Missions and Ministry
Christian Religious Instruction – Reaching Children in Our Schools
For more than 25 years, Julie Terry has been teaching and coordinating the Christian Religious Instruction (CRI) Program in our local State Primary Schools. Julie has a deep passion for helping children discover the teachings of the Bible and God’s plan and purpose for their lives.
A few facts about our local CRI program
The aim of Christian Religious Instruction in Queensland is to inform students about the basic beliefs of the Christian faith from a non-denominational perspective, using an approved curriculum.
CRI in Hervey Bay in 2026
This year, our local CRI program has operated in five primary schools, reaching more than 950 children from Years 1–6.
These children receive a 30-minute CRI lesson each week across 41 different classes, taught by a dedicated team of 15 volunteer instructors and assistants from seven different churches in Hervey Bay.
That is more children than attend our combined church children's programs!
Unfortunately, more than 250 students at Yarrilee State School who have RI consent have not received lessons since 2021, due to a shortage of volunteer instructors.
Moving Forward
Under the guidance of Pastor Brett Wilson, the Hervey Bay Christian Ministers Association has been exploring ways to strengthen and grow this vital ministry and move towards a new era of CRI oversight and delivery.
A CRI Committee has been established to oversee the process of moving towards a paid CRI model, where a Coordinator and key instructors would receive some remuneration. This model aims to provide greater consistency in the delivery of RI lessons, ensure fuller coverage of CRI classes and reduce the pressure on our existing volunteer team.
After 25 years as CRI Coordinator, Julie plans to step down in the near future. With this in mind, the Ministers Association is currently training a new recruit who is expected to take over the Coordinator’s role in early 2027.
You Can Make a Difference
Each of us can play a part in supporting and growing this important ministry to the children of our city.
Encourage
Julie encourages us to see CRI in our local schools as an extension of the Church’s ministry to the children of our city.
“How can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent?”
Romans 10:14–15
What a privilege it is for our churches to send people into our schools to share the good news of Jesus with the next generation.
Julie Terry
CRI Coordinator – Hervey Bay Christian Ministers Association
2026
“Many of the children in our CRI classes do not attend a local church and have very little knowledge about the teachings of the Bible. Through our local CRI program, our team has the privilege of going to where the children are – our local primary schools – helping them discover and explore the teachings of the Bible and the beliefs of the Christian faith, and grow in their understanding of God’s love and His plans for people.
Weekly CRI lessons may also be one of the only times some children regularly connect with a follower of Christ – their CRI instructor.”
A few facts about our local CRI program
The aim of Christian Religious Instruction in Queensland is to inform students about the basic beliefs of the Christian faith from a non-denominational perspective, using an approved curriculum.
- Under Queensland Government legislation dating back to 1910, religious instruction can be offered to students in Years 1–6 in Queensland State Schools for up to one hour per week.
- Parents must provide written consent for their children to participate.
- Two peak bodies support the implementation of CRI across Queensland – the Alliance for Christian Education (ACRE) and the Queensland Christian Religious Instruction Network (QCRIN).
- Local CRI programs operate through cooperative arrangements involving local churches and Ministers’ Associations. Instructors from different denominations work together under the same guidelines and use the same curriculum.
CRI in Hervey Bay in 2026
This year, our local CRI program has operated in five primary schools, reaching more than 950 children from Years 1–6.
These children receive a 30-minute CRI lesson each week across 41 different classes, taught by a dedicated team of 15 volunteer instructors and assistants from seven different churches in Hervey Bay.
That is more children than attend our combined church children's programs!
Unfortunately, more than 250 students at Yarrilee State School who have RI consent have not received lessons since 2021, due to a shortage of volunteer instructors.
Moving Forward
Under the guidance of Pastor Brett Wilson, the Hervey Bay Christian Ministers Association has been exploring ways to strengthen and grow this vital ministry and move towards a new era of CRI oversight and delivery.
A CRI Committee has been established to oversee the process of moving towards a paid CRI model, where a Coordinator and key instructors would receive some remuneration. This model aims to provide greater consistency in the delivery of RI lessons, ensure fuller coverage of CRI classes and reduce the pressure on our existing volunteer team.
After 25 years as CRI Coordinator, Julie plans to step down in the near future. With this in mind, the Ministers Association is currently training a new recruit who is expected to take over the Coordinator’s role in early 2027.
You Can Make a Difference
Each of us can play a part in supporting and growing this important ministry to the children of our city.
Encourage
Encourage families you know to consider consenting for their children to participate in CRI at enrolment or by contacting their school.
GoConsider becoming a CRI instructor, assistant or providing administrative support. Training and teaching resources are provided.
PrayPlease pray regularly for the RI ministry, the instructors and the children they serve. Prayer meetings are held at 4pm on the first Thursday of each month at HBBC, or you can contact cri@hbcma.org.au to receive prayer updates.
GiveFinancial support is needed for curriculum, student activity books and Bibles – approximately $8,000 per year. You can also support the vision for a paid CRI model in our region through a one-off gift or regular donation to the Project 100 fundraiser.
Julie encourages us to see CRI in our local schools as an extension of the Church’s ministry to the children of our city.
“How can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent?”
Romans 10:14–15
What a privilege it is for our churches to send people into our schools to share the good news of Jesus with the next generation.
Julie Terry
CRI Coordinator – Hervey Bay Christian Ministers Association
2026
Posted in Missions & Ministry