USA (MNN) — The King’s Table Ministries works hard to serve special needs individuals and their families, and a part of doing this is through its ministry at Lincoln Schools, the Grand Rapids Public Schools’ special education campus.
Around Campus
The Lincoln Schools campus serves students ages 6-26 by teaching them a variety of skillsets unique to each individual including how to write their names, mathematics, and how to keep physically healthy, among numerous others.
Also, the school campus uses hundreds of clothing protectors to keep students’ clothes clean. But, at the end of the day someone needs to wash them. As part of the students’ learning experience, they help do the laundry, teaching them self-sufficiency and how to be part of their community.
On the campus, King’s Table Ministries helps in seven specific ways;
1. Providing clothing protectors (handmade by volunteers)
2. Providing a staff appreciation luncheon
3. Adopt/Sponsor-a-Family
4. The annual back-to-school carnival
5. School-Grounds Beautification (10-acres)
6. Connecting Families with Churches
7. Tea for Two
And, by just having an on-campus presence, doors are opening for King’s Table Ministries to show Christ’s love, build relationships through which the Gospel can be shared, and work in students’ lives.
“For instance, there was a situation where they had one of the girls with a need for shoes. They came to King’s Table and we were able to get somebody who could donate the funds to get this particular student some shoes,” Cathy Tyska, of King’s Table Ministries, explains.
“You know there’s always some benevolent needs, and the schools can’t always provide for those needs. So, the King’s Table Ministries can come in and fill some of those voids.”
But to keep up the work, King’s Table Ministries needs volunteers. Volunteers can be anyone from high school students earning hours for the National Honors Society to a grandparent with extra time on his/her hands and a kind, serving heart.
Lend a Helping Hand
To volunteer with the King’s Table Ministries, just contact Cathy Tyska at [email protected]. Tyska would love to talk more with those interested in volunteering, the opportunities to serve, and finding the right fit.
Another way to join the King’s Table Ministries in its work is coming this October. The King’s Table Ministries is hosting a fundraising dinner at Cornerstone University. Tickets can be bought for individual seats or entire tables (seating 6).
To learn more about this fall’s fundraising dinner, contact the King’s Table Ministries at [email protected] or call 616-648-4301.
Finally, pray for God’s provision for King’s Table Ministries of both volunteers and finances. Pray for society’s hearts and stigmas to change regarding special needs peoples, and pray for God’s love to shine through the King’s Table Ministries work.
To donate to the King’s Table Ministries, click here!
To contact King’s Table Ministries via postal service, use the following address,
PO Box 225, Ada, MI 49301
King’s Table Ministries: A Photo Essay
Welcome to Lincoln Schools, Grand Rapids Public Schools’ special needs campus. King’s Table Ministries serves on this campus, supporting and advocating for the students in various ways.
The Lincoln schools campus serves students ages 6-26.
Andrew, a student at Lincoln Schools, starts his days off in P.E., guided by his teachers.
Andrew, a student at Lincoln Schools, practices his motor skills by having fun with hula-hoops.
Andrew, a student at Lincoln Schools, squares up to shoot the basketball during his P.E. class.
Andrew, a student at Lincoln Schools, puts the ball in the basket during his free time in P.E.
Andrew, a student at Lincoln Schools, heads back to his classroom after participating in his morning P.E. class.
Andrew, a student at Lincoln Schools, gives his teacher a handmade card days before her retirement.
Andrew’s card, a student at Lincoln Schools, was creatively crafted to show his appreciation for his teacher.
Andrew, a student at Lincoln Schools, is directed in a mathematics assignment.
Andrew, a student at Lincoln Schools, is directed in a mathematics assignment.
Andrew, a student at Lincoln Schools, works to complete his mathematics assignment.
Andrew, a student at Lincoln Schools, works to complete his mathematics assignment.
Andrew, a student at Lincoln Schools, is instructed to practice writing his name.
Andrew, a student at Lincoln Schools, practices writing his name.
Andrew, a student at Lincoln Schools, practices writing his name.
Andrew’s finished assignment after practicing writing his name at Lincoln Schools.
Andrew, a student at Lincoln Schools, works to complete a matching assignment, helping his recognition skills.
Andrew’s, a student at Lincoln Schools, matching assignment’s theme was the 2016 Olympics.
Andrew, a student at Lincoln Schools, works to complete a matching assignment, helping his recognition skills.
Andrew, a student at Lincoln Schools, looks up from his matching assignment to survey the happenings in his class.
Andrew, a student Lincoln Schools, makes a silly face for his picture.
Andrew, a student Lincoln Schools, helps to switch laundry from the washer to the drier as part of his school day. At Lincoln Schools, students use hundreds of clothing protectors. To help teach responsibility and community, the students are required to assist in the washing and folding process for the clothing protectors.
Andrew, a student Lincoln Schools, helps switch laundry from the washer to the drier as part of his school day.
Andrew, a student Lincoln Schools, helps switch laundry from the washer to the drier as part of his school day.
Andrew’s hard work is rewarded by the industrial driers’ churning after helping switch laundry from the washer to the drier as part of his school day. After completing the task, Andrew returned with his teacher to his class at Lincoln Schools.
