Overseas Ministry and Development

During the first weeks of October, Dr Stephen Fyson travelled to Sri Lanka and Poland to assist in the development of Christian schools. The trip was sponsored by Pacific Hills Christian School’s Christian Education Development Program, which facilitates such development relationships.

The King’s International College in Ja Ela, Sri Lanka, has a pioneer team of young Christian educators, who love their children and love learning. Dr Fyson spent a week exploring the theme of ‘Starting Points for Teaching as a Christian’, part of a program under development as part of the Alphacrucis Continuing Professional Learning program. His colleague, Colin Lees from Pacific Hills Christian School, provided creative opportunities to explore alternative models of teaching in the classroom.

“Sri Lanka is such a beautiful place, and so were these people”, noted Dr Fyson. “It has been a real pleasure returning to support them and to see what God has done and continues to do.” Dr Fyson also acknowledged their help in the ‘Starting Points’ course development: “The interaction and feedback with the course material was also a real help in working to shape this program – it will be better because of their involvement!”

Poland is a country still undergoing reform after being released from Communist rule in 1989. It was amazing to see how churches are working through Christian schooling to bless their nations. Dr Fyson took workshops with representatives from five Christian schools (including one about to open its doors for the first time) and ran leadership and development sessions for teachers and school leaders:
“These people are so warm, open to new ideas, and compassionately committed” Dr Fyson reflected. “It will be exciting to watch how God continues to bless their work into the future”. And of Poland generally, Dr Fyson gave this reminder:

​“We must continue to pray for these Christian pioneer programs and the people implementing them – there is still much to be considered as they work out how to more freely express their Christian hope across their nation.”

Left: Teachers in a “Starting Points” workshop in Poznan, Poland;
Right: Dr Fyson, Colin Lees and teachers from King’s International College, Sri Lanka