Nocona teens know where to go for ‘soul food’_50304

Posted: 5/03/04

Nocona teens know where to go for 'soul food'

By Jo Gray

Special to the Baptist Standard

NOCONA–On any given Tuesday, about one-third of the students at Nocona High School can be found at church–eating lunch.

Nobody at First Baptist Church of Nocona recalls exactly when the congregation launched its free lunch program to attract high school students.

But until she stepped aside earlier this year, Cathy Lilley was part of it for as long as anyone could remember–17 years.

“It started through summer activities geared at acquainting young people with church,” Lilley said.

Those first lunches were held in the basement of First Baptist, with members of Bethel Baptist Church providing food every-other-Tuesday, timed to coincide with the local high school's lunch period.

Soon, it became obvious students could just as easily assemble at Bethel Baptist, so the schedule was fixed for alternating Tuesdays.

“Back then, we averaged 15 kids,” Lilley recalled. “The attendance began to increase. As more students participated, it became apparent it was almost cost-prohibitive. We invited other churches to help out.”

Now, seven Nocona churches participate in the program during the school year–First Baptist, Church of Christ, Bethel Baptist, First Assembly of God, Central Christian, First United Methodist and the local Catholic church. The last three churches alternate when a fifth Tuesday occurs during the month.

Students gather at First Baptist on the first Tuesday of each month, Bethel Baptist the second Tuesday, and so on. Many of them drive their own vehicles. For those who don't, a church van or bus provides free transportation.

Of a total enrollment of approximately 250 students in the local high school, an average of 70-90 attend the lunches on a regular basis. As many as 120 have attended.

“Attendance sort of drops off this time of year with all the end-of-school activities,” Lilley said.

While students may come for the free food, they also receive “food for the soul” through brief devotionals.

“We don't want there to be any barriers, any expectations on their part,” said Dave Woodbury, youth pastor at First Baptist.

“Our ministry is to share the love of Christ. This is the perfect opportunity to do that. We can show them how much God loves them … how much we love them by providing a free meal and a short devotional.”

Woodbury said he tries to teach the young people they are the true ministers when they are among their peers. Many of them have invited friends to take part in the meal program.

One senior said his cousin invited him. He could not recall ever being in church before and was “hanging around on the street messed up on alcohol and drugs.” He credits the free lunch program with changing his life.

“God moved in my life and lifted me up,” he said. “I learned I didn't have to do it by myself. Now, I have new friends to help me out.”

Another said she felt an atmosphere of love when she attended the lunches.

“We know we are welcomed here,” she said. “We are not judged. You can come feeling really down, but when you leave, you will always feel better.”

Several factors make this program successful year after year, organizers said. The menu includes foods the teenagers like, such as tacos, burgers and fries.

And while they may receive a message, they are never “preached at.”

So why do some of the students attend the lunches but still don't attend church?

One student described it as peer pressure: “They can come here to get the word of God, without the fear of being seen going into a worship service.”