Mackay Paid RI Financial Update: Forward Projections to See More Kids Question, Explore and Discover Jesus

Paid Christian Religious Instruction (RI) in Mackay was birthed when ACRE employed a Regional Development Officer (RDO) for our region, Jay-ellen Wright in 2022. Jay-ellen saw what God had done in Rockhampton through Paid RI and began working with the local Mackay Reference Group (MDRIRG) and church leaders to see it happen here to help us give more kids the opportunity to question, explore and discover Jesus.

In 2023, the first funds for Paid RI began to be raised. In November 2024, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Mackay Churches Together (MCT) and ACRE. Then the Mackay ACRE Sub Committee (ASC) was formed back in March 2025. (Any local church families in Mackay who would like to be a member of the Mackay ASC, please contact us, we’d love to have more people involved!).

Since the formation of the Mackay ASC, Paid RI positions have been advertised, interviewed and then appointed. First Merril Clarke started in term 4 last year, 2025, followed by Tabitha Norgate at the start of 2026.

Currently,

• 728 students, 14 schools, 27 lessons covered through Paid RI program

• Merril - 446 students, 7 schools, 17 lessons (including 3 volunteer) (14 hrs paid)

• Tabitha - 282 students, 7 schools, 13.5 lessons (10 hrs paid)

• Merril began at Northview last year, and Mirani SS this year – both schools that haven’t had RI for some time. She has recently started new Christian RI programs at Eton and North Eton schools.

• Both Merril and Tabitha have additional days available, allowing us to extend towards equivalent of 1 full time role

Our hope is to be able to offer another Paid RI role in term 4 this year. We are thankful for a healthy financial reserve. To be able to sustainably afford 2 full time roles, we would need to extend from current monthly donation amount of $3300 per month, to $5400. Please ask our Heavenly Father to meet this need, and if you are led by God to give towards this worthy cause, please click our donate button now.