Jesus At Work...

The Future of West Dallas

by Taylor Hatfield

Week four with the junior interns is underway. While each week has a structured schedule that looks the same as the next, there is a constant change in pace, experiences and events that leaves us in anticipation of all that is to come.

Tuesday is field trip day. Thirty-five high school students are loaded up, van by van and set out take on the city of Dallas. So far, we’ve ventured to Bonton’s Urban Farms, Watermark Church and The DEC. We have had the opportunity to hear about the start up of a non-profit organization and the transformation that is taking place in the community and lives of those who live within city limits as well as steps to take in order to be a great leader.

Yesterday’s field trip to The DEC was especially encouraging. The Dallas Entrepreneur Center (The DEC) serves entrepreneurs in the Dallas area, providing a location where they can receive training, education, mentorship, promotion and access to capital in order to equip the entrepreneurial community to start, build and grow their business. As a recent Texas A&M business school graduate, it was neat to have a taste of “the real world” and make connections between some of what I have learned through the years and what Mr. Trey Bowles spoke on as he encouraged the future leaders of West Dallas in entrepreneurship.

I am constantly blown away by the minds and hearts of these young leaders. Each of the junior interns has aspirations beyond anything I ever knew of at their age. As Mr. Bowles asked if there was anyone who desired to be an entrepreneur, hands shot up around the room – “a motivational speaker,” “a writer,” “a computer software engineer,” “an accountant,” “the founder of Fat and Fit, a two-in-one restaurant and workout facility.”

To hear of some of the students’ backgrounds in which they come from can often times be disheartening. But to hear of their goals and life-long dreams, our hope is restored at the transformation taking place in their lives - a hope restored by the saving grace of Jesus Christ. This world has no limitations against the plans God has for each one of them. They are the future leaders of West Dallas. They are set out to change the world one writer, one engineer and one motivational speaker at a time.