Hey Everyone – I need some help. For the past year I’ve been leading a Prayer Group at Oakland Elementary School, the elementary school across the street from our church. It has been one of the best ministry opportunities and experiences I’ve ever had. Every Tuesday morning I arrive at Oakland a little before 7AM to set up and make coffee in the Media Center. We meet at 7:15AM – 15 minutes before the Teachers have to be in their class. We read a passage of scripture, take prayer requests, and then pray. Our church provides coffee, juice, and hot Krispy Kreme doughnuts (the “hot now” sign has you under it’s spell). Immediately after we pray, I walk around the school, pass out the remaining doughnuts to the teachers and staff, and tell them to have a great day.

For just a minute I talk with the Teachers about their day, their class, their families, and their lives. I’m usually back at my office around 8AM. I then give their prayer requests to Prisca Denton, our Prayer Team leader, who emails their requests to her team. Many of the Teachers attend a church. Some do not. All of them are wonderful people who love teaching and their students. I look forward to speaking with each of them every week. I simply hope that as a result of our presence and influence it has been a positive testimony, not only for our church, but for Christ. And if any of the Teachers or students ever had a need, they would know where to turn.

Probably 20 different teachers have been to our little group over the past year, with about a dozen regularly attending. Each Teacher talks about how much they look forward to Tuesdays. For those in our group, it has been the best day of their week. For those who simply receive a doughnut and a word of encouragement, they talk about how much they look forward to Tuesdays as well. This past Tuesday I brought a cart from our church, loaded it with coffee, juice, and doughnuts (I even had “assorted” doughnuts) and wheeled it around the school. I also passed out a little gift to all the teachers. We gave them the little book, “Five Star Families” that we gave away on Mother’s Day at our church. You would have thought they had won the lottery. Teachers are so grateful for any little expression of love.

This coming Tuesday is our last group meeting of the year. I have to admit that there are some days that 5:45AM comes a little early and the thought of not having to get up that early is very appealing. But truthfully, I will miss this group over the summer. Here’s where you come in. I’ve been praying about something special to do for the Teachers and those in my group. Any ideas? If you have a suggestion or idea, please leave a comment. As we say here at Coastal, no idea is a bad idea.