150 years ago God called Scripture Union (then CSSM) into being through the vision of one man, Josiah Spiers. It was at a time in England when children were not considered essential to the life of the church.
Josiah recognised that children could know God and needed to be nurtured in their faith in ways appropriate to them. He responded to God’s calling and CSSM was born.

From that small beginning, Scripture Union has expanded to a community of more than 130 Movements in more than 120 countries worldwide, all sharing the same Aim, Belief Statement and Working Principles. Scripture Union has grown as people have recognised needs and opportunities in their time and context. This has led to the development diverse ministries strategically designed to fit the context and culture of each country around the world.

Two books of the history of Scripture Union; God’s Word in a Young World and Tale of Two Visions, are being made available in digital format for wider distribution. These books tell the story of God’s leading over many years since the first children’s meeting in 1867. It is the story of a great Movement that has been used of God to bring millions of children and young people to faith in Christ and nurtured them in their faith. It is a story that is still being written by Scripture Union volunteers and staff around the world as they share the same vision that Josiah Spiers had in 1867. We pray that you will be encouraged as you read about the rich history of Scripture Union, and may these great pioneers of the past continue to give us vision for the future.