The school year should begin with backpacks, sharpened pencils and the laughter of children chasing dreams. But in our community, the first week has already seen law enforcement responding to multiple calls of possible school violence (a special thank you to Sheriff Cook and our officers). The halls meant for learning have become battlegrounds of fear. And the question echoes: What has happened to the joy of childhood? 

Hebrews 12:14, gives instructions concerning the direction we should follow in dealing with others. “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.”  The clear path should be “following” peace and a high moral conduct with God as the standard of right and wrong. 

This is not just a call to students — it’s a call to families, churches and neighborhoods. Peace is not passive. It must be pursued. It must be taught. It must be lived. 

A wake-up call for families 

Our children are not just facing academic pressure—they are navigating bullying, social media chaos and the threat of violence. Parents, this is your moment. Speak life into your children before the world speaks fear. Pray over them before they walk out the door. Teach them that love is stronger than hate, and that Christ is greater than chaos. 

 “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” —Proverbs 22:6  

A community challenge 

We must not wait until tragedy strikes to care. Let us be proactive in creating safe spaces—in classrooms, homes and playgrounds. Let our words be gentle. Let our actions be protective. Let our presence be a shield. 

“Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.” —Matthew 5:9 

The church must lead 

This is the church’s hour—not to retreat, but to rise. We offer more than programs. We offer hope. We offer Christ. Let our sanctuaries be places of refuge. Let our pulpits speak truth. Let our hands reach out to hurting families and confused youth. One of the challenging issues within the Family of God, as within the Family, is that “tough love” sometimes needs to be employed for the protection of the other children. Church shootings are becoming as common as schools and malls. Violence has entered the most sacred of places.  

“The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.” —Proverbs 18:10  

A call to calm, love and peace 

Let us return to what school should be: a place of growth, laughter and discovery. Let us return to what homes should be: havens of love and instruction. Let us return to what the church must be: a lighthouse in the storm. 

The answer is not found in fear, but in faith. Not in panic, but in prayer. Not in violence, but in the Prince of Peace. 

Let us walk together—families, teachers, officers and pastors—toward a better tomorrow. The children are watching. Let them see Christ.