Students Count On Real Examples Benefit Lunch Encourages and Refreshes Guests
First Priority held its SCORE (Students Count On Real Examples) Benefit Lunch on Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2018, at Vulcan Park & Museum. We would like to thank all those who attended and helped support this special event financially. The ministry of First Priority has been able to touch the lives of hundreds of thousands of students for more than 25 years because of faithful people like you.
Nearly 80 guests who were in attendance were blessed to hear several testimonies from local First Priority campus coaches. Ms. Eunice Pickens, campus coach for Bessemer City Middle and High Schools for the past 26 years, shared about how she first became involved with First Priority. “I prayed for something tangible,” Eunice said. “The academic ratings were in the red, violence was prevalent and teen pregnancies were high. God answered my prayer and conquered all of these concerns. Academics have improved significantly, there has been no violence for 26 years, and teen pregnancy is at an all-time low.” Eunice also shared about an 11thgrade student who has a tough home life that told her, “First Priority is my church.” Lastly, Eunice shared about a young student whose mother had been very sick so she had to help take care of her siblings. The student learned in First Priority to pray healing over her mother and God healed her!
Guests then heard from Mr. Jacob Patton, former First Priority student. Jacob said he is evidence of First Priority being fruitful. First Priority Area Director James Cato helped Jacob become a follower of Jesus. “When I was in school, a lot of students would come to First Priority but not attend church,” said Jacob. I see the results of First Priority. It’s effective and helped shape who I am. It’s the reason I’m a follower of Jesus.”
Our final ministry update was shared by Ms. Uawanna Day who has been involved with First Priority since her daughter was in school 20 years ago. She has helped at McAdory High School and Bessemer City Middle and High Schools. She currently serves as campus coach at Abrams Elementary School. Uawanna shared that the FPKids club just began on September 4, and three students have already professed Christ, and approximately 45 students attend each week. “Students are excited to witness to others,” Uawanna said. “God is so good!”
We would like to thank these amazing campus coaches who opened their hearts and shared just a few of the many incredible things God has done over the years through First Priority.
Guests then received the pleasure of hearing from our special guest speaker, “The Swan,” Dr. Dennis Swanberg. Famous for his loveable impersonations of some of America’s best-known characters and his side-splitting stories of growing up, families, and the funny side of church, Dr. Swanberg encouraged guests through fun and laughter. Dr. Swanberg shared how much he enjoys being a refresher to others as well as being refreshed. Reading 2 Timothy 1:16, Dr. Swanberg mentioned that Timothy was a refresher to Paul. He visited Paul, encouraged and refreshed him. “Sometimes we just need to communicate with people, send them an encouraging note,” said Dr. Swanberg. “Be an influence in someone’s life, it’s huge; and show up, be there for others.”
We would like to thank Dr. Swanberg for encouraging and refreshing us all! You can learn more about Dr. Swanberg by clicking here.
We would like to give a special thanks again to Ms. Eunice Pickens, Mr. Jacob Patton and Ms. Uawanna Day for sharing incredible testimonies of how God is changing lives through First Priority in the schools they serve, and to our special guest speaker, Dr. Dennis Swanberg, for encouraging and refreshing us through fun and laughter. Thank you to all those who helped make this event a huge success!