Good Fridays: sharing Christ’s love while getting a makeover
A couple Fridays ago, I had both the best and the worst hair salon experience of my life. This hair salon was not what you might imagine with black swivel chairs and shiny floors. Instead, I sat on a park bench surrounded by a group of elementary school girls that giggled, beamed and chatted as they wreaked havoc on my hair. They twirled, braided, pulled, and occasionally reassured me that I looked fabulous. Despite the slight pain from having my hair pulled in five different directions, I couldn’t help but be delighted by their infectious laughter. I left that park bench with a rat’s nest on my head, but a smile on my face and a full heart.
Every other Friday, Regent students participate in a student-lead outreach called Good Fridays. From 2:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., students have the opportunity to go to the United in Him Community Center to love on elementary school kids and share the Gospel with them.
United in Him is a ministry with the purpose of discipling at-risk youth. Their community buildings seek to serve communities by offering services in equal opportunity housing areas.
Regent students began getting involved at this specific community center over 3 years ago. Hanging out and playing basketball, drawing with sidewalk chalk, blowing bubbles, or playing hair salon are just a few of the simple ways through which we get to show these kids the love of Christ.
Most Fridays there will also be some sort of short Gospel presentation through stories or activities, followed by the kids’ favorite part: snack time.
Through this outreach, we have the chance to tell these kids that we love them, not only through words, but also through the simple act of showing up and spending time with them. We get to share with them the profound truth that they have a heavenly Father that loves them dearly and who made a way for them to know Him through Christ.
If you would like to be a part of what the Lord is doing through Good Friday’s, join us every other Friday at 2:30 in the Constitution lobby and get ready to have some crazy fun times with these precious kiddos!
