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Guests encouraged by testimonies at SCORE Lunch

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First Priority held its SCORE (Students Count On Real Examples) Benefit Lunch on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2019, 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 almost 30 years because of faithful people like you.
Nearly 90 guests in attendance were blessed to hear from Caleb Neverson and Brooke Dunham who shared testimonies of how First Priority has impacted their lives. Caleb, a recent graduate from Wenonah High School, faced multiple challenges from the passing of his biological father to lacking enough high school credits to graduate. He wanted to give up and drop out of school but then he remembered First Priority from when he was in middle school. He helped develop a First Priority club at Wenonah High School last year, attended Student Leadership University, graduated from high school and now attends college while working for the Birmingham City Council. Caleb said, “I took the road less traveled and because of First Priority, I learned to look up even when looking down was an option.” We’re proud of Caleb for his many accomplishments and thankful God allowed First Priority to be there for Caleb to turn to.
Brooke was a First Priority student leader at Oak Mountain Middle School and High School and is now a teacher sponsor at Chelsea Park Elementary School. Brooke shared about suffering and gave a few examples of children with unfortunate situations that have come through while she’s been a teacher. “Many of the children that come to First Priority don’t go to church,” said Brooke. She believes in First Priority and has witnessed many positive outcomes because of the impact it has made. Brooke concluded with reading Matthew 5:13-16 and said that First Priority is fulfilling this calling. We would like to thank Caleb and Brooke for opening their hearts and sharing how First Priority has positively impacted their own lives and many others as well.
Following Caleb and Brooke, First Priority Campus Coach Dominic Kendall briefly shared that he has witnessed 110 Gospel conversations through First Priority just this year. We also heard from Jacque Snow who said when he was younger, he didn’t attend church but was invited to First Priority and gave his life to Christ. He is now a student pastor. Wow, God is good! We hear stories just like these every day!
Guests then received the pleasure of hearing from our special guest speakers, Sherri and Rick Burgess. “Change is constant,” said Sherri. “It can be fun but scary and painful.” She shared that in a world full of change – depression, social media, sexism, racism, global warming, etc., the Lord keeps her steady and is her one constant. “The radical change this world needs is Jesus. We all long for peace and it can only be found in Jesus. You give people Jesus then you give them hope. You give them peace, purpose, meaning, a firm foundation, you give them life. That’s why we need organizations like First Priority. Not everyone has a mother who can teach them these things, but everyone has a Father who can. He is the peace we all long for.”
On Jan. 19, 2008, Sherri and Rick’s youngest son, Bronner, drowned in their family’s backyard swimming pool. Sherri said she questioned why God takes children. She realized God has many lost children. He was and continues to use Sherri, Rick and their children to bring some back to Him. She said she can live with knowing her son is in Heaven.
Rick concluded by talking about faith and the importance of living by example. “Faith is action,” said Rick. “We have been afforded grace but do we live by faith? The world is trying to turn kids away from the truth, but First Priority works to turn kids to the truth.”
We would like to thank Sherri and Rick for opening their hearts and encouraging the group. Click here to support the Bronner Burgess Ministry fund by purchasing Sherri’s book.
We would like to give a special thanks again to Caleb Neverson and Brooke Dunham for sharing incredible testimonies of how God is changing lives through First Priority. Thank you to our sponsors and all those who helped make this event a huge success!
 

Support First Priority Public School Campus Ministry and Hear Sherri Burgess!

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We would like to invite you to our SCORE (Students Count On Real Examples) Benefit Lunch on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2019, at 11:30 a.m. at Vulcan Park and Museum, 1701 Valley View Drive, Birmingham, AL 35209. Our special guest speaker is Sherri Burgess.

Sherri Burgess is a Christian writer, speaker, and Bible teacher. Her story is one of hope and stands as an example of the joy we can all have in Christ even in the aftermath of the most tumultuous of storms. Hers came on Jan. 19, 2008, when she found her youngest son, Bronner, drowned in their family’s backyard swimming pool. They had just returned home from visiting friends and family and were getting settled back in for the night when he wandered outside alone. He was only two years old. She and her husband, Rick Burgess, of the “Rick and Bubba Show,” wanted to know, “Why does God allow such calamity, such heartbreak, such sadness in our world?” God answered them. It took five years of mourning, Bible study, prayer, and writing, but Sherri was ready to reveal all she learned about suffering in those quiet moments alone with God. Her book, Bronner: A Journey to Understand, was released in January 2016. Its message is this: that life is to be lived for God, not self, and that this world is soil for testing and fire for refinement readying the Christian for a forever with God. We hope you will join us and come hear Sherri as she shares her story.
If you would like to help reach students with the Hope of Christ on nearly 200 campuses by supporting First Priority’s campus ministry efforts across Central Alabama, then please consider sponsoring a table at our Benefit Lunch. Please find sponsorship levels HERE. If you are unable to sponsor a table but would still like to help, a tax-deductible donation to First Priority in any amount is much appreciated. With your help, we can reach this generation. We invite you to take part and encourage your support of this vital outreach. Thank you for your consideration!

Guests encouraged by testimonies, fun and laughter at SCORE Lunch

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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!

Beth Nimmo's word of encouragement at our SCORE Benefit Lunch

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Beth Nimmo shared her heart at our SCORE Lunch 

 

First Priority held its SCORE (Students Count On Real Examples) Benefit Lunch on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2016, at The Club. 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 over the past 25 years because of faithful people like you.
Nearly 160 guests and volunteers joined us for a great time of encouragement and fellowship. Everyone enjoyed a delicious lunch and an amazing and inspiring message by Author and Special Guest Speaker Beth Nimmo. Beth is the mother of Rachel Scott, the first person murdered during the Columbine massacre on April 20, 1999. There wasn’t a dry eye in the room during Beth’s message. Beth shared personally about her daughter’s life. She talked about Rachel’s journal entries and how God protected her story so that no one would interrupt what He was doing. She shared that Rachel prayed for one friend who would unite with her, and talked about the importance of First Priority and how it unites students together to be strong in their faith and share Christ with others. Beth talked about this world and how bad everything is today. She stressed the importance of being there for our children. “We need to do our part and be there for this generation,” said Beth. “Our children need us desperately. We are their safe place.” In closing Beth said, “She’s gone, but we’re here. We have a mission. I’m asking that we do our part. It’s essential we’re here for our children.”
You can learn more about Rachel and how her life has touched millions by
CLICKING HERE. We appreciate Beth for opening up and sharing Rachel’s story personally as we can’t even begin to imagine how hard it must be.
We continue to work to raise up a generation of students who will choose to make Jesus Christ their First Priority, and who will not be ashamed to share Him with their peers. For years, church leaders have heard the claim that nearly nine out of 10 Christians accept Jesus as their savior before the age of 18. If that statistic was accurate in the past, it no longer depicts U.S. society. Now Barna says that, “If Jesus is not already part of their lives by the time they leave junior high school, the chance of them accepting Him as their Lord and savior is very slim (6% to be exact).” That is why we unite the body of Christ with a plan of action to influence the school with the Gospel.
If you weren’t able to attend the Lunch but would still like to support our SCORE Campaign, please mail your gift to: PO Box 59365, Birmingham, AL 35259, or you can make an online donation by CLICKING HERE. We hope you will help us continue to reach this generation with the hope of Christ. CLICK HERE to view pictures from the Lunch.

We would like to give a special thanks again to our speaker Beth Nimmo, and to all those who helped make this event a huge success.

You're invited to meet Rachel Scott's Mother, Beth Nimmo!

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You’re invited to come meet Beth!

 
I hope you had a chance to go see the new inspiring movie, “I’m Not Ashamed” this past weekend! If you didn’t, I encourage you to take your high school student to see it. The movie is based on the true story of Rachel Scott, the first person shot and killed during the Columbine massacre on April 20, 1999. Rachel’s life has touched millions of people for nearly two decades. I am excited to inform you that Rachel’s mother, Beth Nimmo, is coming to Birmingham. I would like to invite you to come meet Beth and hear from her first-hand.


Beth will be the speaker at First Priority’s SCORE (Students Count On Real Examples) Benefit Lunch that will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2016, at 11:30 a.m. at The Club, One Robert S. Smith Drive, Birmingham, Ala. 35209. As you know, First Priority is a non-profit campus ministry that connects the church to the school campus to share Christ with students. I would like to invite you to partner with this great ministry. Not only will you be hearing from Rachel’s mother, but you will be helping to reach students with the hope of Christ all over Greater Birmingham.

I would be honored if you would be a SCORE Partner and join me at the lunch by making a generous donation of $100 to First Priority. Will you come take part in our Lunch and sit with me at a table? Do you know others who would like to attend? Please help me fill a table of 8 at $100 per seat. Please help me think of others who would like to support First Priority and attend our Benefit Lunch. I truly appreciate your time and consideration. It is because of faithful people like you that First Priority is able to touch the lives of students all over Greater Birmingham. 
I hope you will take a moment to learn more about this great sponsorship opportunity, our speaker Beth Nimmo, and the new film “I’m Not Ashamed,” which is based on the true story of Rachel Scott that hit movie theaters this past weekend. Join us for our SCORE Lunch and meet Rachel’s mother. CLICK HERE for more details.
Please don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions you may have. Thank you again for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you!
Thank you,
Greg Davis 
President 
First Priority Greater Birmingham

"I'm Not Ashamed" movie hits theaters THIS Friday!

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Take your students to see “I’m Not Ashamed”

 

On April 20, 1999, at Columbine High School, two teenage boys entered their school with guns and homemade bombs planning to kill hundreds of their classmates. They would murder 12 students and one teacher before turning their guns on themselves. The first student that died that day was Rachel Joy Scott. She was eating lunch in the courtyard outside when she was shot. The killers knew Rachel. They were in classes together. Rachel had shared her faith in Jesus with them. Moments before her death, they mocked her, “Do you still believe in your God?” With a gun at her head she replied, “You know that I do.”
“I’m Not Ashamed” is Rachel’s story from her own words. Drawn directly from her writings, we discover the hope in this tragedy. We find the story of a student who showed radical compassion to the hurting and unnoticed. It’s the true story of a girl who was not ashamed to share her love for Jesus to those around her, even to her killers.
“An older generation needs to be reminded and a new generation needs to be told. We cannot be ashamed to speak the name of Jesus.”
“I’m Not Ashamed” will hit movie theaters this Friday, Oct. 21, 2016. We would like to encourage you and your church to take your students to watch the powerful and inspiring true story of Rachel Scott. Click here to find a movie theater near you that will be showing the film.
October is “I am Hope” month and First Priority’s HOPE Guide for middle and high school students is based on the “I’m Not Ashamed” movie and encourages students to Live it & Speak it based from Joshua 1:1-9. God reminds us through the life of Joshua that in moments of growth in our lives, we must not only do as He has commanded us –Live it, but we must also have His word on our tongue, ready to share – Speak it. Verse 9 says, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Students are encouraged to be bold and unashamed to share their faith.
First Priority will be holding our SCORE (Students Count On Real Examples) Benefit Lunch on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2016, at 11:30 a.m. at The Club, One Robert S. Smith Drive, Birmingham, Ala. 35209. Our special guest speaker is Author and Speaker Beth Nimmo, the mother of Rachel Scott. If you are interested in attending our Benefit Lunch, please click here for ticket information.
We hope you’ll make plans now to take your students this Friday, October 21, to watch the inspiring true story of a girl who was not ashamed to speak the name of Jesus.