With Grateful Hearts: Pastor Appreciation Lunch Highlights

By Cheryl Crawford, Administrator

We recently celebrated our pastors at our first of the year Agape lunch. It was a heartwarming occasion filled with delicious homemade food, inspiring speeches, and meaningful connections where many of the students had the opportunity to eat lunch with their own pastors. 

One of the highlights of the event was a fantastic Dessert Challenge presented by our guest speaker, Pastor Kevin McBride, who spoke about God’s calling. He encouraged us to be open to the idea that our paths may change. For example, you might start out wanting to be an astronaut, then explore a passion for theater, but ultimately find yourself becoming a pastor because God has other plans for you. This perspective prompts us to reflect on our own journeys and to remain open to the possibilities that we are exactly where God wants us to be.

In addition to Pastor McBride’s insights, a standout moment came from our Entrepreneurial class, where students, Audrey and Mackenzie, proudly shared their mission statement for their new crochet business. They even showcased some of their handmade items for sale, demonstrating the creativity and initiative that thrives in our school.

We also took a moment to celebrate one of our own, Susan Sicard, who recently returned after contributing three days to an accreditation team for NEASC at another 

Christian school.

Following that, Coach Doug took the stage to discuss the importance of soccer in developing Christ-like character. His words remind us of the valuable life lessons sports can teach us, both on and off the field.

As the event continued, the Sentinel of the Week was announced with congratulations to Jessica for her excellent work on her Humanities Faire research essay! 

We also heard about the success of the One Day of Giving campaign, which will fund a new-to-us van for our community in the near future! 

Most importantly, we gathered to show appreciation for our pastors, who received a gift as a token of our gratitude. Their presence was a true blessing to our school. Here’s to our pastors and the incredible impact they have on our lives!

To learn more about our school and tour our unique campus by attending a Taste & Tour Agape Lunch, please visit our website: https://www.jrhs.org/agape-lunch