Mission Georgia exists to mobilize Georgia Baptist churches to penetrate their communities and make a gospel impact for the cause of Christ.
Read Georgia, one of the ministries of Mission Georgia, is a program where churches partner with local schools to work one-on-one with children on their literacy skills.
Ultimately, the goal is for children and their families to be introduced to gospel.
‘Crucial time’
Beth Ann Williams, lead strategist for Georgia Baptist Women/Mission Georgia, explained, “Read Georgia is encouraging churches across the state to connect to elementary schools to help 2nd graders learn sight words. During this crucial time in a child’s development, church volunteers are spending one-on-one time with students who need extra help.
“Through relationships that are being built, students and families are being invited to local churches for year-end celebrations. As a result, families are learning about Jesus and experiencing firsthand the love of Christ. No-cost resources like the Read Georgia product are helping do just that.”
One of the Georgia Baptist churches that has become a model for Read Georgia is First Baptist Church Statesboro. “The Read Georgia program was introduced at a Mission Georgia conference, and several of our members felt it was a good fit for our church,” said pastor John Waters.
“We have developed a good working relationship with our school system over the past several years,” Waters noted, “and this opportunity felt like a natural next step. It allowed us a chance to serve students and mobilize our members in a way that made a measurable impact while providing an opportunity to demonstrate our faith in Christ.”
He added, “This project was embraced as a ministry of our church where members could serve in our local community in a tangible way. Some of the participants weren’t serving in other areas, so this provided a perfect opportunity for them to use their skills and gifts for ministry.
Monica Lanier is the lay leader for Read Georgia in Statesboro. After spending 11 years in the classroom, she became a consultant and director of the Educational Training Center at First District Regional Educational Service Agency and ultimately went back to the school system as a district administrator.
Lanier recalled first hearing about the initiative through her church’s former children’s minister, Susan Allen.
“I heard of Read Georgia a few years ago,” Lanier said, “but at the time we didn’t feel it was a responsibility we were prepared to assume.” When the topic resurfaced in 2023, she began discussing the possibility with several church members to gauge interest.
Turning point
The turning point, Lanier noted, came when their church hosted the “Love Your Neighbor” conference in March 2024. “Several of our interested church members attended the Read Georgia session to get more information. When we met as a group afterward, we knew it was something we at least wanted to attempt.”
A period of prayerful consideration confirmed what they already felt, Lanier said. “This was something the Lord wanted us to do. The Lord laid the foundation for us. He put all the right people in the right places. It helped to have previous relationships in the school system. God put it into the hearts of our people to become involved in this initiative.”
They initially hoped for 10 to 15 volunteers, but the response exceeded expectations. “When almost 100 people showed up to our first information meetings, we knew the Lord was in it,” she said. “We have been full steam ahead since then.”
By the end of the year, 63 students had participated in the Read Georgia program at their church. Lanier said the team included 32 tutors and 12 substitutes who stepped in when regular tutors were unavailable. The effort, she noted, was supported by 13 individuals who committed to praying throughout the year.
“The tutors not only helped the students to learn sight words,” Lanier said, “but gave them the opportunity to have a long-term relationship with a caring adult other than the teacher. The students felt special that they were chosen to participate in the program. They gained self-confidence, and their classroom performance improved significantly.”
One of the classroom teachers assessed the Read Georgia program in this way. “These ladies and gentlemen were the hands and feet of Jesus. They brought so much joy to my students just by walking in and being interested in them. Each of the tutors in my class formed a beautiful bond with each of the students. My students really looked forward to their time with their ‘Heart Word Helper.’ I deeply appreciate how each of these tutors poured their hearts into these boys and girls. They showed up for these kids and made a life-changing difference in their lives. I appreciate their willingness to do this.”
Waters reported that students averaged more than a year’s growth in reading skill, and in one case, a student showed three years of improvement.
“At the end of the year, we hosted a celebration event at our church where students and families received a Bible, free books, and heard a gospel presentation,” Waters said, and the church used the event to introduce other aspects of its ministry to the families of the students who were involved in the Read Georgia program. “Given the date of the celebration event, we were also able to steer them to Vacation Bible School, which is another opportunity for engaging them with the gospel.”
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by J. Gerald Harris and originally published by the Christian Index.
