Back to School: Church mission helping Mt. Judea School prepare for new school year

MT. JUDEA — Charity, the saying goes, begins at home.
River of Life Church (ROLC) leaders and members are following this adage by helping a neighbor prepare for the 2024-2025 school year. Last week, about 50 church members including adults arrived at the school. They brought with them about $500 worth of donated paint and materials from area businesses to make the school's classrooms, offices and restrooms presentable for when students arrive for the first day of classes on Monday, Aug. 12.
"It's a major blessing!" exclaimed Mt. Judea School Principal Lindsey Graham, Friday morning, Aug. 2. Youths and adults wearing either a blue or a pink t-shirt with the words "Hope Week" printed on the front, scurried about. Many entered the principal's cluttered office asking for directions. Controlling the chaos, fortunately, was Kristy Thomas, who co-pastors the church with her husband, Mike Thomas.
ROLC is located on US. 65 between Bellefonte and Valley Springs. The church connected with the school during the 2024 Spring Break and decided the school's students, parents and patrons are all part of the church's community.
The church observes a "Week of Hope," annually. This year it decided to help the school, said Graham.
Kristy Thomas said church missions often deliver aid to under-developed communities in other countries, but there are communities close by that are also deserving of a helping hand.
The rural isolated school, only about 25 miles south of ROLC, is part of the consolidated Deer/Mt. Judea School District. Mt. Judea School has fewer than 200 students in kindergarten through the 12th grade.

The Mt. Judea School campus is unique in the state. It's the only one that is divided by a state Highway (state Highway 123). The school's administration offices and high school classrooms are on one side of the highway and the elementary school, gym and cafeteria are on the other side. There is an un-monitored crosswalk (not even warning lights) that connects the halves.
The church workers have been here three days, said Graham. They have been working past noon along side of the school's teachers. On Friday the focus was on the kindergarten classroom. It was basically being taken apart. The walls and the shelves will be painted and then the classroom will be put back together in good order.
Several teens were working in the high school classrooms. Younger children have also pitched in during the week by decorating bulletin boards and helping Graham fill little bags with treats that will be given to staff members when they return.
Kristy Thomas said help was also being provided by clients from the Recovery Center of the Ozarks.
The Week of Outreach concluded with a free Hope Fest celebration on Saturday, Aug. 3. There was a backpack giveaway. Shoes for children, haircuts and groceries were being offered to all the attending families.
The Deer/Mt. Judea School District will have open house at both schools on Thursday, Aug. 8, from 5:30 - 7 p.m.