Most parents know how scary high school years can be. An “anything goes” culture coupled with intense peer pressure can pull impressionable kids away from the values they are taught, sometimes with disastrous consequences.
In 2014 five Middleton High School moms began praying together for their kids: for God’s protection, for their faith to withstand the pressures of their high school years, and for their witness. When the kids were asked, “what do your friends think about what you believe?” they responded, “I don’t think they know what we believe.”
That response led the moms to begin thinking and praying about ways they could help their kids share their beliefs without being “weird”. And the Jesus Lunch was born. At first it was called Mama’s Lunches, but the students who came renamed it the Jesus Lunch, because that’s who they talked about.
In the Spring of 2014 the 10 students invited their friends to a free lunch and a brief spiritual talk in the open air pavilion across from the High School. The group meets for eight weeks in the Fall, and eight weeks in the Spring. The first week 40 students showed up, then 70, the next week, 100 students came. The five moms make all the meals, set the tables, arrange for the speakers and clean up, every week.
Last fall the word had spread (pun intended) and the first week 200 kids showed up, then 300, then 400-450 every week! That represents 25% of the Middleton High School student body, meeting every week for a free hot lunch and listening to a Christian message.
This year’s theme is Jesus Loves You. During the lunch the students are encouraged to discuss what they took away from the talk. Relationships are built with each other and with the moms who organize the lunches.
When others hear about the Jesus Lunches they want to help. The Gideons have provided New Testaments for every student, West Side churches help with money and volunteers, and Seacrest Apple Orchard in Door County provided 500 apples for the students.
Now with numbers pushing 500 every week, costs for the food alone reach $2000-$2500 every week. The Jesus Lunch fund raising strategy is word of mouth. This year the Madison Christian Giving Fund has granted $5000 to the Jesus Lunch to help pay for hot home made lunches for these students, and more importantly, to open doors to conversations about Jesus.
High School can still be a scary experience, but in Middleton it’s not quite as intimidating as it used to be, thanks to five courageous moms and the Jesus Lunch.
If you are interested in getting a Jesus Lunch started in your High School, or volunteering, please contact Beth Williams at 608-220-2551 or email her at don_bethw@hotmail.com. The next Jesus Lunch series starts on April 12 at the pavilion across from the Middleton High School.