The Backbone

In the mid 1990’s our church adopted CrestView Elementary School in Brooklyn Park. What began as a homework helper ministry has become an important part of our Community Outreach program.

Our involvement with Crest View begins before students return in August when our maintenance staff and dozens of volunteers clean and reassemble the classrooms. It continues throughout the year with Welcome Back luncheons, Teacher Conference dinners, reading contest awards, Valentines Day cards and candy, Carnival and Track and Field Day activities, school supplies drive, Thanksgiving Baskets of Blessing and a Christmas Toystore.

Last spring we received a financial grant from the United States Golf Association to fund a Crestview Junior Golf program. Several LWCC amateur golfers and a professional volunteered to teach 5th and 6th grade students the fundamentals of golf.

These outreach activities create hundreds of lay worker ministry opportunities. Doors of opportunity open to model God’s love. More than financial and logistical assistance, we are looked upon as a source of emotional support to the staff. They call Living Word their backbone.

Cuts in state aid to our school districts coupled with the economic downturn is causing under resourced school districts to tighten their belts. A failed budget referendum in a nearby school district has forced the closure of three schools. These circumstances create an opportunity for churches to positively impact their communities by partnering to support public schools.

Your mission field is right down the street. Consider visiting the school in your community and tell them you want to become their backbone.