On this day of ministry, Tyrone and I entered a school in the Aldine Independent School District. We passed through a metal detector and were ushered into the principal’s office. Principal Ross was glad to see us, and shared to meet him in the library where the staff meeting would occur. As we strolled through the halls, teachers and administrators welcomed us with smiles and were encouraged to see us again at the beginning of the school year. Walking through the library doors, we were greeted by the counselor, who shared her child was attending a local seminary. After pleasantries, the principal walked into the large room and introduced Tyrone and me. We reiterated our mission to empower, equip and enrich lives creating a tapestry of resilience and potential through the power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
After our presentation, we prayed for the school staff and their upcoming school year. Principal Ross stood before his team and endorsed our involvement at the institution, and we gave everyone QR codes as an anonymous way to send us their prayer requests. Heading toward the library exit doors, teachers engaged us with comments and requests. One was given permission to create an after-school Bible study and desired our expertise. Another teacher had a special request. She asked for Tyrone and me to talk with a preteen in her custody that was on the second floor in her classroom. She desired for him to see positive male role models because of his difficult upbringing. I asked for the boy’s name and proceeded immediately upstairs with Tyrone.
When I identified the teacher’s room number, I peered inside through the vertical glass door window. Initially scanning the space, I didn’t see anyone because it was so dark. The only light coming from an oversized flatscreen in front of the room. At second glance, light emitted from the tv cast a faint glow that outlined a boy’s silhouette in the dark. I opened the door and turned on the light. Tyrone and I expressed that a concerned teacher suggested we talk with him, which allowed him to let down his guard. We introduced ourselves and built rapport with the preteen. After hearing about his difficult family history, I proceeded to share the gospel to him. Explaining how he was created in the image of God and that God loves him. He intimated he made a prayer in the past, but felt he was still guilty and not worthy of heaven. As the young boy heard more about God’s grace tears rolled down his face. Tyrone and I prayed for him and gave him a QR code for future prayer requests. Before we left the room, I asked if he wanted the light off, he said it was fine to leave the light on. Please pray for our year as we enter communities and empower those that are underserved to become Great Commission communities.
Sincerely,
Leon Best
Best Times 