Ben Hillyer

The Natchez Democrat

The requirements for being a member of the Robert Lewis Middle School mentoring team are simple.

Just be there.

That was the message Monday morning from bishop Melvin Jackson and a group of other local ministers, who have been coming to the school for the past three years.

Each Monday morning the group organizes a prayer circle around the flag pole before the school bell rings.

After school starts, team members look in on classes and provide an encouraging word to students between classes.

But, you don&8217;t have to be a minister to join, the group said Monday.

&8220;All you have to be is a concerned citizen,&8221; Jackson said.

&8220;We want to visible in their lives,&8221; the Rev. David Tarver said outside the school.

Tarver, the associate pastor of the First Assmebly of God, joined the group for the first time Monday after hearing about the group&8217;s efforts to provide a positive guiding force.

&8220;We want to make the children aware of their opportunities &8212; to see that there are people who care for them and pray for them everyday.&8221;

&8220;We hear too often from the students, &8216;Nobody loves me, nobody cares about me,&8217;&8221; the Rev. Clifton Marvel said. &8220;We are here to show them that somebody cares.&8221;

For the past three years, the group has provided a conducive environment for learning, Jackson said.

Throughout the week, members of the team mentor students, help build self esteem and spend time counseling outside of school.

But, more importantly, the team members just show up, smile and show the students that they are there to support them.

Every day the team tries to have a member present.

By there presence they not only encourage the students but also give time back to the teachers for teaching.

&8220;The more time for teaching the better it is for everybody,&8221; Jackson said.

But with 800 students to guide and mentor, the school mentoring team needs more members.

&8220;You don&8217;t know how much it means for a child to have a pat on the back and for you to say, &8216;Have a good day,&8217;&8221; Parent Center coordinator Marilyn Turner said to the ministers. &8220;The boys and girls are truly in need of you all.&8221;

&8220;We want to be the motivating factor for the children,&8221; Marvel said.

Occasionally the team members do address more complicated issues concerning children with behavior problems.

But the focus is always on the positive, Jackson said.

&8220;We want to send out positive vibes,&8221; he said the the group of ministers Monday. &8220;We want to try to get to the core of what is happening with them to change their behavior.&8221;