Our church campus has been overrun by more than 350 new teachers, coaches, mentors, bus drivers, and counselors the past two days as the Midland School District held its new teacher orientation at GCR. And we’ve been honored to host them.

All our ministers and church staff, along with a dozen or so terrific GCR volunteers, were on hand each morning to welcome the new instructors with open doors, handshakes and high fives, and well wishes for the new school year. We served coffee and flavored teas, helped give directions and instructions before and in between training sessions, and tried to be as friendly and helpful as we could be as they begin their new jobs with our local school district.

Why would we do something like this at GCR? Why would we go to the trouble and expense of hosting something like this for MISD and its new teachers?

Of the 350 new teachers, let’s assume that between 1/3 and 1/2 of them are brand new to our community. I personally met folks yesterday and today who just moved to Midland from San Antonio and Austin, from South Texas and New Mexico, and from as far away as Wyoming. There might be almost 200 people here, and their families, who are living in Midland for the very first time. Trying to find the grocery store and the movie theater, hunting for a doctor and a dentist, looking for a church. Is there a better way to get that many brand new people to your community inside your church building?

More than that, all 350 of these people have something really important in common: they are all in transition. Regardless of whether they just moved here or they’ve lived here all their lives, they are all beginning brand new jobs in new places with new people. They’re all making adjustments in their lives, forming new habits, re-thinking old assumptions, and probably reordering their priorities. It’s during these times of transition that God’s Holy Spirit can sneak into a person’s soul and whisper something important. Our Lord can find a little crack during these transition moments and do something monumental with a person. And when that happens–next week or next year–I’ll know that new teacher met some great ministers and had a really good experience at GCR.

When God’s Spirit finally prompts someone to start looking for better connections with him and his people, maybe they’ll remember that GCR seemed like a place and a people where that could happen.

Finally, why wouldn’t a Christian church want to bless and encourage a big group of teachers who are committing to our local schools and our local kids? Why wouldn’t disciples of Jesus be first in line to help our local school district? Better public education benefits kids and families and it makes our entire community better in dozens of different ways. So, yeah, we’re all in!

Thank you to those who held doors and poured coffee and tea and said, “Room 201 is in the gym” about a million times.

And thank you to Dr. Howard and MISD for allowing us the honor of hosting your awesome teachers for their orientation. GCR wishes y’all the very best of an amazing school year!

Peace,

Allan