Although traditionally First Priority is known for sponsoring See You at the Pole rallies and DiscipleNow weekends, a wide range of activities and programs is sponsored by the group.
Greg Davis, executive director for First Priority of Alabama, said one ministry of particular interest currently is the group’s efforts that take place during times of both personal and national crises, such as during the present war with Iraq.
Birmingham Metro Area Director Joel Frederick said that First Priority offers churches an avenue by which they can minister to their students during times like these. “First Priority clubs can quickly become a safe haven, a place of refuge where hope is offered, hurts and needs addressed and salvation received,” he said. “When tragedy hits a campus, the First Priority club will often become the “hospital” for the hearts on campus.
As First Priority leaders focus on helping students deal with the war in Iraq, Davis said they are also looking ahead to a future project- an intern program at Samford University in Birmingham. This new program is set to start this fall.
As part of Samford’s Pursuing Pastoral Excellence program funded by a Lilly endowment, the mentor/intern program will place college-age students preparing for full-time ministry in local churches to be mentored under staff members.
“This is a great way to expose students to the responsibilities [church] staff members face,” Davis said. “We’re really excited about it.”
Other activities sponsored by First Priority clubs include:
- Devotional and/or worship times prior to the school day once a week
- Food drives
- Free hot chocolate on cold days
- Free snacks
- 40 days- a program that challenges students to spend 40 days becoming more like Christ.
- Worship rallies
- Back-to-school rallies
- Fund raisers for various charities or organizations.
For more information about First Priority, contact Davis at 205-871-8886 or check out the organization’s Web site at www.fpalabama.org.
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