Service projects help students put faith into action
"One of the criticisms of Christian schools is that they're cloistered, they're only protecting the children—that they're greenhouses. We see service projects as a way to change that opinion."
So says Bob Moore, principal of Guelph Community Christian School. At GCCS, students begin service projects in the earliest grade levels, collecting goods for toy drives with The Salvation Army and food drives for Lakeside Hope House, participating in ad hoc blood donations for SickKids, and sorting food and hygenic supplies at a local warehouse—just to name a few examples.
Moore says such initiatives help students put faith into action and answer the question, 'who is my neighbour?'
"Our service projects help students understand that their neighbour is the child sitting next to them, their leaders, the young mom, and the hungry person who will benefit from the food they sorted at the food warehouse," he says.
At Redeemer Christian High School in Ottawa, Ontario, students are encouraged to take initiative in organizing service projects for the community. Last fall, Redeemer's student council decided to work with Ottawa Innercity Ministries on a "Winter Survival Kits" initiative, in which the school collected backpacks and filled them with food and winter clothing for the homeless. Redeemer students also participate in World Vision's 30-Hour Famine each year and organize food drives in the fall.
"In Christian schools it's paramount that our students understand they are Christ's representatives, and acts of service are an integral part of what it means to be a Christian," says Marie Cooper, promotion coordinator at Redeemer. "Most kids really do want to help out. They're often looking for ways to serve."
Community efforts
At Beautiful Saviour Lutheran School in Winnipeg, Manitoba, the whole school community—students, teachers and parents—participates in acts of service. Close to home, students are encouraged to visit seniors regularly and help fill food hampers at Christmas. One year, the school's violin students took part in the Keeping Abreast fundraiser at St. Vital Centre. Recognized as a Wee Care school, the students also donate kits to Canadian Lutheran World Relief, sponsor a child through Compassion Canada, and fill shoeboxes for Samaritan's Purse.
"This school is a ministry of the church, and the students are using their gifts to make a difference—gifts of time, money and talent," says Leslie Kolmel, the school's admissions coordinator. "They're learning that there are different ways you can give and make an impact."
Linden Christian School is another Winnipeg school that offers students many opportunities to participate in both local and global service projects. High school students can volunteer to mentor and tutor other LCS students, spend time working with inner-city ministries, or take trips abroad. Recently, 18 students returned from a trip to Guatemala, where they worked alongside Impact Ministries on construction projects, spent time visiting hospitals and organized a vacation Bible school program.
"We want all of our students to become compassionate community members," says principal Robert Charach. "It's not about just a theory, it's about making a difference and showing the love of Christ to others."
In communities where the vulnerable are too often forgotten, the fact that these schools treat love and service as worthy subjects of study is a hopeful sign for the future.
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