What will the new school year look like?  

As we take life day-by-day, it’s hard to say.

What we do know is that for some kids, a return for school is a time of embarrassment and anxiety because their families don’t have the resources to set them up for success.

I believe that we are called to actively engage with and meet the needs of those in our community. Lovers of Jesus like us preach the Gospel, and we do the Gospel.

I love what the Apostle John says, “let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth” (1 John 3:18). I’m proud of our family here at NCBC, for the ways we’ve brought that to life in years past by supplying supplies to teachers in Hiawatha. We’ll do that again this year, too.

But as we seek out ways to generously give and lovingly engage our neighbors, I’m excited to invite us all into an additional calling this year – building backpacks for 150 kids in the school district.

I feel like this is our very inheritance as Christ’s Bride here on earth: we were made to bring glory to God and to love our neighbor with boldness and dignity. Our friendship with the teachers and families there has lasted several years, and like all healthy things, this friendship is growing.

It is a gift from the Lord to have great schools in our area for the cultivating of young minds. However, back-to-school is not so sweet for every child in our area. It’s not just that some students come from families who are not able to financially support their academic endeavors, it’s that many also lack a safe and nurturing home environment in which they feel supported and loved. They need that, and we need an action to demonstrate the love and support that Jesus has for each of them.

This is where we have an exciting opportunity to step in and meet a very specific need. Our goal is to buy and fill 150 backpacks ($60-65) for young students at Hiawatha Elementary School by August 2. The full list of supplies can be found here. On top of simply packing the bags, an easy way to further communicate support and love from the church to struggling families in our area is to include a thoughtful note of encouragement with your gift. Maybe even a family photo!

What a privilege to be the hands and feet of our Father, to be the Church, to speak love and do love.

- Marissa Bushlack