Florida Department Of Education Honors Involvement Of Two Escambia Churches

June 12, 2015

The Florida Department of Education has recognized two Escambia County churches with the Commissioner’s Business Recognition Awards. The awards acknowledge businesses for their extraordinary contributions to public education in Florida.

For Escambia County, the awards were presented to Calvary Baptist Church on Pine Forest Road and Pine Summit Baptist Church on Bellview Avenue.

Calvary Baptist has been involved in a five year partnership with Bellview Elementary School, having adopted this school as a part of the  church’s “Impact Ministry”. Originating from a vision to have a positive impact on the community, the church has numerous members who volunteer as mentors through the Escambia County School District’s Youth Motivator Program.

The church also provides “backpack food” for more than two dozen children identified by the school as lacking food to eat over the weekends. Church volunteers also assist in the classroom and with special projects as requested by the school’s teachers and administrators.

“Everyone benefits when businesses are actively involved in education in their communities,” said Chancellor of K-12 Public Education Hershel Lyons. “I commend our partners’ efforts to ensure students receive the tools and resources they need to be successful in college, career and life.”

“We understand that as Christians, we have a unique and solemn responsibility and privilege to make our community a better place. It is simply not ‘good enough’ to exist in our community and not address the real and prevalent needs of those here,” said Calvary Senior Pastor Chris Aiken. “Teachers have the ‘high ground’ of influence in the lives of children. We simply want to help our schools in fulfilling their mandate to train up and educate this generation of children.”

Calvary also serves the broader school district as hosts of the baccalaureate services for Pine Forest and West Florida high schools, providing mentors at Ransom and Bellview middle schools and MacArthur Elementary, as well as providing leadership to First Priority programs at Pine Forest High, as well as Bellview and Ransom Middle Schools.

Pictured top: Calvary Baptist Church. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Comments

5 Responses to “Florida Department Of Education Honors Involvement Of Two Escambia Churches”

  1. Northern Flash on June 13th, 2015 1:50 pm

    To John, these children along with all children will benefit with more spiritual impact on their lives. Maybe if we had a little more pray and spiritual leaders in our schools, we would not have so many children running wild, stealing, bullying, etc. Maybe we would not have teen girls pregnant s o early. You probley do not know all the thing Christ can do, for our young people, if given a chance. Not wanting to start anything, but the truth hurts sometime.

  2. john on June 13th, 2015 7:20 am

    My question is to the pastor, is part of you ministry or goal inside the school not only to feed the children physically but also spiritually and are y’all being allowed to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ inside the school?

  3. Susan Whittle on June 12th, 2015 9:01 am

    Thank you so much Chris. I teach at Bellview and see the things your church does. It is also nice to see the state recognize a church in a favorable light. God bless.

  4. Gene Hudson on June 12th, 2015 7:48 am

    Great Job Chris, y’all keep up the good work!

  5. Chris Aiken on June 12th, 2015 7:07 am

    Thank you for the write up acknowledging the award. We are thankful to serve OUR community and for the opportunity afforded us by the school district and our partner schools. Pastor Chris Aiken

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News