Spirit Alive: When You Pray for Children

Spirit Alive is a weekly blog that looks at different aspects of mission and ministry throughout the Oregon-Idaho Annual Conference and beyond.

December 1, 2015

Signs of Life:

Amazing Things Happen When You Pray for Children--

Laurelwood UMC becomes the Mt. Scott Learning Center

In 2012, Laurelwood UMC voted 4-0 to close. It was a long, drawn out  journey. The church had been faithful and committed over the years, but the congregation had shrunk to just a handful of people. Those remaining prayed for children, but the children did not come on Sunday mornings. However, beginning in 2004, Laurelwood UMC started leasing their building to an alternative high school. Over time the school, Mt. Scott Learning Center, grew into one of Portland's leading alternative programs for grades 7-12. The school "exists to provide an educational setting tailored to the special needs of students who struggle to fulfill their potential in the traditional school environment." In 2013, the church building was sold to the Mt. Scott Learning Center.

Mt. Scott Learning Center Today

Now, with over 150 students, Mt. Scott Learning Center has answered the church's prayer for children. The fruit of the school's labor is truly moving and inspirational.

Take a look at these powerful stories about the students and teachers who make Mt. Scott Learning Center such a special place. In a very real way, they  represent the fruit of Laurelwood UMC's prayers for children to come and enter their building.

Click here to learn more.

Laurelwood UMC's closure gave birth to something new. Often in the Bible, we are reminded that life is like seed that falls to the ground and dies. In its death, it produces not only fruit, but new seed as well. Today, the students of Mt. Scott Learning Center represent the seed of new life that is still housed in Laurelwood UMC.

Blessings on the journey,
Lowell

Spirit Alive is a weekly blog and email by Rev. Lowell Greathouse, Mission and Ministry Coordinator for the Oregon-Idaho Annual Conference. It seeks out where the spirit is alive in our congregations and communities.