Church donates funds to local schools and nonprofit groups

First Baptist Church Texarkana donated $57,000 to local elementary schools and a couple of nonprofit organizations through its Operation Jerusalem program. Principals from those schools attended a luncheon at the church Wednesday where they each received checks for $3,000.

Operation Jerusalem is based on the Bible passage Acts 1:8: “But you will receive power when

the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

“We do a lot in our area but we wanted to do more to make an impact in our Jerusalem. … This is something different that we haven’t done before,” said Jeff Shreve FBC pastor. “We wanted to let them know they’re not in this alone. We want to be the love of Jesus to them in a tangible way to help them as they work with kids.”

School districts receiving the funds include Texarkana, Ark., School District and Pleasant Grove, Texarkana, Red Lick and Liberty-Eylau independent school districts. CASA of Northeast Texas and the Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club also received donations.

The funds are unrestricted, meaning schools can spend the money in whatever area they determine there’s a need.

“It’s unrestricted but we hope you’ll use it to make a difference in the lives of kids,” said Larry Sims, FBC associate pastor.

“We’re giving these principals a check for $3,000 to be used at their schools in the best way they see fit,” Sims wrote in an email to the Gazette. “Some will use it for supplies and clothing and other needs for some of their students. Others plan to use it for … behavioral incentives or equipment. They do not have to meet certain criteria. It is just our church letting the schools and the community know we desire to help them and encourage them. No strings attached.”

Debbie Cooper, Redlick Elementary principal, was excited to receive the funds.

“It’s an amazing opportunity. It’s a blessing,” Cooper said.

She plans to use the money for the school’s program School-wide Enrichment Model or SEM.

In the program kids are able to participate once a week in activities that interest them. Some examples of activities include sewing, Legos, elementary Spanish or bugology.

“I’m real excited,” Cooper said.

FBC donated $1.4 million to mission causes local and abroad last year.

“We’re trying to make a big impact on people who live far away but we also want to make a big impact close to home,” Shreve said.