New Salem Baptist kick off first day of school at Allen Elementary
SODDY DAISY, Tenn. (WDEF)- The First Day of School is finally here! New Salem Baptist Church lined the streets to welcome Allen Elementary Students back to school.
” We are right across the street from Allen Elementary School, we have a long relationship with them. A few years ago we figured out ways to bless them. We got to thinking that on the first day of school why these kids are coming in, they are nervous, and their parents are nervous. We thought, what can we do to brighten their day? So we decided to start showing up and lined up on the street,” said Alan Rogers, Pastor of New Salem Baptist Church.
New Salem Baptist Church has conducted “Operation First Day” for more than 3 years.
As a part of this ministry, church members hold inspirational signs and waving to parents and children as they pass by.
Pastor Rogers considers “Operation First day” a way to motivate students to be successful.
“These kids have the world in their pocket and they know what so much more about what’s going on, and hear things,” said Pastor Rogers. ” They are really anxious about today. And so one of the ways we want to help them is to let them know, people care about them. People love them, and school is not as serious sometimes.”
Operation First Day is also aimed to ease back-to-school ‘jitters’ for parents.
Brenda Mayfield with New Salem Baptist Church believes it’s important to support students as they go back to school.
“We just want to be a blessing to our community and for our church. We want to be able not only grow but just to welcome these kids. Some may be are having a bad day. So we want them to know that they are loved and they can dream big,” said Mayfield.
New Salem Baptist Church plans to continue Operation First Day in the future.
In the meantime,Louise Williams with Allen Elementary hopes each student have a safe and fun school year.
“Do not worry! Know that God is with them, their parents love them. The teachers love them. They are there to teach them and give them footing to go into the world someday. Just know that we all love them,” said Williams.
