Kingdom Breakthru Sighting!

Yesterday afternoon Amy Kring, Jo (Blacketor) and I had the chance to meet with the superintendent of public schools for South Bend, James Kapsa, Al Large, Mary Chris Adams and Madison School principal, Mrs. Buysee. We have been dreaming and praying how we better equip the Monroe Circle kids that participate in the after-school program. How do we help them become some of the "best and brightest" in their school? How do we use our time to not only build essential and meaningful relationships with these kids but how do we help remediate and then excel their learning abilities?

So, I got to sit back and watch Amy passionately share what her team is doing and the impact they are having on the lives of these kids at Monroe Circle. You can hear in her voice - you can see it in her actions. I watch as Mr. Kapsa listens and smiles.

Then, it is his turn and here is what is says. "What you are doing here is remarkable and we want to do whatever we can to be a part of it! We want to bring Compass Learning to the kids at Monroe Circle." (Price tag = $15,000 to $20,000, our cost = 0, value = priceless).

Then, Principal Buysee jumps in. "We want to bring our LEAP program (after-school remediation) to MC3. I think we can also find two to three teachers that will not only work with these kids but train your volunteers." (Price tag = $7500 to $10,000, our cost = 0). "I can identify the kids that participate at MC3 - they are more engaged, attentive and respectful when they come to school - why wouldn't we want to be a part of that!"

I truly believe almost everyone is attracted to what God's Kingdom brings. They may be a government official, a school administrator or a principal. Just like the Hindu business man that wants to donate property in Kalavai because he can see with his own eyes the change, people want to be a part of God's "goodness and greatness." I think it is our job as followers of Jesus is to attempt to identify where that might be and bring our friends to the party.

Let's get this party started!