Ministry Stories: Academy 4
June 10, 2022
The sounds of young voices echo in the halls of Alice D. Contreras Middle School. The bright Texas sunlight shines through the cafeteria windows calling the students to summer break on this final day of Academy 4. There is an energy that fills the room as mentors take their instruction from Rev. Jessica Vacketta as she enthusiastically explains the day’s activity. The students are seen peaking around the corners of the entrance eagerly waiting for their teacher to release them to meet with their Academy 4 mentor. It is difficult to tell whose eyes light up more, the students or the mentors, when they are reunited. The promise of one-on-one time with a caring adult who believes in them and their abilities has been something they have looked forward to every month this past year.
“A fulfilling experience”, “The joy is what I will be taking away from this experience”, “If I had someone believing in me at that age it would have been a real confidence booster.” – The testimonials from the mentors I interviewed from UCC were full of gratitude and love. I take a moment from my camera to pause and look around, taking in Christ’s love which is strikingly present. I can’t help but be emotionally overwhelmed with joy to bare witness to this day and to these beautiful connections happening all around me.
Click here to learn more about Academy 4.
