Where Are They Now?
Where are they now? Mark Schroder
Mark Schroder has worked as a teacher, chaplain, and youth minister, but he was not always the academic type. In his words, “I loved my school but didn’t love school.”
In year 12, Mark didn’t get the marks to enroll in a primary education degree and wondered what to do next. At school he talked to his career officer who recommended a new training college for youth and children’s ministry: Youthworks College.
Mark called the College and spoke to the Dean, Graham Stanton. Graham asked some questions to find out whether he had a Christian faith. To Mark’s surprise, at the end of the conversation Graham said, “I want to offer you a position here. By the way … we start on Monday.”
Mark was even more surprised when five minutes after this conversation his Grandmother rang. She said, “The Lord wants you to go to Bible college. I’ll leave this decision to you.”
Mark Schroder
Mark believed that this was clear guidance from God and followed his Grandmother’s advice. Despite being fresh out of school, he was also offered a youth ministry position at Eagle Vale Anglican Church where he worked while he studied.
At Youthworks College, Mark found a place where he could grow in his academic ability and spiritual maturity. The lecturers walked with him as he grew. He remembers, “They held my hand, and helped me to get through.”
Lectures were mind-blowing for him, “The lectures spoke wonderful biblical truths into my life. Like the sovereignty of God and having hope in Jesus. I was rocked by biblical theology and God’s covenant with Abraham to bring blessing to the world.” He also learnt teaching skills that he still uses today in his talks, “I still use these tools today, like balloon animals, magic tricks and visual ways to communicate the gospel message.”
Mark says that college prepared him for university. “When I went to uni, it was great to have that theological foundation. I could approach Sociology and Education with a theological foundation. My Diploma helped me think about my theology and practice and shaped how I think as a Christian teacher.”
After uni, Mark became a teacher at St Peter’s Anglican School at Campbeltown and ran the youth group at his church. He built fruitful connections between the school and church and the youth ministry grew from 10-12 kids to about 80. But he began to feel dissatisfied, “By Monday morning I was frustrated by the ‘school stuff’ my heart didn’t beat for it.”
Nigel Fortesque from St Peter’s Church rang and offered him a position as the kids and youth minister and Mark served there for five years. As part of his ministry, he was able to keep doing schools ministry, “At Broughton Anglican School we had a ‘Monday Roast’ group. Every fortnight we would choose a controversial topic and the kids could pepper us with questions. Then the next week we would teach them ‘this is what the Bible says’”.
“I was then encouraged to become the chaplain at Broughton, and this is what I have been doing for the last seven years.” Being a chaplain is a, “Perfect mix of everything I like to do, the best of education and ministry put together.”
What motivates Mark is that 70% of the kids at school come from unbelieving families. “There are 800 teenagers at Easter that I get to talk to about the cross. I have the largest youth group in the region!”. He doesn’t see chapel as church, but it is evangelistic and at the same time disciples Christian kids. “I teach all the parts of the Bible, even the ugly bits”.
The church and school are still able to work in partnership. The rector comes in at times as a guest speaker. On Reconciliation Day he spoke on, “How do we live wisely in this world?” and concluded that only through Jesus can we be truly reconciled with God and with each other.
Mark wants more Christians to consider becoming a teacher or a chaplain and supports the Centre for Christian Education as a helpful pathway. “It will teach you about pedagogy, how to teach kids the Bible as well as practical skills.”
“Being a Christian teacher in a Christian school is such a powerful opportunity to see change and I see Christian teachers who are passionate about sharing their faith with the kids.”
Mark is married to Nicole and has three children. Fletcher who is 10, Wesley is 8 and Hudson is 5.
Prayer points:
creativity as he teaches the Bible to kids from the ages of 5 to 18;
wisdom as he teaches the Bible in a secular world; and
thankfulness for the incredible opportunity we have in Christian schools to preach the gospel.
More information
2024 enrolments for Youthworks College and the Centre for Christian Education are now open. Click on the links to find out more.