Kedralyn L. Folk is a firm believer in Proverbs 22:6, NRSV. "Train children in the right way and when old, they will not stray."
Growing up in tiny Ehrhardt, South Carolina (population 530), Kedralyn graduated cum laude from South Carolina State University, Orangeburg, in May 2015. With an elementary education major, she is certified to teach grades two through six. She received a World Communion Scholarship from The United Methodist Church. I am assuming this; her interview did not mention any scholarship, so we have a big hole here. We need more information from her.
"My mother is a retired educator, and my father is retired from Savannah River Site," she says. "He is a Vietnam veteran. My parents are both members of United Methodist churches. I have two older siblings, Kelvin and LaTrina. I am from a very small, rural town in Bamberg County."
Kedralyn's home church – Orange Grove United Methodist in Bamberg, South Carolina, has long been her support system. Her pastor, the Rev. Louise Wright, attended her graduation.
"My church family," she says, "is my family. I did not realize how much they did for me until I got to college. College was not easy, but having a praying family behind me made it easier." She calls herself living proof of Proverbs 22:6. Involved in Orange Grove United Methodist Church since age 3, she adds, "Each member has made some sort of lasting impression on my life. I cannot thank them enough for all the love, support and encouragement."
She hopes to share that encouragement with her students.
"I will use my faith as an educator by praying for my students," Kedralyn says. "God is not 'allowed' in schools. However, nowhere does it say we cannot pray for our children."
She offered an example. "I completed a 13-week student teaching internship during my last semester of undergrad. Prayer changes things! I prayed daily for my students, and I saw my prayers answered right before my eyes. When I get my own classroom, I will continue to pray for the children in my class and all children."
Barbara Dunlap-Berg, general church content editor, United Methodist Communications
One of six churchwide Special Sundays with offerings of The United Methodist Church, World Communion Sunday calls the church to reach out to all people and model diversity among God's children. The special offering provides World Communion Scholarships, the Ethnic Scholarship Program and the Ethnic In-Service Training Program.
When you give generously on World Communion Sunday, you equip gifted, qualified students from around the globe to become the world changers God created them to be. Give now.
