MIDLAND, Texas — Students at Midland Christian School took a step out of the classroom this week to serve the community.
MCS partnered with Christmas In Action for 16 projects to help repair homes of elderly and disabled residents, and there is significance behind their service.
“I feel like it’s a lot more than just painting a house," said Ella Balchus, a ninth grade student at Midland Christian School.
Midland Christian students – ranging from 6th to 12th grade – doing more than just painting.
“We’re taking out their trash, we’re cleaning up their house, we’re giving them more space in their backyard," Ella said. "Cutting down the overgrown trees and taking out the weeds, just really cleaning it up and making it to where they’re able to live there – make it habitable.”
Ella is just one of many students who are a part of this opportunity, says MCS Minister and Teacher Kresha Grizzard.
“Their eyes are just kind of opened to more in our community of needs that need to be met of maybe people that aren’t able to get out and do these things that we’re able to do and bring our students to be a part of," Grizzard said. "And so, truly just allowing them to step outside the four walls of the school and serve with their hands and feet literally.”
Midland Christian has had a service day in the past. In 2024, a mission week has allowed them to serve even more, says Director of Operations with Christmas In Action Nathan Knowles.
“It’s just great to see the kids get to be able to take a full week and take on more than just a quick painting job," Knowles said. "This way they get really invested in the house and they’re really proud of their work and they’re getting to learn new skills and new things that they haven’t been able to do in the past, and kind of give them an idea of what it really takes to take on a project like this.”
Students giving houses a makeover.
“They just want to go above and beyond," Grizzard said. "They have really bought in and poured their heart and soul into every house we’ve done, every project we’ve done and it’s been really special to see them kind of be like ‘wow, we had no idea that there were these needs.’ One of the students yesterday said ‘we had no idea that this was really a need in our community and now we’re getting to be a part of it.’”
Serving the community through faith.
“God has really just blessed us and now we’re being able to use that to bless others," Ella said.
And creating a lasting impact one brush at a time.
“It’s special to help people who you know can’t do it themselves…it’s a good feeling,” said Channing Belcher, a seventh grade student at Midland Christian School.
"I agree," Ella said. "It makes you feel like ‘oh…I'm making a difference in the world. Like it’s one house, but it’s also…changing these people’s lives.”