TEMPLE, Texas — Temple Independent School District’s Bonham Middle School welcomed a special group of visitors to campus as the school hosted a Pastor Walk on Tuesday (October 3).
Nearly twenty spiritual leaders from across the area were expected to spend time on the campus during the day, The faith leaders, representing a variety of denominations, had the opportunity to visit with students before school, during passing periods, and at lunch. The visit gave the spiritual leaders an opportunity to tour the campus, visit classrooms, and meet students and staff. But most importantly, the visit was also designed to show the students and staff that the Temple community is there to support the school district and all of those involved in the educational process. The Pastor Walk also gave students and staff a chance to reach out to community leaders and role models who would not normally be on campus.
“One of my children went to Bonham and this is a way for me to come back and say thank you to the staff because the people who work here truly do care about the kids,” said Heath Abel, paster of Covenant Lutheran Church. “The people who work here really need our support, but the kids also need to see adults who care about them at a time when life is changing pretty fast. I want the students and staff to know that they are not alone and a lot of people around them care about them and support them.”
“Our spiritual leaders are a big part of supporting our children, staff, families and schools,” said Dr. Bobby Ott, superintendent of Temple schools. “Today was an opportunity for spiritual leaders from across the community to be around students and staff at Bonham Middle School. They engaged with our students and staff as caring adults, while having the opportunity to tour the school. Many of our students and staff recognized these leaders, which enhances our overall caring culture and environment. Temple ISD is grateful for these men and women, and the genuine care they have for our youth and staff.”
The idea for the Pastor Walk originated last spring when a large group of spiritual leaders gathered at Temple High School. Administrators and the faith leaders both saw the impact that visit had on students and staff and decided to expand the visits to other campuses this school year to help strengthen ties between the schools and the community.
“I think this is everything, you know, just hands on, and let the kids know that we care about them,” said Margaret Pleasant, lead pastor at Saint James United Methodist Church. “We want them to know that we are here to support these teachers, these parents, and these students. and that we love them. I want them to know that God loves them and they can do this and just keep on trucking.”
The program will continue at the other secondary schools in Temple ISD later this school year. There are two more Pastor Walks scheduled for the fall semester and two slated for the spring semester.