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As gang violence gripped the cities of Little Rock and North Little Rock in 1986, a group of local church leaders gathered to pray about what to do. They were led to start a ministry in Eastgate Terrace, a neighborhood so rough that even local police were afraid to enter. From that, STEP Ministries was created in 1987 as a Biblical-based mentoring program funded by local partner churches to invest in the lives of inner-city children in Central Arkansas.
Today, STEP Ministries has grown to include programs throughout the year. During school months, they have an average of 80 elementary through high school aged kids. The three-week-long summer program has 50 kids. Each child is matched with an adult volunteer mentor. The matching is done with the mindset of initiating a committed and long-term relationship between the mentor and the mentee. More children could be served if there were more adult mentors.
A typical evening at STEP includes a structured one on one Bible study along with a rotation of games, crafts and life skills training. Mentors guide the kids through the process of strengthening their faith, establishing traditional family values, and creation of a plan for future living that honors God.
“Perhaps the easiest way for me to fulfill the Christian mandate of loving my neighbor and making disciples is mentoring at STEP. Before mentoring I was overwhelmed by the idea of doing it, now I am overwhelmed by how rewarding the one-on-one relationship is for me and my mentee. I highly recommend STEP Ministries.” – Anthony K. Valley, STEP volunteer
STEP changes lives for the better. Travis, a former mentee in STEP, has an encouraging trials-to-triumph story. Travis endured numerous hardships throughout the majority of his young life. He was paired with a mentor who was committed to him and loved him. Travis’ mother was unable to care for him properly, and he ultimately went to live with his mentor. Through the guidance of his mentor, Travis was the first college graduate in his family. Seeing the importance of higher education, he pursued advanced studies and obtained an MBA. With these new doors of opportunity opened to him, he is now a staff manager at a multinational corporation.
“Good mentors don’t view themselves as ‘rescuers’, they simply understand that less experienced persons in tough situations need someone who will listen, love, and care for them.” – Phyllis Harvey, Mentoring Coordinator for STEP Ministries
Each STEP mentor/mentee meet one day a week for one and a half hours during the school year. People with a heart for loving a child through mentoring can get involved by visiting the STEP Ministries website or calling 501-758-4054. If God is tugging at your heart to serve as His ambassador in helping kids develop a relationship with Him, please give STEP a call.
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