A Trip to the Bank and a Super Thursday

While there are many reasons to smile when reflecting on this week, two experiences stand out as paramount.  The first was our visit to Wells Fargo and the other, our official beginning of Super Thursdays.

On Tuesday we all loaded up in cars and made our way to the bank where several interns were able to open their first ever bank accounts.  Ms. Millicent Lavine was kind enough to explain the differences between a bank and a quick cash store, the importance of budgeting and keeping track of your own finances, and how to save money.  She also shared what it is like to work at a bank and what it would take for a student to become a bank teller.  These were all valuable lessons and it was neat to see their faces as they absorbed all the new information.  It was such an encouragement to hear interns who had been planning to spend all of their money on a new outfit suddenly have a desire to save their hard-earned dollars.

Praise the Lord for a successful Super Thursday kick-off and the 26 elementary students who came to participate.  For those of you scratching your head and wondering, “Didn’t Super Thursday start last week?” the answer is YES!  However, last week was more of a fun day to get the kids excited while the program, complete with Bible studies, dramas, worship, games, crafts, and more, officially began yesterday.  The interns did an incredible job of engaging their young neighbors and teaching them about Jesus.  These future leaders of West Dallas showed their commitment to service as they died to themselves[1] and their own desires in order to make children feel welcome and safe.

Please pray that the Lord would continue to teach the interns about servant-leadership as they grow closer to the One who allowed himself to be the slave to all[2].  Join us in praying that each and every intern would have an encounter with God this summer that creates in them a desire to leave everything behind for the sake of following Jesus[3].  Praise God for all of the amazing opportunities He has brought to the intern program and for the way the Spirit is already transforming lives.  Praise Him for all of the work He is going to do in the hearts of His people this summer!

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.  – Philippians 1:6

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[1] Luke 9:23

[2] Mark 10:43-45; Philippians 2:5-8

[3] Luke 5:11

Week 2 – The Fast Facts:

 

Theme: The Gospel

Speakers:

-       Richard Triggs

-       Jerry Wagner

-       Jill Beard

-       Johnny Fusilier

-       Rachel Kramer

-       Jill Harmeyer

Office Spaces Cleared for Cleaning/Remodeling: 9+

Bike Mileage: 50+

Week 2 was another wonderful week as we learned about the Gospel and how to share this Good News with others.  We also finally got to begin working with some of the elementary-schoolers who come to Mercy Street.  This began on Monday with the kids coming for reading camp.  We read stories with the children, played games, and even had the opportunity to go to the pool and teach some kids how to swim!  On Thursday, we kicked off our “Super Thursday!” program.  Every week, 5^th-graders and younger are invited to join us as we dig into the Gospel of Mark through Bible studies, free food, and lots of fun!  The interns did a wonderful job starting these special Thursdays off with a game day.  Check out some pictures of everyone playing dodgeball and enjoying board games under the beautiful shady trees:

What an incredible week we have had kicking off Mercy Street’s new Summer Leadership Institute.  With 12 junior interns, four senior interns, and a handful of dedicated students coming to learn and serve, it’s safe to say I couldn’t be more excited about the summer.

Some highlights from week 1:

-          Mrs. Jackie Pugh from New Life Bible Fellowship coming to talk to us about ministry with excellence

-          A bike tour of West Dallas as we rode around the community promoting our Super Thursdays elementary program and talking with people in the neighborhoods

-          Miss Jill leading a devotional on spiritual disciplines

-          Getting passes to the Y and the boys hoopin’ it up

-          VBS on Tuesday night at Oak Cliff Bible fellowship where we heard a powerful message about waiting on the Lord and surrendering everything to Him.  And the worship music was off the chain!

-          Serving at Edison Middle School as they prepare to install air conditioning in the offices and renovate parts of the building

-          An abundance of food, fellowship and fun!

God has been so good to us as we begin this summer.  I am in awe of His provision in making this program happen and in gathering about 15 students unto Himself who are committed to learning more about Jesus and what it looks like to walk in relationship with Him.  After one of the busiest weeks I’ve had in a while, I am only moved to praise God for His grace, faithfulness, and abundant love.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever!  Amen.   - Ephesians 3:20-21

- Rachel Kramer, Sr. Intern 2012

Introducing the 2012 Mercy Street Summer Interns

Left to right: Antonio Carey, Laura Alcantar,
Quincy Giddings, Marquez  Carey, Raymond Williams, Jacquella White,
Oscar Gonzales, Archesia Thomas, Tamara Williams, Christine Moton

We couldn't be more thrilled about the emerging young leaders the Lord has led us to invest heavily in this summer at Mercy Street! The students will be poured into through daily devotions, classroom time with renown speakers, mentoring relationships with staff members, and meals shared in the homes of believers in West Dallas. The interns will also be investing in the lives of younger kids as they plan and run Super Thursdays for elementary kids from 12-2 each week throughout the summer. Stay tuned for exciting updates about this gifted group of interns! 

Applications are officially up on our website for our summer internship program! We will be accepting 8-10 high school students, along with 4-6 college/seminary students, to come serve with us at Mercy Street for 10 weeks this summer. It will be an intense discipleship program coupled with an educational experience on how to do urban ministry.

You will not want to miss this exciting opportunity, so check out our website and turn in your applications ASAP!

Spring Break Road Trip

Back row: Adrienne, Kaylene, Tamara,
Demarcus, Julie, Raymond, Jerry, Temirea
Front row: Charis, Talia, Nessia

We were given the opportunity to take 5 student leaders on a spring break road trip to Montgomery, Alabama, where Common Ground Ministries graciously offered to host us. So Julie and Jerry, along with Jerry's wife and three precious little girls, packed into a 15 passenger van and drove 13 hours straight to Montgomery, where a week of service, Bible study, and good conversation over long meals ensued.

Our students were superstars throughout the entire trip: they sought out opportunities to pour into the children in Common Ground's after school program, they had joyful spirits when they cleaned and painted, and they remained grateful even when us leaders served them the same leftovers for two or three meals in a row! It's becoming evident that we've got some godly leaders emerging from within the community here in West Dallas.

We also got the opportunity to visit several of the Civil Rights Museums during our time in Montgomery, including the Martin Luther King and Rosa Parks Museums. Our kids were struck by the impact of these leaders at such a young age (King was only 26!). It was a blessing to unpack all the complex emotions that resulted from this, as we spent at least an hour around the table talking after each meal.  Our kids were profoundly inspired by the opportunities available to them now -- opportunities that were bought at a high price by those who have gone before them.

As we returned to West Dallas and processed the trip with one another, the students continually mentioned the fact that the people of Montgomery took it upon themselves to transform their neighborhood. They decided as a community that they didn't want the crack-heads and prostitutes running through their streets, and the crime rates are rapidly decreasing as a result. Our kids returned feeling empowered to BE the change they wish to see here in West Dallas, which is a testament to the Spirit working deep within these young leaders' hearts!

Bringing the Word

In case you haven't heard: Jerry Wagner is preaching the GOSPEL every Tuesday night to our high school students at Mercy Street. Jerry completed his M.A. at Dallas Theological Seminary in May, and joined our staff as the Boys' High School Mentor Coordinator in August. If you happened to stumble into Mercy Street on a given Tuesday night, you would see Hebrew phrases scribbled on the whiteboard; hear Jerry preaching the the Word of God, unapologetically;  and you would see 40-50 pairs of eyes locked in as the students digested the words of life communicated so passionately. It's a beautiful sight to take in.

I used to assume most high school students weren't mature enough to crave dense sermons about the cost of following Jesus, but I've been proven wrong. Our students are ready to learn the meat and potatoes of our faith; they're asking the hard questions and hungry for substantial answers.

If you're an adult who's interested in checking us out, feel free to join us any Tuesday evening at 6:30. We might ask you to grab a spoon and help us dish up some food, but you're sure to be blessed in the process. We would also love for you to bring students along with you so they might begin to feast on the words of life shared week in and week out.