Go Beyond

Soon after coming to Kingsland to begin my service as Missions Pastor, my friend Jim Herrington told me about a young man who was starting a ministry to at-risk kids in Houston’s Third Ward. A few days later I met Mike Malkemes, an ex-Marine who was committed to making a difference in the lives of children living in one of Houston’s toughest neighborhoods. Our missions ministry helped Mike to rebuild and furnish a building in the heart of the Third Ward — an initiative that took us a little more than a year to complete. But, it was worth every dollar and every volunteer hour invested. This building now serves as the base camp for Generation One, the name of Mike’s ministry. God has blessed Mike’s various initiatives to reach urban kids over the past few years. And now, God has given Mike and his wife Kenzie another God-sized vision — starting Generation One Academy.

OG | Mike, why do you and Kenzie feel led to start Generation One Academy?

MM | We believe that in order to end generational poverty we have to begin with a child at age 2.5 and provide love and education throughout their formative years. We also see great value in working with and positively influencing the kids 50-60 hours a week versus our average of 10-12 hours a week.

OG | What kids do you hope to reach through the academy?

MM | We hope to reach the kids that are on the margins, the ones that are falling through the cracks. Kids that can do well, when given the chance and encouragement. And also the kids that aren’t on grade level due to no fault of their own.

OG | Where will you hold your classes?

MM | Our classes will consist of 12 students, a teacher, and a teacher’s aid. Each classroom will be placed in a different church in the community.

OG | Who will teach the children?

MM | We have hired 3 veteran and very qualified teachers and a principal to teach the first 3 classes. We are thanking God for the Dream Team He has provided!

OG | Where will your funding come from?

MM | 100% of our funding comes from individuals, churches, and foundations.

OG | You recently applied for a $50,000 grant. What are the requirements for getting this grant and how can people help get the word out about how to vote for Generation One in order to increase the possibility that Generation One Academy will receive this grant?

MM | Its all about votes!  Everybody needs to go to this link: http://lovealocalbusiness.intuit.com/business/Generation-One-Inc/123421?vtid=email_conf_manual_sbo or find it on our Generation One website and vote, then get as many people as you know to vote as well, including business and church networks, family, and friends. We may call on you again to vote in the Pepsi Challenge if we get accepted this next round! Also all you Facebook people, please find and ‘like’ Generation One!

Note | Kingsland’s missions ministry has scheduled two Summer of Service initiatives to help Generation One this summer. On Wednesday, August 3, we will collect school supplies to fill 300 backpacks for kids in the Third Ward. On Wednesday, August 10, we will collect books for the Generation One library and for school libraries in the Third Ward. Please contact our missions office for more information on how you can get involved.