They began to arrive at the church premises as early as 7 am. Men, women, professionals, medics and artisans. Children and teenagers were not left out too. They came sporting their “New Zion Volunteer” Tee shirts.

They were all drawn together by one desire; TO BE AGENTS OF COMMUNAL CHANGE AND TRANSFORMATION.

It was a nice and sunny day with some overcast (just as the churches had prayed) when New Zion along with some other area churches descended upon 5 area schools to weed, mulch and provide a better learning atmosphere for the children in our community.

Gill Keyworth from the Emmanuel Episcopal Church was the key facilitator of the event.

The churches fanned out variously, worked, sang and prayed blessings upon these area schools.

One member said “This is the first time I would ever do something like this and I am glad I came. I felt such a strong sense of significance, I felt like the Lord was working through me to be a blessing” Another member asked “Why didn’t we think of this before now?”

This event was a tangible act of kindness from the Body of Christ on the west side of Houston without expecting anything in return.

In addition, on Tuesday, August 15, 2006, Pastor Joe and Sister Cherri Gaines from New Zion on behalf of area churches delivered a significant amount of school supplies to Thornwood Elementary School.

Thornwood is the only At-Risk school in the Spring Branch Independent School District. The school had a 78% student turnover in the past school year.

Family instability in the families of the attending kids is so endemic that the principal is asking area churches to look into the situation and provide some help and support.

Pastor Don Keathley who worked vigorously and tirelessly with wheel barrows, shovels etc said “Our prayer is that through this act of kindness, attention will not be drawn to New Zion but to Jesus and our city will begin to see our Savior and His Church in a new light”

Please continue to pray that God will lead area pastors and provide wisdom on “What Next?” concerning this growing movement on the west side of Houston.