"Your Future - Your Choice"

I wanted to take a minute and share what is going on with Russell at the school. We are thrilled about the upcoming opportunities and wanted you to be praying for him.

It's been over a month since we have heard anything more from Ocean Park Baptist Church, but, in that time frame, God has been doing amazing things at the school. First of all, the Principal pulled him aside a few weeks ago and assured him that he would have a job next year. That within itself is very exciting because of all the budget cuts here in Clay County. One of his fellow teachers, who Russ kind of mentored when he began teaching, will not have his contract renewed next year. So we are very thankful that he will simply have a job. Secondly, they are moving him from Language Arts to History. Anyone who knows Russ will understand how exciting that is for him! He LOVES history!

He will also have another Peer Counseling class. Russ loves this class. He says it's the closest he can get to having a youth group without being in the church. In the last three years, Russ has created and developed this class and has begun a SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) Group. He trains the Peer Counseling students and then takes these presentations to the local Elementary Schools. Teaching the kids about making wise choices concerning drugs, smoking, peer pressure, etc.

Finally, he will have another free hour in the day in which to work with and counsel troubled students who have been in detention, ISS and OSS (School Suspension), students who are bullying or have been bullied, students who have been in fights, etc. He will be working closely with the Assistant Principal who handles all of the disciplinary action at the school. What an exciting opportunity!

Last, but not least - the Principal has given him permission to hold an Assembly for the entire school (700 students) next Friday. It is sponsored by his SADD group and is titled "Your Future, Your Choice." He has been working hard at putting together a 50 minute program on the choices you make and the consequences of those choices. What an incredible opportunity to speak into the lives of these 700 7th and 8th graders! Although he cannot speak specifically about the Lord, I can only imagine that this will make an impact on these students and make Russell approachable.

Please pray with us that all will go well. That the Lord will give him just the right words that these kids need to hear. That the students will be receptive to what he has to say and that lives will be affected. Pray that this will open doors for relationships and other opportunities to share Christ. Although Russell's deepest desire is to preach, we know that God still has him at Wilkinson Jr. High for a very specific reason and we are watching exciting opportunities - opportunities which we have been praying for - fall into place.

We'll keep you informed......