by Stan Parker
LANSING, MI – At the end of every summer, children in our local community are beginning their race toward educational success… a full mile away from the starting line.
When a family is living paycheck to paycheck, children learn to make do with what they have - even if that means returning to school without the supplies they need. It’s not just about paper, pens, or backpacks - it’s about giving the gift of opportunity in school, and life, that many children will not receive otherwise.
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Seeking to serve the needs of the whole person - mind, body and spirit, our "Back to School Bash" took place on September 11th, 2021. The aim of this event was to provide these children with just that. It was a resounding success!
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Faith Fellowship joined forces with the Eastside Community Action Center, and the Ladies of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority in a community outreach with a mobile clinic and food. We also distributed backpacks that we had purchased and filled with school supplies.
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It was a great example of everybody working together to help serve the community (1 Corinthians 12:12-27), and proof that a grass-roots initiative has the power to transform lives by reaching and uplifting the most vulnerable.
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We were able to help ease the burden for so many local families by showing the love of Jesus Christ. We provided some spiritual tracts with an invitation to connect with Jesus Christ.
A total of 75 backpacks to students from 9 different public schools, and even the community college. To some it may seem just a backpack, but we know that real social change happens when we go outside our own walls and equip tomorrow's leaders with what they need to succeed for mind, body and Spirit
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dr Stan Parker, Pastor of Faith Fellowship Baptist Church Lansing, current President of the Michigan African American Fellowship, and married to Charlotte.
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