Wilson Church Coalition Aims to Build Partnership with Public School

Nashville Tennessean USA TODAY NETWORK - TENN.

An estimated 30 to 40 Wilson County churches have come together for a joint community prayer gathering Wednesday that pastors want to precede a partnership between congregations and public schools. Everyone’s Wilson is the name of the informal coalition that evolved from monthly meetings of area pastors and church leaders, Green Hill Church Pastor Daryl Crouch said. The prayer gathering is the first public event for Everyone’s Wilson, with hundreds expected to attend based on social media response. The coalition also wants to establish a partnership with Wilson County Schools “so that every school has a church partner,” Providence Church Pastor Jacob Armstrong said. The churches have discussed the initiative with school leaders. The goals are to provide teacher and faculty support, tutoring help for students and to work with administrators on individual student and family needs that the church partner could address. All volunteers will be trained and be given background checks, Armstrong said. Hopes are to pilot the program next fall, Armstrong said. “Historically, local churches had been great community partners to

our Family Resource Center, so it only made sense to try and organize those efforts in a way that ensured we were meeting the needs of as many families as possible,” Wilson County Schools spokeswoman Jennifer Johnson said. “... We wholeheartedly welcome any assistance and support that’s provided by the community.” Hunger, alcohol, drug and opioid addiction, and public safety are other areas along with education that Everyone’s Wilson has focused on.

“From a church’s perspective, we believe the ultimate transformation comes with a personal relationship with Jesus,” Crouch said. “The ultimate goal is for life transformation, but we believe that people can experience a little bit closer to what God intended for them to experience if we meet them in the pocket of their vulnerability.”

Everyone’s Wilson began with pastors who began meeting roughly 18 months ago to address issues surrounding racial division in the country. It led to a vision of addressing specific community needs and a more unified and larger church effort.

Everyone’s Wilson is Christian-based, but leaders say all are invited to Wednesday’s prayer gathering.

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