Editor’s note: This story is part of the 2011 Welcome to Worship Guide, a special advertising section produced by Wednesday Journal and Forest Park Review. Click here to view the entire 2011 Welcome to Worship Guide.
As the dog days of summer rolled into Oak Park, seventy teenagers and adult leaders from Fair Oaks Presbyterian Church climbed aboard two buses and rolled out of town. For a week in July the church’s youth group traveled to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation to be of service to this economically challenged Native American population. Painting and repairing low income housing and being youth volunteers at a local club for area children were activities that gave the Fair Oaks youth group opportunity to extend outreach to the people of this underserved community.
The teens had a variety of experiences, but all were moved and sobered by working with the people of Pine Ridge, whose futures are dim. With alcoholism and drug abuse being prevalent, unemployment at Pine Ridge hovers between 80-85% of the population.
Fair Oaks Church is committed and very active in its ministry to youth. One of the largest ministries at the church is the after school Wednesday Logos program where over 100 children and youth gather at the church to participate in Bible study, Worship Skills, Recreation and Play, and Family Meal Time. The heart and focus of Logos is building Christian relationships and seeing all people as children of God.
Weekly Sunday school is offered for children and adults, as well as multiple 34 week Disciple Bible studies.
For further information call 386-4920.
