Mentoring the next generation

Recently, a group of third-grade Anderson students were having lunch with their lunch buddies, and the third-graders began a discussion about lunch buddies. Each of the five third graders had very common descriptions of his or her lunch buddy including that the lunch buddy was nice. They also each affirmed that they look forward to having lunch with their lunch buddy weekly and sharing their experiences from the prior week. Each child expressed their feelings differently, but it was clear that each child placed great value on the relationship with their lunch buddy.

This mentoring program is one facet of First Church’s outreach mission to the Anderson Elementary community. First Church’s outreach mission has grown and morphed over the years. This mission started very small, and with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, has now impacted hundreds of lives and continues to grow.

Brief history of First Church’s school mission

First Church’s current school mission had its genesis about 12 years ago when a group of church members began a mentoring program at Emerson Elementary. First Church patterned its program on First Methodist’s highly successful outreach to Eugene Fields Elementary. We started with three mentors going to Emerson to have lunch with a designated student.

This mentoring program grew over the years. At one point, First Church had approximately 80 mentors having lunch at Emerson. First Church also added monthly community nights to this mission grilling hot dogs and playing Bingo with families in the school neighborhood.

Approximately six years ago, First Church started the highly successful Masterwork Academy. Tulsa Public Schools decided that Emerson was not a good fit for the program and First Church elected to partner with Anderson Elementary for Masterwork Academy.

Emerson Elementary went through numerous changes during First Church’s outreach mission. Emerson entirely reworked the school and changed to a Montessori curriculum. The change in curriculum changed the demographics drastically at the school.

As a result of the changes at Emerson Elementary, First Church’s school missions team decided that First Church could have a greater impact at Anderson Elementary. This allowed both of our school outreaches to be coordinated. The combination of these missions created strong relationships and combined our activities to do the most good. We currently have a wonderful relationship with the staff at Anderson and the Anderson families.

Importance of mentoring

God repeatedly stressed the importance of adults in children’s lives throughout the Bible. Children occupied a special place in Jesus’ heart, and he often reached out to include children. This Biblical guidance is absolutely true, and the impacts of our faithfulness cannot be denied.

At-risk children are particularly benefited by having a faithful mentor. The available data proves a child’s future can be greatly positively impacted by having a mentor. 

Not only does following God’s commands help the children, but the mentors also benefit. Mentors have a higher sense of self-worth and better feelings about themselves. The mentors also build relationships that become part of the fabric of their lives.

Mentoring also shows the parents, teachers and staff at the school that we care about them. Teachers and staff have very difficult jobs and are woefully under-resourced. Seeing mentors at the school each week conveys our love to them and shows them we are willing to assist them with their very difficult calling.

One story illustrates the impact of mentoring. One of our mentors had consistently mentored a wonderful child but was wondering if the mentoring was having any impact. The student was an average student and a very shy and quiet kid. About two years into the relationship, the mentor noticed the child’s name on the Principal’s Honor Roll for receiving straight A’s. The mentor was overjoyed and congratulated the child on the great accomplishment. The child looked right into the mentor’s eyes and said, “I didn’t want to have to tell you I got a B.”

Obviously, this student’s reserved nature masked his feelings for his mentor and the relationship was critical to the student. The hyperbolic comment from the child made the mentor feel great. The parents and teachers appreciated the academic progress of the student. Obeying God improved the lives of each of these people.

First Church’s current mentoring program

First Church is now in its second year partnering with Anderson Elementary in its mentoring program. We have approximately 30 mentors meeting weekly with students at Anderson. These mentors eat lunch with the students each week. These sessions also include reading, games or other social activities. The mentoring time is organized around the students’ lunch and recess period. This allows the mentors approximately 45 minutes per visit with the student.

The mentoring program has also allowed First Church to expand our relationship with First Baptist Church North Tulsa. Our churches have a long history of partnering on mission endeavors. First Baptist Church North Tulsa is a crucial partner in our mentoring program and a wonderful ministry partner for First Church.

We have also continued our community nights at Anderson Elementary. We invite the school and the surrounding neighbors to join us once a month for a hot dog cookout and bingo games. Community nights provide an opportunity to meet parents and other members of the neighborhood. They are also a great way for other First Church members to participate when they are unable to commit to being a part of the mentoring program.

The deacons also host Celebrate Christmas Together each Christmas season at the school including a Christmas party where each student is given a gift bag with a sweatshirt, game, book, Bible and socks. The Anderson students love the party and greatly appreciate the deacons’ efforts.

First Church also assists with various other aspects at Anderson. We regularly provide meals for the teachers and supplies for the classrooms. We provide some uniforms for the children and have assisted with scholarships for Anderson children to attend summer camp at Camp Loughridge.

The mentoring program also sponsors the fundraising and recruiting events each year at the church with a ping pong tournament in the summer and a chili cookoff in the winter. These are fun events that raise awareness of our Anderson ministries, as well as raise valuable money to assist the mission.

Masterwork Academy

Masterwork Academy celebrated five years of ministry on July 27, 2022. In June, Dr. Malcolm McGuire joined the team, taking on the role of principal. His experience in educational leadership and the arts, combined with his deeply rooted faith, make him a perfect fit for this leadership role.

Enrollment for the 2022-2023 school year has been between 45-57 with an average daily attendance of 33 students. In the spring, we transitioned to a block schedule and added theater to our core set of artistic disciplines. Student groups now rotate through Masterwork Academy’s four disciplines (theater, music, dance and visual art) in two-week blocks. Students and teachers, alike, have enjoyed the change. The focus on a single art form for two weeks has enabled students to develop their technique as they pursue mastery. Students still have Bible class one day every week, dividing that time between Bible and faith and fitness.

Masterwork needs champions for our children! If you are available any afternoon between 3 p.m. - 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, we’d love to welcome you to the team. Email Laura Voth at lvoth@masterworkacademy.org or call 918-954-1103.

Encouragement to get involved

We have numerous ways for you to become involved at Anderson. If you are available in the afternoon, Masterwork always needs people to help with the children. If you can come to a lunch once a week, you can build a relationship with one of the wonderful Anderson students. Even going to a Community Night is a great opportunity to get to know the people in the Anderson community.

If you’d like to volunteer to be a lunch buddy, please contact Hannah Damron at hdamron@firstchurchtulsa.org or call 918-584-4701. If you need any additional information, please contact Cindy DeVore, Jimmy Inhofe, DD Blackman, Susan Huffman, Malcom McGuire or Jenette McEntire.

About the author: Tom Hillis is Pam’s husband, Erin’s and Kathryn’s dad, and Kate’s and James’ grandfather. He has been worshiping at First Church for over 10 years. He is a former deacon and elder of First Church.