Local High School has lower dropout rate

This story was shared with me. It was part of a confidential report so I have removed the specific town and school. If you are interested in details feel free to contact me.
_________

Three years ago approximately 60 pastors from many denominations and several ethnic backgrounds, publicly signed a city covenant of affirmation in the presence of the Mayor and a stadium full of baseball fans which publicly proclaimed their unity in Christ. Since then, more than 100 pastors have signed the covenant as a sign of the reconciliation God has brought between all racial and ethnic groups who stand together in Christ.

Their unified impact was felt in the local schools. Beginning with the High School, where there was a dropout rate of 70% in 2002, pastors approached the principal with a plan. Before and after school, they would prayer walk the campus. The principal welcomed them on the campus. Through their presence and prayers, they got to know the students and their needs. As they prayed on the campus, they found students who wanted prayer. As they discovered the needs of students through these requests, in addition to praying, they connected students with tutors and other services to address their needs. The result was that in 2003 the dropout rate fell to 20%; in 2004 the dropout rate fell to 10%; this school year (2004-2005), there have been no dropouts.

As other principals in the area heard about the success of this effort, they too, asked for pastors to prayer walk their campuses. Today, fifteen Junior and Senior High School campuses in this town have pastors prayer walking the halls and grounds and reporting impressive improvements as a result. A waiting list of schools has developed as invitations have outstripped the ability of these pastors to cover all the campuses. We suggested that they develop a training system to empower the people of their churches to serve as their designated representatives so that all campuses who want prayer walkers can have teams there.