Extraordinary Stories of Impact in the Metro
We love to celebrate when ordinary people make an extraordinary impact in the Metro!
Today's post was shared by Taylor Foster, youth pastor at Lifegate Church and a co-director of O,NE, a network of student ministry leaders committed to loving and leading young people across our city.
There is a very real crisis in our city.
Despite anyone’s individual feelings about Covid-19’s impact on health, wealth, or politics, our children and their families are facing an added crisis. As school buildings close and prepare for months of remote learning, many parents are left with the burden of helping their children find success in school while paying unaffordable daycare costs, or missing work. The level of stress for many is overwhelming and appears to be something that our nation will just have to power through.
This is where the church must step in.
Soon after OPS announced its plan to transition to remote learning, I was approached by Lifegate’s newest Associate pastor, Jeff Jackson, with a compelling idea.
Would it be possible to utilize our children’s ministry space, which sits vacant throughout the week, as a safe place for students to gather, receive a meal, and experience their virtual learning in a distraction-free environment? As Jeff shared this, I was reminded of a thought shared by pastor, Tim Keller, during this year's Q Conference. Keller said:
“My biggest concern during this time is for young people who are getting further behind in school. There is a chasm in our society that is growing. The kids who are already ahead are getting further ahead while the ones who are behind are getting further behind. This will continue unless the church steps into that chasm and does something about it.”
Instantly I thought of the O,NE and Within Reach networks. What if the bride of Christ stood up when her city needed her the most? What if churches throughout the city committed to becoming remote learning hubs led by children’s and youth pastors who minister to this demographic weekly?
What if our churches were no longer weekend gatherings, but weekly harbors?
As Christians, we have an incredible lineage of godly men and women who advanced the kingdom over the centuries. As they spread the gospel, they also established schools and hospitals to care for the physical needs of the people they sought to reach. In 2020 we don’t need to build schools, but we can build community, share WIFI, and provide food.
There are currently 52,000 OPS students of which 43% are on free and reduced meals. What if the church acted today like she always has by seeking to address these needs?
I'm excited to share that beginning Tuesday, September 1st, we will be opening our Midtown Campus every Tuesday and Thursday for students to remotely learn between the hours of 7:30-4:30. With the help of family-life pastors and volunteers, we will assist students in completing curriculum, given to them by their district, in a safe and secure environment.
We are praying that this move will inspire others in the city to do the same
During a season when our city needs us more than ever, let us be the church. “God our city is hurting; please heal it and use us as aloe, even if we are already spread thin. Let us live for your glory, not our comfort. We can’t help every student/family, but we can help some.”
What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." ~James 2:14-17
*For more information about how to establish a hub for students in your local church, contact Taylor at tfoster@discoverlifegate.com.