DALLAS — The question "What would Jesus do?" is more than a slogan on a wrist band. Now, hundreds of Dallas-area churches have an answer.
From neighborhoods all over the city, they are coming together to solve problems in needy schools and neighborhoods.
The Pinkston High School band is in the midst of a revival, and so is the school itself. But the deteriorating paint in the band room shows it could use some help.
That help is about to arrive, from churches as diverse as Sheron Patterson's Methodist congregation in Oak Cliff, and Ron Scates' Highland Park Presbyterian.
"I think it's God's work," Patterson said. "It's really about time for this to happen in Dallas for us to come together, put our differences aside and work together for common goals."
These two churches are part of a growing movement called the Justice Revival, bringing 200 churches and organizations together under the auspices of the national Sojourners organization. It goes beyond big meetings to put faith into action at a dozen schools like Pinkston, where volunteers will paint the band room and transform three barren courtyards into places of pride.
"I think if the school looks beautiful, the kids feel like this is a place they can take care of and take pride in, in turn they will do better," said project coordinator Carlton Oby.
College logos in the stairways and a beautiful new teachers' lounge are examples of past help from faith-based volunteers. But the Justice Revival calls for sustained action.
"That's going to be a witness to the world the church is not going into 'circle the wagons' mode, but is answering Christ's call to be the church out in the streets," said Highland Park Presbyterian's Ron Scates.
Volunteers plan to descend on southern Dallas schools and neighborhoods this weekend, and they promise this is just the beginning.
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