Oaks of Righteousness

by Julie Rodgers

Gold and black balloons floated above every table at Mercy Street, and large banners hung from the rafters, saying: “Congratulations Mercy Street Graduates!” On May 12th, we celebrated the first class of seniors that had made the 8 year journey with their mentors—all the way from their scrawny little 4th grade days to the proud moment when they walked across the stage to receive their high school diplomas.

To an innocent bystander, it looked like a group of typical high school kids: fun-loving, care-free jokesters who are on a roller coaster catapulting them into college campuses and careers. But to Catherine Richards, Nathaniel Eubanks, Terese Stevenson, Alan Morrison, and a slew of other mentors, it was a group of young heroes who have persevered through countless obstacles during the past 8 years to arrive at this milestone—high school graduation.

Trey Hill challenged the students to remain planted in fertile soil, so they might grow into oaks of righteousness like those described in Isaiah 61. He said that in order for a tree to be successfully transplanted, it’s essential for some of the soil in which it was originally planted to be carried with the tree into its new environment. In the same way, our seniors will need to remain rooted in the rich soil that’s enabled them to flourish into the men and women they are today: their families, mentors, positive friendships, and (most importantly) their relationship with the Lord. He encouraged them to continue nurturing these relationships as they enter into the next phase of their lives, rather than cutting old ties and creating a whole new identity.

The students wrapped up the celebration with reports about where they will be going as they enter into the next phase of their lives. Most of them are college-bound, with some attending four year universities like UTA or TWU, and some phasing in slowly at El Centro or Mountain View Community College. Each one of them is thinking critically about the future, however, and each is grateful for those who have been beside them when the future didn’t look near as promising as it does today. We saw a glimpse of the dream of Mercy Street taking root at the graduation celebration, signs of a new generation of leaders slowly growing into oaks of
righteousness that will point our community toward a mighty Savior!

Graduating Senior Q & A Spotlight: Xaiver & Brent

by Brent Baker

1. What was your first impression of Xavier?

My first impression of Xavier was a big, quiet middle school boy (I looked “up” to him almost from day one…) who didn’t know how to interact well with strangers. And I could tell almost immediately I was perceived as a stranger. Though many of Xavier’s friends were involved in the mentor program, I could still tell it felt strange for him to have a mentor. Xavier didn’t reject me by any means, but he was slow to enjoy my company, questions, and role in his life.
Consequentially, one of my first goals as a mentor was to find out what role (1) Xavier wanted me to play in his life and (2) what role I needed to play in his life.

2. What is one of your favorite memories with each other?

One of my favorite memories with Xavier before his graduation weekend was the day we drove together to a campsite at a lake where Mercy Street was hosting an event. It was the first time
we spent an entire day together instead of a period of a few hours. I think Xavier was surprised I had decent taste in music and I learned that day that it was possible for an individual to have
a 12-dollar meal at McDonald’s (Xavier ordered four cheeseburgers and a milkshake and fries). Though that was a couple years into the mentorship program, it was truly the first time I sensed that Xavier actually enjoyed spending time with me. Though a friendship-relationship is not absolutely essential to a mentoring relationship, it sure does help build trust and secures the longevity of the relationship. If you can enjoy one another you can stick together much longer.

3. What has been most difficult about this relationship?

I work in with high school students as a major part of my job/career, so I am familiar with the age-barrier in mentoring relationships. But when you consider not only age-barriers,
but cultural-social barriers, it creates a more difficult situation. The cultural-social side is the tougher part because it means at no point in my life can I relate to some of Xavier’s everyday
circumstances. It’s one thing to say, “When I was your age I experienced that” and sense rolling eyes from a teenager. But it’s another thing to say, “At no point in my life have I known
what that is like” and sense rolling eyes from a teenager. Breaking through that cultural-social barrier has been more difficult. The teenager isn’t mature enough to know that you do not have to share common circumstances to relate to one another’s stories. So building that understanding and trust takes time, questions, and the mentor seeking to understand the mentee without necessarily receiving anything in return.

4. How has the Lord transformed you in this relationship?

I am convinced that whatever role I feel called to and find myself in, God is just as interested in what he is doing in my life as in the life of the person or group I am trying to reach and serve. I am no less God’s child than Xavier, and the care God has for him is no more or less than the care he has for me. So though this program may seem beneficial for the “recipient” and solely an act of service from the “donor”, the truth is much different. Giving away your life is just as important as gaining it from Someone else. And we are never more transformed to the image of Christ than when we offer our life for someone else. When we do that, it changes us.
Specifically speaking, I have seen myself become more patient in pursuing others through my relationship with Xavier. Many say you care about someone as you share things in common, and there is truth in that. But I personally have learned to care for someone with whom I have little in common. And it reminds me of the patient pursuit and love of God for me. Xavier, in this sense, has been my mentor.

5. Favorite thing to do together?

Xavier and I love to eat hamburgers and fries, go to Best Buy, talk about football, and even dream about what his future might look like (though I probably enjoyed that aspect more than he did).  Continue Reading...