I saw water coming out from under the threshold of the temple

[church]. I saw a great number of trees on each side of the river

their leaves will not wither, nor will their fruit fail. Every month they
will bear fruit because the water of the sanctuary flows to them.
Their fruit will serve for food and their leaves for healing.
(Ezekiel 47)
Water Under the Door
Over the last five years, in answer to prayer, there has been a
significant increase in the number of churches partnering with the public
schools in the Houston area. Loving Houston is an organization whose sole
[soul] purpose is to help churches serve and partner with public schools in the
Houston area. Loving Houston Director, Marilyn Lee, estimates that
approximately 200 Houston area churches are currently partnering with the
public schools in some way. (See lovinghouston.net for more information.)
Kids Hope USA is another organization helping to foster positive church and school relationships. Kids Hope USA
helps churches provide mentors for at risk students in the public schools. They provide the training, guidelines, and oversite
for this program. (See kidshopeusa.org for more information.)
One of the seven pillars of CEAI Houston is ENCOURAGEMENT and this year CEAI Houston distributed several
Under the Door awards to thank, encourage and show appreciation for local churches that are providing outstanding
community service in the public schools.
Calvary Episcopal Church in Richmond, Texas was one recipient of this award because of its providing a
neighborhood school: 1) 15+ mentors for at-risk students, 2) 15+ committed intercessors privately praying for the school,
3) financial help to purchase a summer reading program for below grade level readers, 4) an adopt a family Christmas gift
program for impoverished students, 5) 300+ Thanksgiving meals to the students and parents of impoverished families, and
5) pastoral visits to the faculty Encouragement group at the school.
First Baptist Church of Rosenberg, Texas was another church selected as a recipient of the Under the Door award for
its community service in the mission field of public education. First Church initiated a Beyond Our Walls movement to
identify underserved groups in the community and then assessed how the church could meet this populations needs. They
identified public educators as one of those underserved groups and began an outreach to staff members at an academically
underperforming school that served low income students. The churchs community outreach minister contacted the school
principal and inquired how the church could serve the school. With an emphasis on relationships and prayer, First Baptist
has been serving in public schools now for over five years.
First Baptist members provide the following services to the staff at two elementary schools: 1) a breakfast is held at
the church during one of the first in-service days at the beginning of the school year, 2) 60+ volunteer church members
privately pray for specific teachers and write them several encouraging notes per year, 3) birthday cakes and blessings are
shared at monthly faculty meetings, 4) monthly pastoral visits are made to strengthen personal relationships with the
administrators and staff, 5) several meals are served during Teacher Appreciation Week and 6) pastoral visits are made to
the CEAI faculty Encouragement groups at both schools.
There is a necessary wall of separation between church and state in our nation yet there are doors in this wall that
honor federal guidelines as well as the Biblical mandate to love one another, our neighbors, and the least of them. May God
use you and His church to help become the frame of one of these doors in your community.

Prayer: Jesus, thank you for churches going beyond their own walls to partner with and serve students, parents and staff
members in Your schools through service and prayer.
Reflection: Is a church partnering with the school where you work? Is the church you regularly attend partnering with a
school? Are you being called to encourage or participate in such a partnership in some way?
Getting Real: Research lovinghouston.net and kidshopeusa.org. Encourage and help support a church school partnership.

CLASSROOM LIGHTHOUSE SERIES: Love Ladders Love Matters (For info or prayer contact ceaihouston@sbcglobal.net.) WEEK 23