The school buses have officially come out of hiding, but before they did, World Changers Church International hosted the beloved Back 2 School Event on July 29th. This back to school outreach was created because education is a priority at WCCI, as strengthening members of our community includes providing for them as Jesus instructed. “Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow” (Isaiah 1:17, NIV). The beginning of the school year can be stress-inducing for a variety of reasons, which makes attending this event a staple for numerous families within the local community. After all, preparation for academic success does not start in the classroom! WCCI knows that a great deal happens behind the scenes before the “show” begins for students, parents, and even teachers.

            The Back 2 School Event is our Atlanta outreach program that is consistently multi-faceted, seeking to provide student care in multiple ways. Besides offering free backpacks and school supplies, the Children’s Ministry organized haircuts and health screenings at no cost. This not only lessened a financial responsibility for parents and guardians, but also offered children the confidence necessary to start school off right!

            Inventor and scientist George Washington Carver once stated, “Education is the key to unlock a golden door of freedom.” To help ensure this freedom, WCCI informed parents and guardians about free tutoring through WCCI’s education program and other resources for student advancement. During the event, one of the tutors set up an area for chess! This was meant to display to curious adults and children how learning to play chess could enhance student learning.

            The importance of this event cannot simply be attributed to the free services and supplies. The 2023 Back 2 School Event has been able to help literal generations of family members. Jessica, an attendee and mother, revealed that she had been brought to the Back 2 School Event when she was a young girl, and this year, she brought her daughter and son. “What I enjoy the most about the Back 2 School event is the community, the welcomeness,” Jessica stated.

             This is not by accident, as Pastor Carr of the Children Ministry notes. The event was specifically designed for parents and children to not only feel welcome, but to be able to bond with other members of their community! If you attended the event, you would have seen students with balloon hats speed-walking after each other in the open space, competing in the dance competition, or taking huge bites of fluffy cotton candy. Adults and children alike could be spotted not only receiving relevant information or supplies but simply having fun. It is no wonder why some mothers drove more than an hour to attend!

             WCCI offered medicine for the physical body and the spirit at the event as well. In addition to the wellness checks, families could be strengthened with prayer. We believe that this event is not only able to give help in the natural or even simply prayer for adults; the Back 2 School Event plants a seed of God’s love within a child’s life. In addition to having fun, receiving supplies and confidence, students are given a display of Christ’s life and commandment (“Love your neighbor as yourself” [Matthew 22:39, NIV]). WCCI also delivered free school supplies for teachers on August 4^th.

              The children are our future, and World Changers Church International is honored to be able to bless students and their families as the school year begins. This generation of students has already been presented with unique challenges such as artificial intelligence impacting the classroom and the Covid-19 pandemic challenging the traditional style of learning. As a result, WCCI will continue to host this event and looks forward to 2024. In the words of Ben, father of two, “If you need prayer and fun, come on in.”

To see more of our Back 2 School outreach, click below to watch the recap video!

 Note: Last names omitted to protect interviewee privacy.