Recently been thinking of ways to continue to engage local children and youth holistically, that will empower them to succeed: academically, emotionally and spiritually. As a result, Operation Back To School was designed to get get kids back to school with the right tools for the job. Which was a great success.
But there is still more to be done and I am looking into a few models of how to begin an adopt a school project in our community. I have already been in discussion with educators and individuals who have eyes to see the vision for schools.
As a result- This morning I received a call from a local school councilor of a school we have visited in that past and he is asking for help.
with the following:
+ Male Volunteers for Boys
+Gang Prevention Presentations
+Mentors for students
+ Fitness and Extra curricular activities outside the local school.
+ Character Development Resources
So, I will begin a quest to adopt and live out the following principles that I borrowed from some friends in NY and begin to invite others on this journey.
Expect a call.
“Much of how we view our public schools comes out of a negative lens. We see them as our enemies and not as potential partners. The fact is, our kids spend at least thirty hours a week in schools as appose to six hours a week in our churches (if we’re lucky). Schools can become a place of discipleship for our kids if we are willing to take the time and engage the schools and its vision.”
1- Pray for a redefined view of our schools. Much of how we view our public schools comes out of a negative lens. We see them as our enemies and not as potential partners. The fact is, our kids spend at least thirty hours a week in schools as appose to six hours a week in our churches (if we’re lucky). Schools can become a place of discipleship for our kids if we are willing to take the time and engage the schools and its vision. I believe our prayer should be “God open my eyes to see our schools as a missionary field in which I can sow seeds of love and mercy rather then division and contention.”
2- Pray for those who are in schools (principles, teachers, faculty, students, etc.) Many of our congregants work in schools as principles, administrators, teachers, staff, and some are even students. What would happen if they were empowered to view themselves as ministers rather than just being there because it was a job? Or because, by law, they had to attend? I believe we would see a different school system.
3- Pray that churches would engage schools for the purpose of holistic change. For some this might be a challenging due to fact most Christians believe in order to preach we MUST speak. I believe before any church would be given the right to share the gospel we must earn the right through our service to the schools. This is Luke 10:1-12 paints a wonderful picture of how a believer earns the right to share “The kingdom of God is near…” This is what we would call building a “Resume of Trust”. If we can begin to affect our schools through our service rather then our protest we would have gained much ground in reaching the kids whom we are called to serve.
