Journey Towards Becoming Missional: Power Puff Lunch

Before entering into ministry, I was an education major and had a desire to graduate with my teaching degree however, God called me out of education and into ministry. When this happened, I still knew that I had a desire and passion to work with students and today, I was taken back to Interview and Discernment Days (IDD) in Oklahoma City when I ended up telling my interviewers that I would want to work with students in some capacity. Today, that request was answered but was it what I expected and saw myself doing? Was it something that I was truly ready for?

Today, I went to Roosevelt High School and observed the power lunch program that the Dallas Leadership Foundation helps with so, I was in a high school and working with students (before being called out of education, I was supposed to be working in the high school and with students). God had a plan all along however; this was an entirely new experience and somewhat of a culture shock to me. I attended a high school where there was no need for medal detectors, police officers walking the halls, monitoring, etc. However, all of this and more was apart of Roosevelt High School. This is an urban school and I have no experience with urban school or living. So, again, was I ready for this and was it what I was expecting and saw myself doing?

I would say that I was not completely ready for what was ahead of me with the school and it was not what I was expecting or saw myself doing. I entered into the school with no experience of urban schools and issues that the students face every day. I was not expecting to see girls pregnant and thinking nothing of it, I was not ready to be the minority.

As a past education major, even with not being ready, I thank God for the education classes I had and the passion He gave me for students. My heart did ache for the students and it was a lot to take in for someone that has no experience with what goes on in urban areas and what the students face.

I never had to worry about truancy, I never had to worry about being handcuffed and taken to jail, I never skipped class or left school early, I never had to worry about drugs, and the list goes on. The school was a completely new environment for me and it gave me a better appreciation for teachers that teach in urban schools and for those that are in urban schools trying to mentor and reach the students before it’s too late.

This may be almost entirely new to me but I trust God with what He has planned and will trust Him on why He placed me where I am. I pray for the students, the faculty, and volunteers in these schools and ask God for strength, courage, and hope.