Our Journey Together
August 2024
Greetings!
We hope you have been enjoying your summer. The warmth & sunshine always seem to pass so quickly here in Pittsburgh, but we have a lot to look forward to as fall approaches! There will be a more detailed report on our recent activities & announcements for future events coming soon—in the meantime we hope you will take a moment to read & consider the following with an open heart & an open mind.
The COVE: Afterschool
The Harvest Is Plenty…
The new school year begins in less in a month, & you know what that means… we’re almost ready for the next season of Afterschool! We are excited to introduce new teachers, new art projects, & new Bible studies to our returning students & all the incoming middle schoolers we are expecting. We are praying that this year will be our best for regular attendance, creative expression, & deep spiritual formation. With that, we are also asking God to provide a fresh abundance of resources & physical help so our ministry will bear lasting fruit in the lives we touch & the community we serve.
This ministry has been blessed by so many amazing leaders & art teachers over the years. We are eternally grateful for each of them & their investment in our mission to provide safe spaces, enrichment opportunities, & sound Biblical teaching to the youth in our city. However, right now we currently lack the help we need to run programming at the level of excellence & efficiency our students deserve. We have officially opened volunteer applications for The COVE: Afterschool. Please pray with us & ask God to send workers who believe in our mission & share our passion for serving middle school & high school students in Pittsburgh. If you (or anyone you know) matches the following description, we encourage you to apply (or send this application to the person you have in mind) to start the conversation with us!
I live in the Greater Pittsburgh Metropolitan area
I have a deep love for Jesus Christ & a passion for sharing it
I am willing to dedicate one day each week to four hours of student ministry
Staying Sharp
The COVE: Afterschool is certainly a program designed around the arts &, therefore, most attractive to students who have an interest in expressing their creativity through the variety of mediums available to them in our many art studios. However, our daily Bible study stands at the center of everything we do & aim to accomplish. We get right down to business at the start of every school year with a new curriculum focused on a single book—or even a single chapter—of scripture, as the Lord leads us. This year, we will be journeying through the book of Ephesians & taking a closer look at the ministry of Paul the Apostle.
To make this study more meaningful & personal, we would like to supply every student with their own copy of this beautifully illustrated, journalling book of Ephesians. If you would like to make a contribution, please tap on the link below to our Amazon wishlist where you can purchase one for only $4!
When you purchase a book(s), we will send you a photo(s) of the student(s) who received it so you can continue praying for their spiritual journey throughout the year!
Studios & Snacks & Supplies
Our primary focus at Afterschool will always be spiritual formation & the relationships we build with our students & their families. We believe creating space for young people to express their God-given creativity is an integral part of that mission. If you would like to help us serve our students by purchasing art supplies, essential tools, & new technology, the Amazon wishlist has a variety of items we could really use this year. Also, the importance of replenishing snacks & beverages cannot be overstated—These kids always come hungry!
Better Together
Our work in Pittsburgh is a wonderful gift. It’s surreal to reflect back on all the years we’ve had with our students; to marvel at how God took our meager offerings & used them in such miraculous ways. Yet, it was not simply our own efforts, but also the many faithful supporters who have stood by us & sewed into this ministry. As we look to the future, Brittany & I are doing everything in our power to work towards sustainability. This is a critical time for the organization, & we need your help now more than ever.
Partnership
We are praying earnestly for missions partners who are willing to commit to monthly giving. Every small amount has tremendous impact, as we believe God will multiply each gift according to His purpose. As little as $10 each month could truly tip the scales—& that’s less than the cost of your Netflix subscription! As a nonprofit, our organization is fully dependent on our donors. Please prayerfully consider signing up through our secure donor platform. If you would like to give another way, you can reach out to us in the very same section of our website:
September Story
Thank you for reading & following our story. I never get tired of telling it because I love being a part of it. Christian ministry is not as easy or glamorous as social media would have you believe—but it is so worth all the blood, sweat, & tears we pour into our offering when we are obedient to our Lord.
I look forward to sharing more about our summer activities & all that we have planned for the fall in next’s month’s newsletter. Stay tuned, & tell a friend!
In His Service,
The NoCo Team
Article written by Jordan A. King
