I had the chance to listen live to David Chadwick (Senior Pastor, Forest Hill Church) talk about his recent interview with Charlotte Police Chief, Kerr Putney. In his final question, David asked the Police Chief: What can the church do to make Charlotte a better place to live? The Chief listed three items:
“We need three things,” the Chief said:
- Volunteers to hold babies
- Volunteers to read to kids
- Mentors for kids, Especially male mentors
In that moment, I wanted to say, “David, there is this group of guys that are already doing this!” #F3Nation. In that moment, I was especially proud to be one of the PAX! My mind went to the good work the PAX are doing with the Children’s Attention Home and The Paradise Reading Center (and more!).
My opportunity to be the change I want to see was with serving the underserved community of Paradise. My first time volunteering I was excited to see, how may kids showed up to this after school program for help with reading and homework. And also, how fun, energetic and smart they are (My first reading partner was Kelvin, a six year, who was easily a better reader than me when I was six. He didn’t laugh too hard when he had to correct me with the correct pronunciation of, “Galileo”)!
I also had the chance to watch CoPay give his story. What a story! And more importantly T-Claps for this HIM for showing our youth, if you can see it, you can be it! I simply followed Copay’s (and Deacon’s!) lead and made it known to them I wanted to share my story too.
Deacon sent me an outline with suggestions of what I should cover during my 10 minute talk (1. My personal background, 2. What I wanted to be when I was a kid, 3. My job, 4. School experience, 5. Advice I wanted to share with them) and I was ready.
I was pumped to share my story with the hope that if just one kid could #seeitbeit, then it was well worth the 60 minutes I spent with the kids that day.
NMM:
F3 has made me physically stronger, put more PAX in my life that have given me great community, and have helped me to have a better walk with Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior. To give a little back to this community that has given me so much was a true pleasure.
Thank you to the PAX for all being HIMs in your own individual ways.
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The Reading Center takes place every Monday and Wednesday from 4PM-5PM at Bethlehem Baptist Church 601 Joe Louis St. Fort Mill,SC 29715. The kids are doing homework and reading and we have the opportunity to assist or listen. This is a great opportunity for us to mentor and encourage beyond the workout. Looking to get a schedule with 4-8 PAX each session starting 1/8/17 and going throughout the school year.
See link to sign up. https://docs.google.com/document/d/11ak80g7L12X6hCDN1_h5cSUemDlqWzBdgMyJII1RHy4
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#CoopStrong