“Firm Foundation”
Christ is my firm foundation, the rock on which I stand.
When everything around me is shaken, I've never been more glad.
Cody Carnes “Firm Foundation (He Won’t)
When I was young, I lived in a single parent home. It was my mom, twin sisters, and me. That’s a lot of girls.
To help balance it out, my mom enrolled me in the Big Brother program so that I would have some male influence in my life.
First, there was Shawn. He was a great mentor and friend. He studied chemistry at Hope College, and as college students do, he ultimately moved away.
Then, there was Chris. Chris also studied chemistry at Hope College and even knew Shawn, which was cool! What was different about Chris is that he ultimately laid roots in West Michigan. This meant, our time would ultimately go beyond the limitations of our organized Big Brother program. In fact, we still talk today!
I bring this journey up because it was Chris who started me on my faith journey. He was plugged into church, got me involved in my first youth group experience, introduced me to Christian music, and more. He helped build a good foundation that others to come would be able to continue building on, which I’m convinced, ultimately led me to where I am today.
I am confident that had it not been for Chris, I would be very unlikely to be where I am today in my faith journey OR even at Joy99. So, I’m grateful for his faithful investment in that frustrated and confused teenage me.
I bring this up because I have recently been reflecting on a partnership that Joy99 formed with Kids Hope USA, a mentorship program that brings together churches and organizations with local schools for one-on-one mentorships with students for one hour, once a week.
Couple of fun facts:
Kids Hope USA is a nation-wide program, but originated in West Michigan!
Amanda worked at Kids Hope USA before she came to Joy99, which has us all wondering if God was working all that together just for this partnership.
In any case, a couple of weeks ago, our Joy99/Kids Hope team wrapped up the school year with our students and since then, I’ve been reflecting on my mentoring time with my student and the mentors I experienced when I was younger.
Joy99/Kids Hope USA Team: Jeremy, Joe, Barb, Susie. (Amanda is also a team member, but with a different school.)
Here’s a stand out story from my Kids Hope student. His teacher came up to me privately to share that one day, my student was acting like he was talking on the radio. She asked what he was doing, and he said, “I’m like Mr. Jeremy and I’m talking to the ‘Big Man’ upstairs!”
We aren’t able to openly have conversations of faith, so I’m not exactly sure where he came up with this, but it was humorous and I’m grateful that he’s picking up on some of who I am.
I don’t know what my time mentoring my student will become, but I know one thing…it won’t be nothing! I just need to remain faithful and consistent in my investment to show up and be present like Shawn and Chris did for me, and let God handle take it from there.
Here’s some good news, there’s a spot for YOU too! I encourage you to check with your church to see if they have a Kids Hope USA program. If they don’t, start one! It’s a HUGE way for churches, organizations, and ministries to go beyond the talk and encouragement to “do something” and put actual hands, feet, and heart to do it!
Oh! And, if you already mentor through Kids Hope USA or some other similar program, on behalf of the Joy99 team, “THANK YOU!” We love making a difference in the community right alongside you!
~Jeremy