Indiana Academy launches a new program called “Project 58.”
This program is based on Isaiah chapter 58, in which God demonstrates to His people the kind of fast He has chosen – a fast that involves service to other through lifting burdens, feeding the hungry, and clothing the naked. Isaiah 58:8 then talks about how our lights will shine, our healing shall spring forth speedily, our righteousness will go before us, and the glory of the Lord will be our rear guard.
The book Christian Service (page 64) says the following: “It is necessary to their complete education that students be given time to do missionary work – time to become acquainted with the spiritual needs of the families in the community around them.”
The plans for this outreach ministry to our local community will involve approximately eight Tuesday afternoons throughout the school year. Students will choose from a variety of options, called Outreach Pods. IA students and faculty members will work together in outreach, which will provide a wonderful opportunity to build relationships outside the classroom.
Our Outreach Pods include the following:
Baking Bread: Homemade loaves of bread are attractively packaged (including brochures designed to introduce IA) and distributed door-to-door in our local community.
Free Car Wash: Information brochures and homemade muffins are given to those who stop by the gym parking lot for a complimentary car wash.
Blanket Ministry: Small blankets are handcrafted, then distributed to new mothers of the Birthright Center in Cicero, IN. http://www.birthright.org/
Adopt-a-Grandparent, Acadia Developmental Center: Students travel to a Millers Merry Manor (www.millersmerrymanor.com, a nursing home in Tipton, IN) and interact with the residents by playing games and talking. After visiting the nursing, some residents from the Arcadia Developmental Center come to the IA gym for games.
Single Mom's Oil Change: Through local advertisements, single mothers of the community are invited to bring their car in for a free oil change.
Good News Ministries: Students travel to Indianapolis to help at the Good New Ministries (www.goodnewsministries.com). This a local shelter for homeless men.
Prison Ministries: This group creates cards, writes personal notes of encouragement and visits local prisons.
Meals on Wheels: Students participating prepare take-out lunch trays for themselves and local shut-ins and then go in pairs to deliver the meals and spend time visiting with their hosts and assisting with household tasks, as needed.
School-Wide Leaf Rake Day: In the fall, large groups of students spend time raking leaves for the elderly in our community.
School 61: Students assist in the classrooms at a inner city school in Indianapolis
PR: A small group of students document Project 58 activities through photography and video.
This project has been a great success so far and we have received numerous thank-you letters from the community. Our students lives have been touched as they help others.