A children's worker is using the world game serve a local school community.
Children’s Ministry Director at St Paul's, Chatswood, Mike Parks has spent the last two years assisting with Friday afternoon sport at Chatswood Public School as a way of giving a face to the local Anglican church.
Mr Parks' efforts have included guiding the school's seniors soccer team to a Division 2 Ku-ring-gai district championship.
Mr Parks says his involvement in the local public school is part of St Paul's, Chatswood’s approach, led by rector, the Rev Stuart Robinson, to engage the ministry team in the local community.
"When Stuart appointed me children's ministry director last year he was keen for me to be involved in the local public school," Mr Parks says.
"As well as doing Scripture, we thought it would be helpful to volunteer in another capacity to witness to the community."
While Chatswood Public is renowned for its music program, it is not well-known for its sporting prowess.
However, as a former high school teacher who has coached other sports teams in district competitions, Mr Parks felt he could use his expertise to assist the school.
"Sometimes it's a case that God will give you a heart for mission to a particular community and you can use your gifts and experience to reach out," he says.
"God gave me a heart for young people, so I am doing what I can to see them won for the kingdom and grow to love Jesus."
Many of the boys in the championship winning soccer team are now attending St Paul's Friday night youth programs.
"In the last two years we have seen the younger Friday night group go from 10 to 55 kids and I put part of it down to us being more involved in the local primary school," Mr Parks says.
He adds that St Paul's strategy is to work out their vision statements and mission goals, pray for them and put them into practice.
"We have been successful in getting people from church to be involved in the community in different ways," he says.
"The key is to go where the "fish' are. You have to go to those places where people need support, where you can contribute and minister to them. As people see Jesus at work in us they will find that attractive."
