Faith Leaders Deliver First 2000 Days Message

Faith leaders and congregation members continue to come together across NC to discuss how they can support children’s early learning. Inspired by regional summits sponsored by the North Carolina Partnership for Children, three Community Faith Summits were held this spring in Brunswick, Craven and Rockingham counties.

Local Smart Starts hosted the summits and First 2000 Days Champions delivered presentations about why the first 2000 days of a child’s life is key to their life success and our state and nation’s economic vitality.

Shannon Newsome, Reidsville Christian Church talks with  Mark Wells of Rockingham County Business and Technlogy Center and Kenneth Moore, Sharon Missionary Baptist Church
Rockingham County: Shannon Newsome of Reidsville Christian Church, Mark Wells of Rockingham County Business and Technology Center and Kenneth Moore of Sharon Missionary Baptist Church

Craven County Schools Superintendent Dr. Lane Mills gave the keynote address for the breakfast program and Craven County Smart Start staff were guests on a local TV program “Called to Serve.”

In Brunswick County, Kiwanis Club leaders Jim Nelson and Don Wilson spoke about the importance of the early years and Reverend Dr. Clifford Barnett lead the discussion about what congregations can do.

In Rockingham County Pastor Tommy James shared why his faith calls him to ensure that each child has “the opportunity to become the very best person God has created him or her to be.”

Outcomes from these summits include:  congregation support for early reading programs that are critical to later reading success and scheduling lunch and learns for congregations and boards of education.