“CARIN' 4 ERIN”

During the month of April, G.O. sponsored a school wide project called “Carin' 4 Erin” to help raise support for one of our Grandview teachers who is headed to Portugal as a missionary. Fifth grade teacher and GPBS alum (Class of '02), Erin Wahlstrom will be moving to Lisbon this August to minister with the Association of Baptists for World Evangelism. At the beginning of April Erin still needed 36% more of her financial support to be able to go. Rewind: Last year G.O. sponsored a school wide project called “Cerious 4 Cereal” which raised 12,710 boxes of cereal for the hungry of Des Moines. These projects give our students a tangible opportunity to develop compassion, practice sacrificial giving, experience the power of Christian teamwork, and reap the joy of giving to others. This year we decided to move a bit outward and seek to enlarge the vision of our students with more of a global project. Erin's need was a perfect bridge between our school and something outside the United States.

Our goal for “Carin' 4 Erin” was to raise $1,876 (one month of support for Erin). No incentives were offered to the students, no class or division totals were kept, and no rewards were given. Our desire was to encourage heart-motivated, non-reciprocal, Jesus-like giving. We wanted students to defy culture and follow the example of Christ and give as He gave—freely, lovingly, and generously. Over the month students brought in their donations for C4E and as they did, stories began surfacing…

•  A little girl brought in her lifelong change collection, a bucket she could hardly carry •  Students gave up pizza, pop, or other luxuries to donate the money they saved •  A brother and sister weeded together at home to earn extra money to give •  A girl gave up her entire allowance for a week •  A student made baked goodies to sell at Open House •  Two brothers took the family's collection of pop cans for recycling (14 bags) and gave all the proceeds •  A boy walked around the school with a change jar asking students to donate spare change •  One class posted anonymous pledges on their bulletin board and daily prayed for each card •  One girl gave up all the change she had collected (she was saving to spend it on vacation)--$50 •  One boy who was given a bonus by an employer and gave the whole bonus At the end of the month, with a goal of $1,876—our students raised over $10,000. Amaaaaaaaazing!!!! Praise the Lord!!

Not only did they surpass the goal, but by raising (not one but) almost 5 months of her support GPBS became Erin's biggest supporter. As a result of the project and what God has done in the month of April, Erin started at 64% but is now at 100% of her needed support. We are praising God for his faithfulness through the generosity and love of the students at Grandview. One staff member commented to me that in all of their years of ministry, this was the greatest thing they had ever seen done by a group of Christians.

On May 5 the school gathered together to officially say goodbye to Erin, reveal the total, pray, and celebrate God's name. The auditorium was jam-packed with all of our students, staff, and even many parents and visitors who attended. It was a great program that brought glory to God for the amazing thing He accomplished. After revealing the total to the crowd (and after the clapping, screaming, and jumping subsided) we celebrated by hearing Scripture read by students (Andrew, Josie, Erin, Rylan, Bethany, Aleya, Jayde), singing songs of worship (led by Austin and the worship team), praying together (led by Emma, Tim, Kate), and honoring Erin for being a great teacher (Mack & the 5th grade class). For the final part of the program, students intermingled as classes and formed a giant circle around the auditorium. Students prayed for Miss Wahlstrom and then sang a fitting final song together— Glory to God Forever .

A big thank you to all of the parents who not only supported this project but also both encouraged your child to participate and helped teach your child important lessons about sacrifice, giving, generosity, compassion, missions, and treasures in heaven. We were encouraged by the total brought in for Miss Wahlstrom—but we are just as encouraged to see the curricular impact of giving our students opportunities to move past knowledge and practice what they are learning in the classroom. Our desire continues to help our GPBS students LEARN… LIVE… and LOVE.

[A personal note from Miss Wahlstrom:] ...................................................................

To My Grandview Family –

“Their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability, entirely on their own.”  2 Cor. 8:2-4

I marked this passage in the margin of my Bible with four letters: “GPBS.”

God has completely amazed me as I have watched Him work in the lives of students and families to give exceedingly and abundantly above anything I could have ever imagined. I want to thank you. Words cannot express how God has used you to encourage my heart and overwhelm me with His love and provision. It is absolutely astounding to me that 300 students and their families are now my largest supporters.  Thank you for encouraging your children to willingly and joyfully partner with me. God has answered my prayers, and He has done it through you.

At the end of March, my support level was at 64%. It thrills me to say that  through the “Carin' 4 Erin” project and the addition of a few new supporters, my support level is now at 94% with only $2,700 left to raise.

Thank you so much. My heart echoes Paul's words in 2 Corinthians 9: “This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!”

-Erin Wahlstrom

Grandview Greeting

The greeting ministry is held on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings here at GPBS. Greeting isn't just a fun little thing to do, it possess a lot of potential. One of the most common things a lot of people say they don't like about organizations, churches. and schools is "they're not friendly". This is a big opportunity. DONT THINK IT'S "JUST" GREETING! Greeting can do a few things. First off it can get students noticed. Secondly, students feel important. Finally, adults will see the friendly face of Jesus as they walk into Grandview Park Baptist.

Sports

This ministry is a way for our school to minister to other schools' sports teams that walk through our door. We put food, a drink, and a scripture verse in a sack. Then after the game we hand them out to each player on the opposing team. Sometimes we also supply food for the officials, and snacks for the opposing team's fans.This is a way for us to show God's love to the other team.

Mr. Seyler

Mr. Seyler is the leader of our GO ministry. He supervises meetings held each Monday during lunch.