Schools and Courtrooms

One of the primary ways Kristen and I  (and everyone on the launch team) hope to reach Gainesville as we plant a church is to serve the schools in our community. We have identified two schools where we are trying to invest our time, including an elementary school on the west side and a K-12 school on the east side of our target area. Beginning in February, Ryan Harding and I (and possibly other people on our launch team) will begin helping twice per week with an after-school tutoring program at the school on the west side. Last night Ryan and I attended a student advisory committee (SAC) meeting at the school on the east side and met the principal and the guidance counselor. They have invited us to tour their school during this coming week and we hope to start spending time in classrooms soon. Approximately 97% of the students at the east side school are in the free/reduced lunch program. Praise God that things are beginning to happen at local schools!

Please keep my family in your prayers this week. On Thursday I will spend time in court with my mom at a pre-trial hearing for the teenager who is accused of hitting and killing my dad. This is the first time either one of us will see this teenager, so this will inevitably be a very difficult time.

Please pray:
- That the launch team would serve faithfully at both the west side and east side schools and find ways to bless these schools for the long haul.
- That the launch team would find favor in the eyes of school administrators so that we can continue to love and serve these schools in substantial ways. These are also schools where we might consider trying to meet for Sunday services in the future.
- For my mom (in particular), me, and the rest of my family as we deal with the emotional and practical implications of Thursday's pre-trial hearing.