Many young people have no connection with a church today. Consequently, for a church to employ a Christian schools worker to go into the school to meet with pupils there, may be the most effective way of a church engaging with young people and helping them to understand the Christian faith.
To do this, many churches join with other churches or Christian groups to form Christian trusts/charities to support a Christian schools worker in the local community. In some cases, this is a joint appointment between a school and a local church.
Often, such a trust is a group of Christians representing many of the churches in the locality. The trust will employ and support a worker or a team who work in local schools leading collective worship, contributing to assemblies, religious education and PHSE lessons (Personal Health & Social Education), running extra-curricular activities, contributing to out-of-hours provision and helping to provide pastoral support. The essential prayer and financial support will usually come from individuals and local churches.
It could well be that there is a schools work trust in your area. If that’s the case, then if your church is not yet involved, approach the trust and offer your support. It is vital that local churches work together to support the work of any local Christian youth work agency that works in schools.
Alternatively, in many areas, one of the national Christian organisations such as Youth for Christ and Scripture Union and will have workers based in your locality. These usually operate as a local franchise from the national organisation. In the same way as local church trusts need prayer and financial support, these nationally organised local franchises also need the local churches to support workers in your local area.
If there isn’t a trust in your area, then work with other churches and individual Christians to start one. Don’t re-invent the wheel! The national Christian schools work trusts will be very willing to share their expertise.