Two years ago, because it was simply challenging to get older high school youth to stay in touch with their churches, The Rev. Alan Akridge, Rector of St. Mark's Brunswick, said, "I knew where most of them were every day during the school year so I just asked Andrew Lyons what he liked to eat and told him to recruit the rest of our crew and some friends and I'd bring lunch to the parking lot"

Andrew reported that seniors could go off campus and get pretty much anything they wanted for lunch, "But Chic Fil A is too far to get there and back in time." He asked, "Could you bring us chicken?" And from this request, a ministry was started. Akridge began loading his pick up with drinks and nuggets and headed to the parking lot at school. By the end of the school year, over a hundred kids were "stampeding" to the parking lot every Monday and Tuesday. "It got so big, the principal had to shut us down" said Akridge. "But we didn't give up and neither did the school. I spoke with the youth leader and pastor of the 1st United Methodist Church across the street from us and we both agreed that we we shared a border with the High School and they had a great open and unused space where we could host a lunch for students. Later that summer the principal of Glynn Academy allowed kids (who were members of the downtown church youth groups and had their parent's permission), to walk off campus one day each week to eat with their youth leaders. The rest, they say, was history.

Careful to insure food and school regulations are being observed and that the safety of the kids is paramount, the two churches entered into partnership with Zaxby's and recently achieved a milestone in ministry: on March 4 St. Mark's Episcopal Church and 1st United Methodist Brunswick fed 209 kids without charging them a nickel. These kids ate 819 Zaxby's chicken strips and untold amounts of chips, sodas, and water.

"We tell the kids that each meal, 3 strips, a bag of chips, and a soda, costs us $3 but they can pay whatever they like. Up to an including "Nothing". NO ONE GOES HUNGRY IF WE HAVE FOOD." said Shanon Lewis, 1st United Methodist Youth Pastor. "Zaxby's and the local supermarkets make it possible because they really see it as a ministry too. We could not do it without them and the help of Hollington Vending (who have provided bags of chips FREE of charge)"

"We don't preach at them and we never turn kids away. When they ask why we are doing it, we just tell them we love them and they are worth it." Said Akridge "While the numbers and ministry is astounding, what it even more miraculous is what it costs, " said Akridge "Bear in mind that we never turn away a kid who has no money, we don't charge them for food, and we don't track who pays us and who does not.

 

The Rev. Jeff Jackson, rector of St. Nicholas Episcopal Church in Hamilton, Georgia, will speak on engaging children worship, including Sunday worship and family devotions. Father Jeff is the father of four children, and has done children and youth ministry for almost 20 years. The day will include workshops led by dynamic church leaders in our convocation. 

 

 

Workshops include: 

 

Becoming Disciples Through Prayer (for children of all ages) 
Misty L. Graham, Director of Christian Education at St. Thomas', Savannah 

Kids Say the Darndest Things: Preaching To & With Children
The Rev. Jeff Jackson, Rector of St. Nicholas', Hamilton

Teach them well: When Sunday School no longer works
The Rev. Canon Frank Logue

The Bible isn't boring and Hymns rock:
Teaching Children to Worship Deeply through Scripture and Song
The Rev. Helen White, Vicar of All Saints, Tybee Island