Look back: 2023 Missions Day Slideshow

Matt Comer   -  

On Saturday, Oct. 7, nearly 100 members and friends of St. Stephen gathered to serve during our annual Missions Day. Projects included service opportunities for Roof Above, Loaves & Fishes, Eastway Middle, and more.

A highlight of the day included a special project for Eastway Middle School. Members repainted the school’s lobby and a portion of the cafeteria. The school, located off Central Ave., an incredibly diverse corridor of businesses and neighborhoods and the heart of Charlotte’s vibrant immigrant community. The school is a new missions partner for St. Stephen.

The service project at the school was a full-circle moment for some St. Stephen members.

Today, Eastway Middle is home to one of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools’ most diverse student populations. Nearly two-thirds of its student population has a first language other than English. A total of 27 different languages from 29 different countries are spoken. Sixty percent of its students are Hispanic and 30 percent are Black.

In past decades, however, the neighborhoods around Eastway looked much different. Some St. Stephen members attended the school as children, including three — Carol L. Brian M. and Greg Y. — who served the painting project on Oct. 7.

St. Stephen is excited about our new partnership with Eastway Middle, as well as our continued, longstanding service partnerships with Loaves & Fishes and Roof Above.

Take a look back at our 2023 Missions Day with this photo slideshow…