WE APPRECIATE YOUR FINANCIAL SUPPORT
Hope in Christ
World Changers
Service, Leadership and Learning Explorations for 13 Select Students
Gaston Hope in Christ, which has offered award-winning tutoring for 25 years, provides a summer leadership, service, learning, and fun experience for 13 rising 5th-9th grade (in 2025-2026) students.
We recognize that while there are activities, summer leadership, learning, and service opportunities are limited, and some students want to learn and grow in the summer. So we developed World Changers.
Now in its fourth year, World Changers prepares students to be agents of change in our community, to connect with leaders, mentors, and others to grow and improve their character, competency, and leadership for life.
Our staff and volunteers engage students with:
Service Opportunities to help others each week
An interview with a community leader each week
Significant trips and experiences in the area for learning and fun.
Directed and Selected reading time and participation in the library's summer reading program
Interactive learning games, foundational reading and math exercises, and educational experiences aimed at enhancing character, study skills, and academic growth.
Mentoring Relationships that can provide another caring adult in lives and possibly become a lifelong support.
This is designed for a select group of students transitioning into 5th-9th grade, ensuring their social, character and academic needs are met in a supportive and engaging environment. We want students who want to learn and grow, help others, and learn about our community.
Students and parents will have Interviews after applying. Our goal is to make sure we all understand what is involved before selection so that we have the right students to succeed in our program.
Applications will be open on March 31. Interviews will be May 13-15, and the final selections will be announced on May 19.
For more information, contact Gaston Hope in Christ. Email Joe@GHiC.us. Phone 980-785-4442 Tuesday through Thursday, 9 to 6.
World Changers
2024 Program June 5- July 31
Wednesdays from 1 to 6
Interviewing a Different Community Leader Each Week
Doing a Community Service Project Each Week
Reading, Math, and Learning Games Each week
Personality Surveys, Teamwork Exercises, and other Learning Activities
Snacks, Fun, and Surprises!
Community Leaders World Changers Met in 2021-2024
Jeff Booker, Gaston County School Superintendent
Chris Peak, CaroMont Health CEO
Brandon Bellamy, Honey Hunters Owner
Walker Reid, Gastonia Mayor
Gaston Business Association COO Steve D'Avria
Brookside Elementary School Principal Jaime Wallace
Eastside Church Music Director Robby Davis
Gastonia Police Chief Travis Brittain
Donyell Barber, KIntegra Health and Gastonia City Council
Salvation Army Major David Phelps
Veterinarian Dr. Mark Epstein
State Farm Insurance Agent Anthony Gallant
Tindol Ford Owner Natalie Tindol
Contractor Ray Hammam
JPDavis Owner and Speaker Jennifer Davis
Teacher and Board Chair Mr. Sam Walton
Rev. Lauren Vanacore with the Community Foundation
Rev. Rodney Freeman with Mt. Zion Restoration Church
City Councilman Mr. Robert Kellogg
Olivia Barnes, Movie Maker
Author Reggi Broach
Pastor Dwayne Burks, Gateway Gaston, and Gastonia First Baptist Church
Chief Synthia Kearney, Gastonia Fire Department
Pastor Obie Batista, City Church, Unity Consulting, and Launch Gaston
Mrs. Roxann Jimison, CEO of Dream Center Academy
Mrs. Beth Canipe, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, Vice President, Chief Nursing Officer of CaroMont Health
Pastor Jeff Wilson, Freedom House Renewal Programs
Places We Visited and Served in 2021-2024
City Set on a Hill Ministry, Gastonia
Crisis Assistance Ministry, Gastonia
Keep Gastonia Beautiful, Gastonia
Webb Street School
Gardner Park Elementary School
Overstreet Mall, Charlotte
Carowinds, NC/SC
Warlick YMCA
NC Zoo, Asheboro
Crowder's Mountain State Park
Gaston County Public Library
A Little Bit of Art, Cramerton
Regal 14 Cinemas, Franklin Square
South Park Mall
Mt. Zion Restoration Church
Union Road Library
City Set on a Hill
Richard Sheltra Foundation
The Salvation Army of Gaston and Lincoln Counties
Glenwood Gardens
2021-2024 Program Graduates
Lalah Anderson Sophie Arrowood Sarah Bell Devon Bellamy Chris Bernal Erik Bernal Braedon Broome
Bethany Brown Caleb Brown Keveon Brown Landon Camp Patrick Camp Jr. Mikal Davis Malachi Gale
Ni'keria Hall Kyren Jackson Elijah Johnson Rihzen Jones Jaadyn McCaskill Tyran McCaskill Joshua McKay
Hannah McGinnis Laila Muhammad Makayla Muhammad Teagyn Occhio Journee Phillips Kylee Pruitt Tryniti Simmons
Za’Laya Thompson Lee Tilley
Hope in Christ Summer Interns (2012-current)
2012 Andrew Hosier
2013 Daniel Biggerstaff
2016 Raquel Rivas
2017 Stephen Bell
2020 Jesus Martell
2023 Travis Tatum, Sarah Bell, Xochitl Monze Rivera
2024 Travis Tatum, Sarah Bell, Tony White