Students Partner With Church for Community Outreach

Story by Kamryn Brown (’27)

Pine Forge Academy (PFA), an historically Black Seventh-day Adventist boarding high school, prioritizes the mission of preparing students for service to God and others, promoting Christian excellence.

For the past few months, students from PFA have come together on Sabbaths to support a children’s program at the Walnut Street Community church in Pottstown, Pa.

The church hosts a monthly program called “Childrens’ Story Hour” for children ages 2 to 11. The program was created by a group of church members in an effort to support the surrounding neighborhoods. Each month, community children are picked up and brought to the church where they enjoy a Bible story, songs, games, prizes and a meal. PFA students have teamed up with church members to provide assistance and ensure the program runs smoothly.

So far this school year, a small group of students from the academy have volunteered at the church on two occasions.

One student, Nathan Henry, a junior, attended both times. Based on his report, he found the events to be a great experience, and he looks forward to doing it again. He shared that during the first visit, PFA students sang songs with the children and read a Bible story, applying the message to their lives. Afterward, they participated in activities inspired by the story of the day.

Henry had a unique experience on the second visit. PFA students rode on a bus that picked up the children and their families, providing an opportunity to interact with them and share their experiences at PFA. The theme for the day was fire safety, and the children had the chance to meet firefighters and explore a fire truck.

The event proved to be a win-win situation for everyone involved. Beyond earning community service hours, Henry shared that the experience taught him valuable life lessons about how God hears our prayers before we even ask. He appreciated the opportunity to step away from the temptations of everyday life and truly enjoy the Sabbath while introducing the Bible to the children in the community. The experience also helped him reconnect with the innocent joy of childhood that teenagers often overlook. Seeing the children happy and learning about Jesus put a smile on his face.

Additionally, the students’ participation helped church leaders conduct the program more efficiently. The presence of the students also provided the community children with a relatable example of young Christian teenagers and strengthened the visibility of a Seventh-day Adventist institution in their community. Through this outreach, PFA is spreading the gospel while demonstrating the values that define the school’s excellence.