After being a resident for over 7 years, the number one thing I hear from city leadership is that there is nothing to do for our teens in this town.  Many within the city are missing out on something positive that is happening for adults, teens, and children in our town.  So, what is it?  Every Wednesday night in our community over 200 adults, teens, and children come together at Bridge of Faith Community church for Bible study and a meal.  This ministry is reaching way beyond our city and many on the outside see it, but we the residents must stop and acknowledge this positive influence in our community.  Here is an email we received today from outside the community…

The daughter of one of my co-workers is a teacher at Branson Elementary.    She just texted her mom to let me know that several of the kids in her class today can’t stop talking about church last night, especially how much they love the food. One little boy in her class that was her biggest problem child in the beginning of the year and who back in the fall was making several comments about not believing in God was even talking about Bridge of Faith today.

Good things are happening in our community that are worthy of us as a whole getting behind.  I would say we could pull public records and see since the time of Bridge of Faith Community Church coming to our community over 8 years ago, that there has been a direct correlation to vandalism decreasing in our city.  This is due in fact from their direct work with adults, teens, and children.

Not only is Bridge of Faith a positive place for teens to be on Wednesday night, many teens take their Thursday night to VOLUNTEER time at Bridge of Faith Community Thrift Store.  Youth Pastor Matt Manning had a desire to spend more time with teens than just twice a week, so he spends 4 hours teaching the teens how to sort, price, clean, and display items.  It is a positive environment and a great alternative place for teens to hang out.  I watch as the teens begin to build work skills and confidence that is preparing them to get and keep a job of their own one day.  If you have ever desired to start something positive in Rockaway for teens, then let me invite you to join what is happening.  As a community, we have many things to be proud of and these are just a few.  May we continue to rally behind each other and support what is happening in our community.