Although students already have stocked up on school supplies for their first couple of days of school, they could also use a dose of encouragement to kick start their year.
Second Baptist Church hosted three days of events to inspire students returning to school. A Friday night youth revival featired a message by the Rev. Ciara Hardin, co-pastor of Lively Stone Church of God. On Saturday, the church held an ice cream social for its member and students share encouraging words with each other. The weekend of events ended with a closing Sunday message "Keep Rising" by Pastor Cornell C. Sudduth.
For their first weekend from school, some youth spent Friday night at the church, singing hymns, reciting scriptures and leading the congregation in prayer. With a retelling of the popular biblical story, "Daniel in the Lions' Den," Hardin pointed out that Daniel's challenges had helped him to know himself and to remain unchanged in the face of adversity.
Hardin addressed many common issues - jealousy, fitting in with others and facing challenges alone. "People may try to get you in trouble, but don't be afraid to be who you are," she said. "All you have to do is believe in who you are. Believe in yourself. Believe in what He put inside of you," she said.
Words of encouragement for the youth continued onto the following day at the Saturday ice cream social. Gwen Foster, president of the women's missionary union at Second Baptist, helped organize the events.
Many of the adults instructed students to be themselves, obey authority and their parents. They also urged students to have fun. Joe L. Simmons, former Lincoln University vice president of academic affairs and provost, was one of the many called upon to share a word of advice.
"Learn everything you can and all you can. Go back and be determined that you are going to be successful," he said.
Yet the adults were not the only ones with thoughtful words of wisdom. Darian "DJ" LaRue, 10, said people may want to make friends and fit in, but all they have to do is look up to God and pray. Further, he said, "There may be bullying going on. Always pray to God."
On Sunday, Sudduth delivered a sermon for students to rise over adversity. "Sometimes the things that lift you up will want to bring you down; just keep rising," he said.
Participating students added their own talents with the overall theme of "Keep Rising." Kierra Lindsey, a junior at Jefferson City High School, gave a rendition of the poem "Still I Rise" by Maya Angelou. Ending the special occasion was sophomore Karissa Hardway with her father Joseph Hardway in an harmonizing duet to the song "I Believe I Can Fly" by R-Kelly.