As we have begun the month of November, we are diving into the depths of our mission statement regarding local churches and the support they give us. This part of the mission statement expresses that we are “working together with the local church and other like-minded partners to raise up lifelong followers of Jesus who lead with their godliness in lifestyle.”
Our focus this week is based out of East Washington Middle School, located in Pekin, Indiana, where Campus Life staff Elise Clift and two volunteers dedicate their time to helping build up students in the community with the love of Christ. This Campus Life site meets every Tuesday from 11:50 a.m. to 12:20 p.m. and each week averages around 100 students, both seventh and eighth graders, who choose to attend during their homeroom period.
Clift explained that she begins her day at Pekin by prepping for the students to enter the gym, where they will be given a treat, sit down, and listen to a small lesson regarding middle school related topics; however, the focus is pointed on Jesus for sole guidance and solution. She was actually a student of Eastern schools and shared how she believes God has used her in this space.
Clift said, “I see God using me in numerous ways. I am providing a safe outlet to these students. I am trying to make a difference in the community and schools by reaching lost kids. I am seeing God open the door for so many relationships and opportunities.”
Clift is not the only one who looks forward to being a leader for these students, as Pastor of First Baptist Church of Pekin and YFC volunteer Benjamin Brewer shared that he excitedly anticipates each Tuesday because of the bond with the students, as well as being a good role model that the students can look up to and realize that this is a safe space. He explained that he enjoys helping students realize that there is a time to be serious; however, Christ wants them to have fun, and love and laugh throughout the journey.
Brewer said, “It makes me really excited to get to do something with this age group of seventh and eighth grade. I remember it being a very complicated time for young people, so it’s nice to be able to put that best foot forward, so that they can see that.”
In addition, Pastor of Pekin Methodist Church and YFC volunteer Christopher White shared that he has learned many lessons through the experience of volunteering with YFC, but more specifically the beauty of surrendering to God’s will.
White said, “Learn to anticipate, but not expect. And that means you might have your own ideas about what you want to do, but God may end up having something totally different and will totally take you into another direction. Anticipate coming, being involved, don’t expect to know everything all at once.”
Overall, East Washington Middle School Campus Life has left many positive impressions on the volunteers that sacrifice their time and energy for students during the school day. Having programs like this that allow for other churches to become involved has proven to be rewarding.
“It’s opened my eyes to a lot of the little things in the world [that] you don’t normally see in a pastor’s office, and it shows that there is a real need, there is a real concern from middle school until college, [and] there’s usually a gap in there,” said White. “And so, if the church can step in and volunteer and bring this about, it will help close that gap, which will help build the church and the community up.”