that presents stories from the Bible to teach children about values like courage, kindness, self control and respect, which in turn contributes to the culture of our schools and communities.
I see Launchpad as a great way to present the Bible to kids that may never have even heard of it before!
We can plant seeds in their lives that I pray mature over time. Our children need a sense of hope and purpose in their lives and that is why we are in schools. This term, we have started in two local schools, and it’s being well received by both students and teachers. It's still early days for us, but we have found that students are really engaged and definitely taking it in. They come full of smiles and are happy to see us. We’ve seen that kids love sharing their own Bible knowledge or experience with us and it's great to watch them building on what they already know. When we were talking about patience in a school recently, one girl said, “Isn't that a fruit of the Spirit?”
As Christians, we are called to be the light in our communities and I think that Launchpad is a great way to reach out to our community. We want children to have a greater awareness of who they are, their world and their place in it. If we can help them develop strong values and sense of self then I believe this encourages them to delve deeper into what they believe.
I’m working hard on reaching more schools who may want to start the Launchpad programme, and partnering with churches to find more volunteer presenters who are keen to go into their local schools.
If you’re keen and available to get involved, then it only takes about one hour a week to join as a presenter for your local school. All resources and curriculum are provided so that it’s as easy as possible for our presenters to engage well with the children and present a Biblically-based lesson along with other inspirational role models.
If your church would like to learn more, I can come and speak about our work or have a table set up during a missions or community focused event.
If your school is interested in the option of introducing a values-based programme, I can meet with the principal, deputy principal or Board of Trustees. Launchpad is an opt-in program so not all students have to attend, and families can decide if they want their child to be included.
Email me to talk about any of the above!
We also appreciate prayer, of course, and financial support. Donation details can be found on the Launchpad website.
Check out other articles in the
series below.
More articles in the
series are to come.
