After 25 years in church ministry, McComb school superintendent Dr. Pat Cooper gave me the opportunity to minister to “the least of these” at Otken Elementary School as a behavioral counselor from 2002 to 2012.
The challenges were many — mostly rewarding, but some were sad. What I had in mind then as well as now, in light of current happenings, is this: Connect the schools and the churches in such a way as to speak to the behavioral issues of students and even violence. Here is a rough sketch of my idea:
• The schools have the records to identify students with behavioral issues. They can ask what church the family or a family member attends.
• Someone in the schools can contact the pastor, or a pastor of a church near the family. The pastor or a capable person from the church can then arrange contact with the student and family to discuss the problems. The schools and the church work together to help the student.
Hopefully someone could take these ideas, improve them and make them workable. We are not talking about hundreds of students.
I have a Gospel tract entitled “Father’s Love Letter.” It is from the American Tract Society. I give it to my Otken kids when I see them. It has numerous references to the way God shows His love to us. It has meaning every time I read it. It would be helpful to students in the schools.
One afternoon I went to the Boys and Girls Club. On the playground, I heard a voice: “Hey. Mr. Ed, come here.” I went over to one of my kindergarten boys on a see-saw. He said, “Mr. Ed, I need a hug. So I hugged him.
Do you think reading about God’s love would be meaningful to these kids? What about someone showing them God’s love?
The church has the answer to “stop the bleeding” and stop the general destruction of people’s lives. His name is Jesus, along with his word. In the devil’s hand lies destruction. That’s his purpose. And he is pleased.
The church needs to play a leading role in this battle. I believe it is worth the effort. Who is willing to make the effort?
Isaiah 6:8 says this: “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I. Send me!’ ”
— Ed Abel, McComb
