Frontline Equipping God's Children

Frontline Outreach: Equipping God's Greatest Gifts—Children

We worry about what a child will be tomorrow, yet we forget that he is someone today. Stacia Taucher

Five year old Shamile and her two year old brother were being raised alone by their mother, a native of Haiti in the shadows of the Citrus Bowl just outside of downtown Orlando. A smart girl with great dreams she wondered if she would ever accomplish them. Living on the edge of survival with a mother working multiple jobs in a community where less than 50% of the people graduate from the local high school her vision seemed more like an impossible fairy tale than an attainable dream.

Today, she is an alumnus of Jones High, a National Achievement Scholar and second year full scholarship student at the University of Florida. Her days in Nichols Apartments and Washington Shores Elementary seem like a distant memory.

How did she escape teen pregnancy, high school drop out, low achievement, and lack of drive? First, she would tell you by God's grace. Then she'd say, the hard work of her Mom and the ministry of Frontline Outreach (www.fl-o.org)

What is Frontline Outreach?

Can you imagine a place where an urban child can connect to God's purpose for their lives as early as age one? Where these same children will be engaged in relationships that will enable them to enter kindergarten ready to read, write and learn while they in grade school. A place where children who are being raised alone by mothers and grandparents learn the truth of Jeremiah 29:11 which says For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”  Where young people can learn to serve and become leaders in middle and high school in their community and prepare for life after high school.  That is Frontline Outreach, a five-decade-old parachurch community education ministry that has preschool, after school, leadership ministries on a campus with a 42,000 square foot complex with a pool serving close to 500 young people annually.

Founded by C.R. And Estelle Smith in 1967, Frontline for five decades has been Orlando's leading community education ministry where people like Orange County Sherriff Jerry Demings were equipped with God's purpose and encourage to lead. The mission is preparing tomorrow's leaders with a vision for success and service.

What is the Frontline Advantage?

As the Chief Servant (Arto Woodley www.box.net/awjr) at Frontline I am best able to answer that question. There are many ministries and programs for young people. Frontline has served for five decades in the inner city. Our ministries comprehensively develop young people from ages 1-18 in preschool, after school and leadership ministries. Kids don't want programs but rather relationships. Frontline's dedicated Board and team recognize if young people connect to God's purpose and continually equipped and encouraged like Shamile nothing will hinder their destiny. Finally, we are unique in the emphasis on developing leaders rather than chasing problems after young people engage in destructive behaviors. Leaders like Dawit, a sophomore at the First Academy, who started at Frontline as a toddler will be world changers because they are know the character traits of leadership, serve and know God's purpose of their lives.

All of the young people the Frontline team serves are not at risk kids raised in single parent homes in a poor neighborhoods with struggling schools. They are God's greatest gifts created with purpose and destiny. According to Ephesians 2:10, they are His workmanship, a veritable work of art for His glory.

How can you become a part of this ministry movement? First we need as many active prayer partners praying for our team, children, and those serving at Frontline. It takes over 300 people serving (volunteers, email volunteering@fl-o.org) every year to accomplish our service goals. We need people willing to connect personally and share God's love with children. Close to 500 young people are served every year at Frontline almost half need sponsors and mentors to engage directly with them (learn more at http://flcof.eventbrite.com). To learn more about Frontline in person you can attend one of our fall events as my guest by call me directly at (407) 293-3000 extension 111.

Thank in advance for your prayers and consideration of God's greatest gifts -- children. Blessings!