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Boys and Girls Homes of North Carolina, Inc. |
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"Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not; for such is the Kingdom of God." - Mark 10:14 |
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Click on the following links to view additional pictures of the chapel, its construction and activities. |
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Return to home page | Return to Childcare page | Calendar - Chapel The first Chapel Service Jan. 13, 2002 | Chapel construction pictures | Return to Inside Our Home page |
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What are we doing for the children's spiritual lives? |
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From its very founding, Boys and Girls Homes has recognized the
importance of the spiritual development of children and has always included a
spiritual care dimension in its program of care. Boys and Girls Homes has
always encouraged the children to attend church services weekly and when
appropriate, the specific church left to the child. The children also
participate in other church programs and youth activities. The Leamon Rogers
Memorial Chapel, dedicated
September 30, 2001, and its chaplain, allows the children to participate in church programs with each
other and without leaving campus. Interdenominational services give the
children opportunities for worship, Bible study, and learning Christian
values. Spiritual activities take place throughout the week for staff and
children alike. The children also learn the importance of personal church
attendance and participation. A part of the overall childcare program, the
chapel ministry seeks to give the children inspiration to make spiritual growth
a way of life beyond Boys and Girls Homes, and information to choose a
denominational setting (be it Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, Episcopal,
Catholic, etc.) for that growth to occur. Though the chapel does not replace the local church in the lives
of the children, it provides a focal point for activities which contribute to
their spiritual growth and development
The Spiritual Pillar Jesus teaches that a wise man builds his house on the rock. That rock is the spiritual pillar that holds our lives in place. Boys and Girls Homes through the Leamon Rogers Memorial Chapel, seek to help our children take hold of that pillar for their own lives. Our chapel ministry utilizes worship, Bible study and preaching, fellowship, mentoring, and hands on ministry opportunities to engage the children in the rock of the Gospel. The following are a few of the Chapel activities.
Worship Sunday morning at 9 a.m., the entire campus is invited to gather for worship. The children volunteer to lead the worship service through drama, choir, scripture reading, prayer, serving as ushers or acolytes, and operating the sound and light systems. Some children have even delivered the message!
Vespers Sunday evening at 6:00 p.m. the children gather again for a service of Bible study and prayer. The lower chapel windows depict stories from the Bible. At each Vespers service, the children take a different window and study the Bible story that inspired its construction. This give the children a general overview of the entire scope and history of the Bible.
Wednesday Night Fellowship Wednesday evening the campus gathers, along with many employees and guests to share a meal. The evening begins by the blessing of the meal, led by a residents. After the meal, the children enjoy a time of fun and games, or a creative and interactive Bible study.
Choir No chapel would be complete without music! The chapel choir assists in worship leadership on Sunday mornings through special music and congregational singing. At times, the choir has performed out in the community.
Mentoring Vital to the overall ministry of the chapel, the mentoring program pairs our children with members of the community. The mentors model Christian virtues and successful lifestyles. They also serve as a nurturing, loving, and stabilizing force in the lives of our youth. Discovery Group Resource Library Personal Commitment |
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The Chapel's beauty is enhanced by several stained glass windows. Among them are Moses parting the Red Sea (left) and Noah on the Ark (right). |
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while residents of Boys and Girls
Homes. Chapel services are open to members of the community and this
provides important interaction between the children and community members.
Children, especially teenagers, are strongly attracted to music,
and music is a significant element in religious experience and expression.
The chapel provides facilities for expanded opportunities for the children to
participate in music, especially through the chapel choir. Opportunities
for involvement in musical/drama productions are also ministries
of the chapel. At left, members of the Boys and Girls Homes Chapel Choir prepare
to sing as a part of the dedication service for a local Habitat for Humanity
project. The children contributed $600 toward the project that came from
their chapel offerings. Additionally, seven members of the B&GH family
(including residents and teaching parents) actively participated in the
construction of the Habitat home.
