Where Are They Now?

Pictured: Junee, her husband Joe and daughter Ella

Where Are They Now? Junee Park

Junee is a primary school teacher who sees herself as a chaplain to her year 3 class. This is what gets her out of bed each morning and motivates her to juggle work and family commitments, “I am being a chaplain and helping these children and their families.”

Junee was a teacher for 15 years before she came to Youthworks College in 2013. She and her husband Joe were involved in a church plant, and she found herself running the children’s ministry.

Junee had teaching experience and training, but she says, “I wanted to know more theology, some practical skills in church ministry, and wanted to be able to train parents at church to help lead the kids’ ministry.”

Junee began her studies online but wanted to learn face to face. She came to Youthworks College because of its specialisation in youth and children’s ministry. Even though she was older than the other students, she loved the community and was inspired by what she saw as, “Their common vision for the younger generation.”

There were a few things that Junee learnt at college that she still uses in her ministry today, “I really learnt how to work with parents in ministry and equip them to lead on Sundays, but also how to empower them to read the Bible and pray with their children.”

Junee also went on a college mission that used Toy Story in its teaching program. This taught her that, “The gospel can be woven through culture.”

After college, Junee was at home with her newborn daughter Ella, and she did not know what was next. When Ella went to school, Junee studied chaplaincy and as part of that unit, she did some pracs in different schools. In the private schools she noticed that the chaplain had a very academic role teaching classroom curriculum, “It seemed to be more about marks than relationships.” In the public schools, chaplaincy seemed to be more about pastoral care, but the chaplains could not preach or pray with the children.  

In 2020, Junee was praying, “Dear God, put me where you want me to be.” Then, a position was offered to her at Toongabbie Christian College. It is here that Junee felt that she could bring together both parts of being a chaplain – the teaching and the care, even as a classroom teacher.

Junee has loved being in a Christian school where she is free to teach children the Bible. She teaches them the redemptive story of the Bible – creation, fall and redemption. She believes that there is a challenge in applying the Bible to children’s lives and making the Bible relevant without being moralistic.

She believes that the gospel will help the children as they form their identity, Junee says, “They have so many feelings and questions, they are asking themselves ‘Who should I be? What is a good person?’  I try to teach them about grace, that they are fallen yet redeemed. I try to teach them grace not moralism. They may not get a certificate or come first in that race, but I tell them, ‘you are enough’”.

Junee has also seen her role as caring for children and families, especially after Covid. “I have seen lots of changes in little people and their families, they really need my support and prayer”.

Please pray

-        For Toongabbie Christian College and its ministry to children and families.

-        For all schools after Covid, children and families need a lot of support and care.

-        For Junee as she balances family, ministry, and other responsibilities.