Check out our latest e-newsletter! (December 2011) 

Click here to view the October Newsletter.

Eric Cooper, founder and president of the National Urban Alliance for Effective Education: "Arts education enables those children from a financially challenged background to have a more level playing field with children who have had those enrichment experiences."

When Lori Triplett of Imago Dei approached USC staff about starting a Youth Arts Initiative at the USC, we couldn't have been more pleased.  The twenty-one students in the Life Enrichment program are now learning to act, improvise, create, and explore the world around them--and they're having a blast doing it!  Many thanks to Lori and the dedicated volunteer staff who are making this program a reality.

As I rinsed out my bowl and set it on the drying rack, I heard a soft splash and saw that a washrag had been returned to the sink.  I turned around and saw that all the tables had been cleaned, and Maria* was quietly returning to join her classmates as they recited their Bible verse in Life Enrichment.  

Wait. Maria?

Maria is the one who always acts up, struggles to obey instructions, and challenges our volunteer mentors' ability to remain calm.

Maria?

Yes, the same Maria who can't seem to sit still for more than two minutes has a servant's heart.  Through her involvement in The Urban Scholastic Center's Life Enrichment program this semester, Maria has begun to blossom in ways that we could have never foreseen.   Her defensive attitude has become more open and receptive, and through the kindness and grace shown to her by staff and mentors, her sweet spirit is beginning to shine.

It's not that her troubles are all behind her; Maria still struggles to interact positively with her classmates and doesn't always respond well to authority.  However, we continue to see God working in her life, and we draw encouragement from the small signs that show she is turning a corner in her life.

How are you helping others "turn a corner" in their lives?  Would you like to know how you can teach students in urban Kansas City, KS to follow Jesus?  Email  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  for more information.

*name changed to protect privacy

This past Sunday, in The Urban Scholastic Center's partner church (Servant Community Church), a first grade student came up to Pastor Chuck after the service and handed him a piece of paper.  Here it is:

Not bad for first grade!

We're excited to see youth of all ages learn about the Gospel and begin to live it out.