With our largest crowd ever, we had a wonderful Annual BBQ this month! Those attending the BBQ were from a wide range of areas. Several church leaders, business leaders, and educators joined us at the event. It was great to have a new interest, along with our very faithful supporters.
The BBQ also had particular importance this year as we asked our supporters to assemble a Career Readiness Round Table. We are privileged to have the leaders of some of Jacksonville’s most well-known companies as supporters of Sidewalk Ministries. We need their combined knowledge and problem-solving skills to help overcome the challenge of breaking generational poverty in our kids’ lives as they “find Hope and fulfill God’s purpose for their lives”. Amazingly, the challenge is not a shortage of job opportunities - It is the lack of educational preparedness and transportation to get to a good job.
The BBQ event began with the opportunity for guests to view information booths in FIVE primary areas of focus:
1) Continuing the Heart of our Mission in the Communities we serve
2) Summer Excursions - partnership with FBCJax
3) Happy Birthday Jesus Party
4) Teen Career Expo – Powered by Community Partners
5) SEEK - Sidewalk Excellence in Education and Knowledge (Learning Assistance)
Then it was time for a delicious lunch of smoked ribs, sausage, and all the fixin’s! It has become a tradition to enjoy an incredible BBQ by Pit Master Scott Hudson and the team from Batson-Cook. Guests were treated to a hat showcasing our new logo donated by Board Member Alan Fickling
It was our privilege to share a few priorities of Sidewalk Ministries. Board Member Ed Varnes, hosted a panel discussion highlighting our mission and goals, ministry focus, education, and teen program development and challenged all in attendance to partner with us – you can still join us, drop us an email at info@sidewalkministries.com.
Thank you to Batson-Cook and The Covenant School for hosting this event! We are very thankful for their faithful commitment to Sidewalk Ministries. And a very heartfelt THANK YOU to all those who attended and shared our passion for taking the love and the message of Jesus Christ to the youth in our City.
