Ward Chapel-Bell County Board of Education-Faith Temple Church

Topics of discussion are always lively conversations that produce many different points of view and considerations. So often, topics create little more then just good dialog and better understanding of your friends and their position on issues. The real difference is when leaders of those topics have also created action plans. The vision casting as presented to the Bell County Board of Education by Senior Pastor Shawn Baker with the Faith Temple Church is the type of topic that deserves action and I applaud the congregation’s efforts and their passion to move topics to action plans and make a difference because of their passions for all of us.
The decision to be rendered by the Bell County Board of Education regarding the future plans of the Ward Chapel School property is quite clear. When institutions or organizations like Faith Temple have such a beneficial and well thought out plan it is easy to say yes! If their leadership was not sure of a direction of use, or was just wanting some property out of greed that would create an easy no, but their actions are clearly for the benefit of Bell County and this is very exciting project to support. Our school board, who should be the leading agent of education in all forms, has an opportunity with this matter to be a part of something that will forever be a positive addition to Bell County.
I am grateful for my part in the development of the Bell County Drug Coalition, and humbled to be their president emeritus. That program, I authored, was the format used by Congressman Harold Rogers for the Comprehensive Counter-Drug Initiative. Today Operation UNITE is an effort that leaders of Congress see as an action plan to a topic of discussion that has also made a difference.
I spent several years working with Joshua’s Dream Foundation, Teen Challenge and other programs of faith. I see the plan to involve James Dobson-Focus on the Family, and that ministries commitment to become involved in local communities like here in Bell County through the efforts of Faith Temple and I am so excited at this chance the Bell County Board of Education has to be a progressive partner in our quality of life through support of this effort. Congressman Roger’s staff, Operation UNITE, and the involvement of others in this proposal are clear recommendations of the belief and commitment of these individuals to the success of this effort. The diverse unity of this type of coalition is unusual, yes, but in today’s environments it takes this type of collaboration to bring real change and positive impact to a community such as ours. The Bell County Board of Education is the remaining partner needed to create a flood of resources that will come through this effort.
The challenges facing our teens and adults today are life crushing problems if there is no hope or answers to be provided. To simple set back and say, “you’ve got to stop”, or “you need to change your ways”, are only lip service to a problem that requires positive examples and mentors. Through the property at Ward Chapel, Faith Temple could create an environment that welcomes questions and creates a place for answers that will change the lives of our citizens through education and support.
The challenges facing our teens and adults today are life crushing problems if there is no means to the answers that we suggest. It is unacceptable to just say or point a finger in a suggestive way to point out we never committed such a mistake by asking “why did you do this”, or “what were you thinking.” Accountability is created through meaningful relationships and genuine assistance to see folks improve their lives. The opportunity Faith Temple Church has proposed to the Bell County Board of Education is one that has HOPE spelled all throughout it’s proposal. My way of thinking is that SPELLING and education go hand in hand and when the two words are added together I cannot think of a better way for my board of education to act then doing her part for all of us, SPELLING HOPE – YES!

Until then