THE CROSSING WEEKLY

What is your role at the Learning Center and what does it look like?

I am staff minister, staff pastor, and the liaison between The Crossing Life Church and the Learning Center… I oversee to make sure that the center director and the facilities are complying with the principles of the church, praying, biblical curriculum, things like that. I make sure all the paperwork is done correctly for the state, making sure immunization shots, registrations, teacher physicals and credentials are in place for the state… A lot of it is coming alongside my center director and encouraging her, being with her and supporting her… For example, today I went down and I walked around and asked all the teachers how they were doing, if they needed prayer, if they needed help with anything… I mediate between many situations that come up and I’m available wherever there is need to help.

Whats your main driving passion behind what you do with the learning center?

I saw a need at one point — truthfully — and I filled it… I saw the principle behind knowing how to invest in a young child’s life from the very beginning. I found how that (investment) was important instead of waiting to get them when they are a teenager. My heart is to see these kids get really loved on with the love of Christ, being prayed over and having life spoken over them… They pray before meals, pray for each others boo-boos… We have a lot of parents that come back saying ‘they prayed for me!’ We teach them scripture and that can be hard because they are kids, but they are always listening and learning… We are one of three faith-based centers in the area, so we offer something that most don’t.

Do you find that a lot of parents are looking for a faith based center?

I find that a lot of parents will come and find that we are faith-based and really like it. They like the idea of it; they may not see it as a biblical or religious thing, but they see it as morals and teaching good principles and they appreciate that. I think it makes them feel like their children are safer… Through the years, there have been comments of parents mentioning that specifically. We’ve had some that have been coming since they were babies and they are still coming… I tell my teachers that we get these kids for a short time and what an influence that can be. We also have the permission to speak the name of Jesus.

Have you had any kids come back and say what an influence you guys were to them?

Yes. We had one little girl who was with us… Every Pumpkinfest, the family comes because they live in Windham and she will come up and talk to us. She’ll tell us what she’s up to (she’s in the public school’s now), and she’s so big, but she remembers. Her mom and dad are so grateful… Or people will come and visit and we will remember them and they will come running to see us (or vice versa)… But this is what’s important, because just like Basecamp, I tell anyone: You are an influence and what you say is going to be remembered for years to come so make it count. What you do now goes into eternity. I believe that to be true. 

Who influenced you growing up that made you want to be the person you are today?

One of my good friends, Peggy, was one of the beginners in Youthstorm… She was an influence because she was a teacher in the Tewksbury Public Schools for years. And She worked with special needs kids and she always gave me perspective on different things even when I didn’t want to hear it… There were times I’d get irritated and she’d help me to see that sometimes it’s something that cannot be helped… She’d give suggestions on how to handle situations better, things like that… Good feedback… She’s more like a mentor to me in that sense and I always keep in touch with her… Kathy Lebreque, too. The grace she had, working in the public schools. She was a huge help in how to understand and do a better job with what I was trying to do.

Is there anything you want to say to anyone aspiring to teach at The Windham Crossing Learning center?

I think our learning center is one of the best around in the sense that we are very compassionate and understanding. We are flexible and understand life. We work hard to make sure teachers are comfortable, but we also expect them to do their job and listen to the expectations we want to set for our children and to love on those children. The kids do feel loved. I want to get a really great staff and I see this place as a place that is so desired, like a lighthouse, because of the anointing of Christ in it.