Connecting Church & School

by Pastor Barbara Cornejo, Community Assembly of God

Our late pastor, Rev. Edward A. Stewart, Community Assembly of God, had a dream and a vision twenty years ago: a youth center that would serve the needs of young people and their families in the Excelsior neighborhood of San Francisco.  The beginnings of this dream was recently fulfilled when the Stewart Youth Center received its official 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation status.
 
This past December 15th was a landmark day for the Stewart Youth Center because we had the privilege of serving breakfast to the teachers of James Denman Middle School, with support from parents from Grace Fellowship Community Church and Redeemer Community Church.  This open door was made possible by our new friends at Grace Urban Ministries. The breakfast was a great opportunity to meet the teachers and demonstrate to them that Stewart Youth Center is here to support them.  Since the church facility & the youth center are located within two blocks of three high schools (i.e. Balboa, Leadership & Lick-Wilmerding), one Middle School (i.e. James Denman), and San Francisco City College, being able to establish a connection with the schools, as through a breakfast, is a huge step forward in our vision for the community.
 
Our head pastor, Rev. Mary Stewart, has taken over the reins from her husband and she is continuing to grow this youth center in fulfillment of the vision.  Your prayers are needed for guidance as we make plans for future service to the surrounding schools and the many young people of our neighborhood.