Amber is not your typical youth group mom. She had recently gotten involved with the youth group at her church as her oldest son was entering into middle school. As Amber’s involvement grew, she began to notice that her son’s influence for the Gospel was playing a far greater role on his school campus then it was at the church.
When her son began to take advantage of that influence, Amber began looking for a way to plug in there as well. This was a significant decision by Amber and her son because their school was labeled “one of the most high risk schools” in the state of Florida. Her son helped launch a First Priority club at their school in his 7th grade year. Amber chose to plug in as the club’s “campus coach” and began finding herself at the school a lot. At first, the club was small with 15 kids attending; however as his classmates began to take note, the club’s size and influence began to grow. By the end of their first school year, the club was seeing 60 students attend each month. Many of those attendees had made first time decisions for Christ at the club or a secondary event sponsored by one of the churches who had students involved in that club. They were then being plugged back into the local churches for discipleship.
One of those decisions was made by a young man named Aaron. Aaron was a 16-year-old student, in his third year of 8th grade when Amber first met him. Amber got to know Aaron at the school and trust built between Aaron and the students in the club. Amber learned about Aaron’s background and how the current administration viewed Aaron’s schooling future; it was not bright. The administration has had so many students like Aaron, coming from very broken homes, often with parents who do not have the skills to engage their teenage kids. Aaron had also been told by a judge that this school year was his last shot. If he did not stay out of legal trouble, he would end up in jail, forced to get his GED. Aaron’s lack of hope intersected with Amber’s hope in Christ for Aaron and a lot began to change. Amber began to rally individuals for tutoring and mentoring from the local churches in the area. It began to make a difference in Aaron’s grades.
In December, Aaron made the choice to attend church for the first time. He was invited by one of the First Priority students to participate in a youth group Christmas event. Though Aaron was nervous, as the event ended, he did something that neither he nor Amber expected. There was an offer to accept Christ’s gift of salvation, and Aaron accepted it. It was a huge moment.
As the school year continued on, Amber kept up with Aaron and his grades. And as the year was winding down, the club had their last meeting together. One of the students came running in late to the club. “You have to see Aaron’s grades, you’re not going to believe this.” Aaron however refused to show anyone. Amber finally convinced Aaron to show her his report card. To her amazement, this third year, 8th grade student, had gotten straight “A’s”. Amber asked Aaron why he was so nervous. He explained that where he lived, in the neighborhood, if they found out, it could cause him trouble that he was excelling. Though middle class mom Amber could not relate, her trust built with Aaron caused her to trust deeply. They agreed that they would celebrate him quietly and not make a fuss.
Amber, however, went home and made a huge fuss over the Lord. God has been so faithful to allow her son’s influence at his school and her partnership with that to bring the Hope of Christ to the lost, broken, and hurting. Amber is still involved with her three kids’ schools and is seeing the Gospel bring influence on a daily basis.
