Gulf Coast Family

Every March for the past eight years, Indian Rocks Christian School in Largo has done something that is quite exceptional among high schools here in Pinellas, and for that matter something that is quite exceptional anywhere in our country. On March 23-27 I.R.C.S. will conduct what it calls its Ministry Mester. During this Ministry Mester week, all normal high school classes are set aside and the students are involved in a variety of service projects.

“The yearly trips have helped forge relationships between our staff, parents and students that have greatly strengthened the fabric of our school.”
– Don Mayes, Superintendent of I.R.C.S.

“The biggest highlight of our school year is by far our Ministry Mester”, high school principal Perry Banse told us. “Students have the opportunity to choose to serve here in the local community, in other parts of the state, other parts of the country, or they can serve internationally.” In September the I.R.C.S. students, with the help of their parents, had the opportunity to review all the different trips being offered this March. The students were then encouraged to select a team trip that interested them.

“I am so proud of our students. We are very blessed here at I.R.C.S. to have so many students and staff here who have a passion for helping others.”
– Tim Rhine, Advancement Director

While the program only had some 30 participants eight years ago, the I.R.C.S. Ministry Mester program now consists of over 245 student participants, with 170 students going on trips away from the area. For those students who select to go on trips away from the area, their training started in September. Students are not only trained in the classroom but they are also taught how take their service efforts into the local community. From helping the elderly to cleaning up the parks and streets, from helping in hospitals to building schools, these students are learning how to serve and help others.

For more information concerning Indian Rock’s Ministry Mester contact Perry Banse at 727-596-7192.

Manna Bags

Recently we received a wonderful suggestion on how we as parents can help instill in our children a heart of compassion and service that we would like to share with you. It is quite obvious as you travel through our county that Pinellas has its share of homeless people pandering at street corners. Instead of giving the homeless money, which many would just use on alcohol or drugs, try giving them a “manna bag.” Manna bags are very simply large zip-lock bags filled with non-perishable items like bottled water, crackers, raisins, toothpaste, toothbrush and other essential items. Fill the bags as a family project and then place a few of the bags in your van or car. Then the next time you are out driving and you see a panhandler, you and your family can present them with this little gift. This very simple act of service will not only help meet the needs of the homeless, but it will also help teach your children the value of compassion.

• 245 students participating in minimester 2009
• 75 students serving in Pinellas County
• 170 students serving on trips outside the area
• Ministry Mester opportunities outside the local area included trips to the following locations: New York, Tennessee, Arizona, California, Nicaragua, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Eleuthera, St. Lucia, Jamaica, Thailand, Mexico, England and Russia.
• Ministry Mester service trips for the I.R. students here in Pinellas include: Pinellas County beach and park clean-up, work at Heritage Village, FBCIR campus clean-up, D&D homes, and Teen Missions to name just a few.

“The experience our students gain while observing and serving other cultures has changed the culture of our school and has given our students a different view of the materialism they witness in their own culture.”
– Perry Banse, H.S. Principal