Uniforms: They're elementary

DALLAS - Join Texas Baptists, Dallas Baptist Association and First Baptist Church in Dallas as they partner to provide uniforms and Bibles for every student of George W. Truett Elementary School.

The three partners are working together to raise $15,000 to provide a uniform and Bible for each of the more than 1,000 students enrolled at the school, which is named after a legendary Baptist statesman and former pastor of First Baptist Church.

The uniforms would be a significant to help to area families, said Texas Baptists Executive Director David Hardage. More than 96 percent of Truett Elementary students are economically disadvantaged. Nearly 70 percent of the student body is considered "at-risk."

This is precisely the type of ministry Texas Baptists want to encourage, Hardage noted. The convention is deeply rooted in Texas as well as in Scripture, which teaches Christians to share the gospel and meet people's needs.

"Our Texas Baptists convention, in partnership with our friends at the Dallas Baptist Association and the First Baptist Church of Dallas, are providing school uniforms for the students at the George W. Truett Elementary School in East Dallas.," he said. "It's just a simple but sure way to let our neighbors know we love and care for them. And, it'll certainly be a benefit to the students and their families."

The initiative is the latest part of Dallas Baptist Association's connection with the school.

"Our Family and Community Ministries Director Jana Jackson arranged last year for some of us on the DBA staff to be reading mentors at Truett Elementary," said DBA Executive Director Bob Dean. "It was not only a great blessing to work with the students, but we saw how great the need was at this school. We began to pray that God would send churches and partners to help meet some of these needs. In May, Michael Fore (FBC, Dallas), David Hardage, and some of us on the DBA staff met with Principal Smith. We asked him this simple question: how can we serve George W. Truett Elementary? Jon suggested that we provide school uniforms for students, many of whom are refugees and live in poverty. Also, he showed us one of the school's courtyards and asked if we might be able to provide an outdoor classroom space for innovative teaching. God is answering that prayer!"