First St. John is home to a white congregation but is located in a neighborhood which has the highest density of low income African Americans in Butler County. The congregation is in a redevelopment process; their mission is to be a community where all are accepted and God’s nourishing love is lived and shared. First St. John is developing a partnership with an independent African American congregation, House of Deliverance, to identify and work with children who have a likelihood of perpetuating a culture of minimal education, early parenthood, low paying jobs, and dependence on government subsidies.

The congregations want to offer these children and youth the opportunity to become leaders and in turn mentors through martial arts classes offered by certified instructors. The grant will help provide compensation for the instructors.

Twice-a-week classes of about 15 students will learn compassion, respect, self worth, perseverance, anger management and focus.

As they achieve their goals, they move to a higher level. At level 3, they learn to pass on what has been given to them by raising funds for new students. The First St. John congregation will facilitate this phase. Paying back/passing on blessings allows for program growth at a reduced cost.

First St. John also has applied for Genesis and Neighbors in Need grants to help fund the first year of this new program. They anticipate receiving a second year Genesis award, a grant from the Hamilton Community Foundation and funds from within the congregation to support the second year of the program.

The congregation anticipates that the program will grow and garner community recognition and support after year two. They cite a similar ministry in Dayton, led by some of the same instructors, which tripled in class size in two years. They expect similar growth, community recognition, and additional prospects of funding.