Through their Creek Watering Oaks initiative, Walnut Creek Presbyterian Church (WCPC) inspires church members to serve vulnerable children in Oakland through partner organizations. On April 19th, the entire Sunday worship service and educational program focused on reaching “at-promise” youth living in Oakland. Children Rising was one of five partner organizations invited to participate, along with Points of Light, Harbor House, CityTeam, and Today’s Youth Matter. Pastor Larry Austin of Oakland City Church and the School of Urban Missions worship band led WCPC in Sunday worship.

After a rousing service, each partner organization spoke before the congregation, presenting opportunities to volunteer and serve. Church members were then free to speak individually with representatives of the organizations and identify ways to be engaged. The importance of community collaboration cannot be stressed enough. As Reverend Austin said in his sermon, “Programs make promises but it’s people who keep promises.”