I didn’t know what I wanted to be when I grew up, but when the time arrived, I set my sights on Army Officer Candidate School. On my application, I stated that it was important to me to fully believe in the organization I worked for, and to participate in activities that would be not only meaningful to me but would have a big impact on others and my country.

Fairly lofty conditions, considering the ink had barely dried on my college diploma and my only previous job experience had been at Winchell’s Donuts and A&W Root Beer. The Army showed me who was boss, though; I got commissioned, but in total disregard of my hard-earned journalism degree, they pronounced me a petroleum officer.

I’ve been thinking a lot about those Army days recently, probably because in the past year, my life has made another unexpected and dramatic about face. It started with a simple prayer prior to the 2010 Morning of Missions activity at the Texas Baptists Annual Meeting in McAllen: Let my morning’s involvement have an impact on others and myself that will last long beyond this day.

I ended up at a Books for the Border family reading fair and witnessed beginning home libraries—Bibles, health literacy books, story books, and bookcases—being given to families living in poverty. I met Literacy Connexus executive director and founder of Books for the Border, Lester Meriwether, who, after a moment’s introduction, asked if I would be interested in writing the planning guide for his ministry. Yes, Sir! Never had I been so certain of God’s immediate answer to prayer.

My biggest obstacles in attacking this assignment were knowing nothing about Books for the Border except for what I had seen that morning, and knowing even less about literacy missions ministry as a whole. But Lester was a veteran, and with his leadership–and a frontal assault on the internet–I managed to gain steady ground over the next couple of months.

I found a barrage of evidence pointing to the need for literacy ministry. More than 3.8 million adults in Texas possess a level of literacy inadequate to earn a sustainable living. Families in poverty often remain stuck, generation after generation, because homes without books produce kids who can’t read. If a child has scarcely, or never, been read to prior to kindergarten, he will likely start school behind his peers and lag even farther as time goes on. Kids in poverty often find themselves on a trajectory toward high school dropout, unemployment, crime, and lifelong struggle.

But there is a war being waged against illiteracy as a root cause of poverty, and as I became indoctrinated to the strategies employed by those on mission, I knew I wanted to enlist. I learned that effective ministry involves recognizing the gifts of every person and the assets of every community, and then using those strengths as a starting point. Effective ministry means understanding that all people are loved and gifted by God. With sensitivity and collaboration, we come alongside of those in need and work with them, not for them, to shore up their flanks. The results are sustainable solutions that will annihilate the cycle of generational poverty.

My tour of duty with Literacy Connexus has put me on soldierly alert to the pervasiveness of poverty and to the work to be done. I can see how my experiences in the military, raising a family, and serving in my church and community all combine to give me the skills needed to help me do this job. It’s exciting to me that God gives us the experience long before we know what it’s for, and the awareness and the passion at just the right time—and at Literacy Connexus, a generous dose of esprit de corps on top of everything!

God knew exactly what I would want to do when I grew up. And He had in mind for me the very things I mentioned on my OCS application—an organization I could believe in, meaningful activities, and the opportunity to impact others. The U.S. Army was merely the warm-up.

We are on the move.

As committed as ever to the needs of those along the border, we’re acknowledging that poverty exists beyond that region and throughout our state. Hence, and Beyond added to our moniker.

We’re matching, stride-for-stride, the direction of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship’s Together for Hope rural poverty initiative, in which our ministry is embedded. Initially focused on America’s 20 poorest counties, Together for Hope leads participating churches, groups, and individuals toward gaining a greater awareness of our biblical mandate concerning the poor, and implementing those lessons-learned in each home community.

As we move forward in 2012, addressing literacy needs on the border and in our own backyards, we fervently solicit your ideas for project expansion and effectiveness. Peruse our December 28, 2011 newsletter for more on the specific points we are pondering.

Here are a few of the exciting responses we’ve received so far:

• The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of South Carolina is gearing up for their first Family Literacy Fair. They asked three churches to build 10 bookcases each, and had another church catch the enthusiasm and build 10 more.
• A  Youth Leadership group in South Carolina donated $900 to buy health literacy books, Bible coloring books, and book bags. The youth have volunteered to help conduct the Literacy Fair.
• A South Carolina ladies’ missions group donated funds and books for the Literacy Fair. When one participant realized the children’s Bible she had brought was the Books for the Border and Beyond–recommended edition, she determined to buy 35 more for the project.
• Literacy First, Conroe, TX, gave bags of books to each child of the adult students in their ESL and GED classes this month. They provided additional bagfuls to Buckner Ministry’s Family Place.
• First Baptist Church Conroe got in on the action by contributing the homemade book bags.
• Habitat for Humanity in Conroe is adding bookshelves to new homes; Literacy First stocks them with books.
• Literacy First, Conroe, provides mentors to a nearby lower-income middle school,  and uses the opportunity to place books in the hands of students.
• Gideons International of Conroe has provided bilinear Bibles to the adults in the Literacy First program.

Inspire us with tales of literacy efforts in your community!

Psalm 92:14 reads Even in old age they will still produce fruit; they will remain vital and green. In October, Trinity Terrace Retirement Community yielded much fruit, as we made Books for the Border our fall mission project.

Trinity Terrace is not a faith-based community, but it is a community of many faithful people who care. As chaplain for the past five years, I knew our community would get behind Books for the Border, sharing our resources to make a difference. We have many retired educators, librarians, and community leaders who know well the value of early literacy.

Our retirement community has a woodworking group called Tinker’s Den–and they definitely go beyond tinkering, as they crafted 26 bookcases for our project. Other residents hit the bookstores, while others encouraged great grandchildren to donate from the books on their shelves. Still others gave generous donations to help purchase lumber and paint, and to buy additional books at the Friends of the Library sale.

Our project was a great success, as so many people were eager to help in whatever way they were able. It was exciting to see the bookcases and books grow to cover the entire front of the chapel. On the final Sunday, we held a Vespers service dedicated to a Blessing of the Books. It was a meaningful culmination of the retirement community and Books for the Border bearing fruit together.

Tricia Baldwin, Chaplain
Trinity Terrace, Fort Worth

Several years ago, at the Church Librarian’s Conference in Dallas, I came upon the Books for the Border display. I was intrigued.   After talking to Lester Meriwether for only a few moments, I was hooked on this program.  I was surprised to learn that seven Texas counties are on a short list of the poorest in our country. I was moved by the idea that education, access to books, and teaching families to read together are ways to end the poverty cycle. Lester used words like family libraries, literacy missions, and book fairs. Well, as an avid reader, a school and church librarian, and a Texas history teacher, I felt called to listen and respond.

God used that quick meeting to open my eyes to ways I could use my time and talents to serve Him and His people.  Enthusiastically, I came back to Tyler and my home church, First Baptist, with many ideas.  We were fortunate to have Rev. Scott Wiley on our staff who has a real passion for Family Ministry.  He and I worked together with Lester to plan a Books for the Border family mission trip to Starr county.  About 40 FBC members of all ages built book cases, held a Book Fiesta, passed out Bibles and books we had collected, and shared with many families the importance of reading aloud to children.  It was fun and fulfilling.

Since then, I have enjoyed working with Lester and other Literacy Connexus members to spread the word about this wonderful program. It is my dream to eliminate poverty in Texas by teaching families about the value of faith, reading, and education. I hope to motivate others to take the following simple steps to help eliminate poverty and illiteracy in our state:

1. Pray and listen to how God is moving you to use your talents and interests to serve others.

2. Contact Literacy Connexus and find out how easy it is to help get books into the hands of people who have none.

3. Take action!  Hold a book drive, collect money, build bookshelves, sit and read to a child, volunteer at your local literacy center. DO something!

Sarah Starr, Literacy Connexus Board of Directors

Tyler

Thank you, Texas Baptists men and women, for showing up in force to support the Books for the Border & Beyond preschool reading fair at City Church, Amarillo. Your enthusiasm for the project blessed 26 children, and equipped parents and families to read together at home.

Thank you, City Church, for allowing us the opportunity to serve alongside of you for one morning. Your ongoing ministry to the people of Amarillo inspires us.

At the reading fair, children progressed through three stations where they picked out books, were read to by  volunteers, and each picked out a colorful wooden bookcase to decorate with stickers. The children toted their books in cloth bags, funded by the Mary Hill Davis Offering for Texas Missions.

Literacy Connexus places books and Bibles in homes to encourage and equip parents to read to their children, and to give families access to God’s Word.

Our mission is helping churches help people with literacy needs.

We appreciate all who helped accomplish this mission in Amarillo.

My involvement in ESL ministry started with an invitation to “check us out.”

I had heard of internationals inside of their homes not having English to aid in shopping for groceries, helping with their children’s schooling, or making new friends. I had heard of refugees landing in our country and not knowing what to do with a stove or a refrigerator.  I felt God easing me into doing exactly what he needed, and showing me how to get involved.

It has been a blessing for over twenty-five years  to see changed lives in students that have become Christians and citizens, learned to drive and start businesses, and even published cook books.  Equally so, it has been exciting to see volunteers come into this ministry where they can make a difference and help change lives .

My involvement has been as teacher, director, San Antonio Baptist Association consultant, and ESL teacher/trainer for Literacy Connexus.

The RA’s of First Baptist Church Copperas Cove powered up their drills Wednesday night and assembled bookcases for preschoolers in Amarillo. In just over half an hour, 16 bookcases stood tall, adding to others built by the 5th and 6th grade boys’ Connection Group.

Twenty-six bookcases and beginning home libraries will be given to children and their families at a family reading fair at City Church on October 25. First Baptist Church’s Just Over Youth (J.O.Y.) group donated new and used story books for the event.

Boys + power drills = chaos

At one time, the measure of a class in English (or French or Spanish) as a second language was, “What do I know that I didn’t know before?” A better way to evaluate the experience is, “What can I do that I couldn’t do before?” For example, one ESL lesson might equip a student to make an appointment with a doctor. Another lesson might lead to parent-teacher conference participation at a local school. Using the pragmatic approach, effective ESL teachers impart both information and real life skills.

Similarly, effective websites offer information and application. As such, the new Literacy Connexus website provides information to help churches help people with literacy needs, and, at the same time, is a tool for accomplishing the task. Take a tour and learn how to:

• Build a bookcase
• Find local literacy resources
• Start a church-based literacy ministry
• Identify local and national legislators
• Impact your community 50 ways through literacy
• Advocate for persons with low literacy
• Pursue English as a Second Language training
• Donate
• Organize a family reading fair
• Connect with others involved in literacy ministry

Join Literacy Connexus in making a difference. Visit us often and get involved!

At the same time, we’re building on a strong foundation—to make it even stronger—on the ESL side of our ministry. ESL Coordinator/Trainer, Robin Feistel, provided seven sessions of new ESL teacher training across the state over the summer. Training opportunities for early 2012 are already in the works.

Finally, we are building a social media platform. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter as we put the word out regarding current projects and events—opportunities for you to join. And, lastly, in partnership with Andrew Maddox, aimdigitalmedia, we built this new website. Snoop around and tell us what you think!