Bendigo school ministry
by Benjamin Cronshaw
Bendigo Baptist Church Eaglehawk campus, led by Pastor Brock Gravener, professes a “MAD COW” vision, which is an acronym for “make a difference, change our world.”
With the local primary school Eaglehawk Primary School just across the street, the church saw an opportunity serve the community and make a difference by helping the students. The church started school engagement around 18 months ago and has since forged a strong relationship with the school. As Brock said, “If we are serious about what Jesus says, we, as a church, simply ‘have’ to be in the school loving and serving them.”
In the mornings before school the church runs a MAD COW breakfast, with food provided by local supermarkets and the wider Food Bank network. The selection includes toast, porridge, cereal, milo and fruit. The breakfast caters for around 35-40 kids a day and reaches some 60% of the school’s students. Interestingly, Jesus himself once said to his disciples “come and have breakfast” (John 21:12). Having a proper breakfast in the morning is, of course, incredibly important for students of any age and imperative for learning.
The program has had a noticeable and positive impact on the school culture. With breakfast provided, kids are getting to school early, they start positively and have a greater capacity to focus and engage in their learning. Student attendance increased, meaning more children are present to learn. With the students more engaged and positive, the school has achieved better educational results and has earned more funding from the government. Recognising the benefit the “MAD COW” program was having at the school, IGA donated a $1500 supermarket grant.
Bendigo Baptist Church Eaglehawk helps out the school in a variety of other ways as well. Young adults from the church volunteer to play sports with the kids. Some volunteer as classroom assistants helping with reading and learning support. Sometimes a struggling student needs only the dedication of someone willing to help them learn in order to improve and thrive (I can attest to this having struggled with reading in Grade 1, but became an avid reader with the help of a reading assistant). The school even calls on church volunteers to help with maintenance assistance.
Overall, the volunteer presence has had a very positive impact on the students. Brock noted, “It has been an absolute joy to observe how our loving volunteer team engage with the students and teachers in such a caring and gentle way. The joy and loving approach of our team has meant that students have softened and come out of their shell because they have felt safe and cared for.” One boy was “predominantly angry, abrupt and self centred” but over a few months became “a friend and a peer that people love to be around.”
The church has also run a family fun day at the school with free food, a jumping castle and face painting. The event was well received with a lot of kids and their families going along.
Brock was given a place on the school council, demonstrating the trust and appreciation that the school has for the church and enabling him to “speak into the future direction of the school.”
He noted that the churches involvement is “so much more than just feeding students.” The church members have forged close relationships with teachers, parents and students. The students have a space where they can feel safe and loved. Ultimately, there is better learning and a strengthened community. I believe it is fair to say that Bendigo Baptist church is truly living out their motto and the message of Jesus, making a difference and changing our world.
Source: BUV News