Back to School is as easy as 1 2 3: 2023 Back to School Update
At the end of July, and through early August, we started our Back-to-School distribution with our church partners. The resources were mainly for educators rather than students, and the partners were free to use and distribute them as desired.
First Baptist Church Pinson held their Teachers Back 2 School event at the church where teachers could come and take the resources they needed. It was a mutual blessing, for the church and the 50 teachers that attended this event. There was a time of prayer for all the teachers who listed a request, as part of a door prize giveaway they held.
16th Street Baptist Church also held a Back-to-School event at Tuggle School. They served lunch to the teachers and allowed them to take whatever supplies they needed. They served 52 teachers, and the school has over 400 students.
Love Fellowship Christian Center held a Back-to-School event for the Minor schools. They distributed resources to teachers, staff, and custodians. They partner with the schools often providing prayer, mentoring, and gospel sharing. The teachers and staff at each school were excited and grateful to receive free supplies. Like many teachers, they often use their own funds to cover needs that arise, so this event alleviated the cost burden teachers feel when they dip into personal funds to help students. They served roughly 350 staff and students in their respective schools.
Urban Hope Development served the middle school in their area, giving resources to 40-60 teachers from the 6th, 7th, and 8th grades. They prayed with the teachers who were open to it.
Greater Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church invited Arrington School to their church to pray for the school year. They served about 60 educators and lifted up those who requested prayer.
The RESPECT organization held the 28th annual Birmingham and 2nd annual Jasper Back to School rally. Between the two rallies, they served 1,244 people! They gave away book bags filled with supplies and lunch boxes filled with snacks. Many received prayer and heard the gospel.
Arise held a School Supply Outreach to Grantswood Community School. It was a fantastic time where teachers received school supplies and prayer. They also prayed for the principals and continue to build relationships with various people at the school. They served a total of 30 educators. They saw the presence of God move during their times of prayer.
Rebirth had a Teacher Supply Day for Erwin Middle School and served 15-30 teachers.
Spirit of Luke held a Back to School and Medical Mission event. They also provided food to those in attendance. They served 85 families, shared the gospel, and provided prayer and Christian materials.
Greater New Beginning Apostolic Church held an event reaching over 200 people by providing school supplies, food, clothes, and a health screening. They also had a bounce house and a gaming truck for recreation and fellowship. They saw many people from the outreach attend their church in subsequent weeks!
Bethel Baptist Church had a Back-to-School Rally in their fellowship hall. They purchased 125 backpacks and filled them with supplies from CSM. They included info about their church in each backpack.