Middle School “Ministry in Motion” Makes an Impact
“You don’t have to be in a class to serve the community and help people in need,” says seventh grader Alyssa Donaldson. But a whole bunch of Life Christian Academy middle schoolers are sure glad they had the chance!
Last fall “Ministry in Motion” was added to the list of middle school elective courses open to students in grades 6-8. The objective: find needs and meet them in Jesus’ name.
Covering the Basics
The first-semester class supported the monthly dinners that Life Center South hosts for homeless and needy. The students worked at a Tacoma conference to raise money to purchase and fill 65 toiletry bags with basic supplies. They also attended the dinners where they played with kids, folded donated clothing, handed out toiletry bags, and served food.
“All these people were so happy to just have something to eat,” said sixth grader Kortney Burton. “I realized I need to be more thankful, especially for little things.”
Holding Small Hands & Warming Healing Bodies
Second semester students helped and played with young kids in elementary classrooms and MOPS and SHE childcare programs, and made half a dozen blankets to give away. So far blankets have been given to Katie Collier, a Seattle Christian senior diagnosed with cancer last fall; Brent Beard, an LCA parent recovering from a severe work injury; three LCA parents battling cancer; and LCA high school principal Bobb Absten, also battling cancer.
[Need an excuse to satisfy a doughnut craving? The students raise the money for blanket materials and future ministry by selling doughnuts on Friday mornings.]
“The class gave us the chance to grow our relationship with Christ,” said Alyssa Donaldson. “Personally, I was touched when we made blankets for Katie Collier and Mr. Beard. It felt good knowing we were going to make them smile.”
Win-Win
“The class has been a huge blessing,” says instructor Tracy King. “The kids have worked so hard. It is wonderful to see them get outside their comfort zone, give their own time [even beyond the school day], and experience the joy of serving others. Parents, too, have helped get kids to and from the ministry activities—and have even served alongside the students. Even my own kids have shared the experience!”
Have an idea for next year’s Ministry in Motion class, or want to help? Contact Tracy King.
