Standing In The Gap

The Core values of Integrity, Respect, Perseverance, Discipline and Accountability in our nation are at RISK of becoming Non-Existent at an Epidemic Proportion. History will repeat itself for generations to come if steps aren’t taken to change the mindset of parents, and children as we Restore the Core Values, and instill the principles of Character, Hope, Purpose and Success will begin the process.

Our purpose is to bridge the gap for kids between a life without Character, Hope, Purpose, and Success, to a life of True Happiness as we demonstrate and teach these four principles and Much More

Note: Detailed information such as: How it all began, Our Plans and Goals, Giving Back, and Services can be found under the More tab at the bottom of the website.

How did “Standing In The Gap” become a reality? Our church was having a Fall Festival and I thought it would be a great idea to invite the children on my bus route to the event and pick them up in a school bus. Two obstacles had to be overcome to accomplish this idea. (1.) How do I get the invitations to the event to the parents without mailing them? (2) Access to a school bus.
(1.) How do I get the invitation to the parents? The assistant superintendent for the district is also the person that oversees the transportation department. I told him I had something I wanted to discuss with him. I realized that combining school district policy and an invitation to a “church event”, was a gray area. My plan was to take the flier from our church for the event and attach a letter from me explaining the event and telling the parents I would pick the children up on a school bus. After listening to my request, he said as much as I think it’s a great idea, and as much as I want to let you do it, I can’t take the chance of getting you and me in trouble. I told him I understood and appreciated his time. After leaving his office and walking down the hall, I heard him call my name. I went back to his office and he said – let’s do it, and if we get in trouble, we’ll go down together. I was thrilled with his decision and that weekend I prepared approximately 85 invitations to give the children on Monday as they were getting off the bus in the afternoon. The invitation stated that I would pick up the children on the date of the event on a school bus. One obstacle overcome, one remaining, you guessed it, what about a bus? (2) The place where my granddaughter takes gymnastics had a school bus sitting in front of the building. While I was putting this plan together, I asked the owner of the gym if I could rent the school bus for an event? She said yes or I’ll sell it for $2500 if you want it, the only problem is, the bus will not start and I didn’t have $2500. I did have the money to rent the bus which would allow me to keep my commitment of picking up the children on a bus. My son and I began on Wednesday working on the bus trying to get it to start, but it wouldn’t start. My wife and I had made a prior commitment to attend a wedding of a close friend on Friday and wouldn’t return until late Friday afternoon. Thursday afternoon my son worked on the bus again, but it still wouldn’t start. He decided to contact a friend who is a diesel mechanic asking if he would bring his equipment to determine why the bus wouldn’t start. He said he would, but he couldn’t come until Friday morning. “Remember, the event is Saturday”. It was determined Friday morning there was a computer problem with the bus and it would involve a lot of time and money to make the needed repairs. That was when my son called me and told me the results of the test. I was thinking, now what? He told me, I’ve got a plan, he said, I’ll get back with you. During this time my son contacted a friend of his and told him our plan and asked if he would donate the money needed to buy the bus, he said yes. WOW, answered prayer. At the same time my son’s girlfriend searches Craigslist and finds a bus in Jacksonville, AR. My son contacts the person and gets information about the bus and calls me Friday morning before the wedding sharing the details. He sent me a picture and said the person will be home that Friday afternoon waiting for me to look at the bus. During our trip back to Hot Springs, we took an alternate route to Jacksonville to look at the bus. The bus was in very good condition. After driving and inspecting it, I talked with the person about the price. The original price was $3000, but he said your son told me the reason you are buying the bus and he agreed to sell it for $2500. I bought the bus and drove it home that afternoon. The following morning “Saturday”, I picked up 25 children on my bus route and another 20 came to the event with their parents. The following Monday and throughout the week several of the children on the bus said they had a great time, and asked when is the next event? I also had several parents express their appreciation for everything that was done to provide the children with a very enjoyable time.
The week after the Fall Festival was a time of soul searching. It was very obvious the children and the parents enjoyed themselves and appreciated everything that was done. So the question was, what’s next? I have a bus, I have an opportunity to have a positive influence on approximately 60 to 70 children that ride my bus not including their friends, parents and the possibility of many others. Once again the question remains, how do I capitalize on this opportunity? In my quiet time in the mornings after reading God’s word I began praying asking for wisdom and the ability to listen and be led by the Holy Spirit on how to capitalize on this opportunity? One morning as I was sitting in my office I looked up and noticed the aerial view picture of the Promise Keepers event hanging on the wall in my office. 

On October 4th, 1997, Promise Keepers sponsored a men’s rally in Washington D.C. There was an estimated one million men and boys in attendance. My son and I had the privilege of attending this rally. The focus was on men dying to self and recommitting their lives to Jesus our savior. To accept their responsibility as the servant leader in their home and to “Stand In The Gap”, by being the intercessor, the person who prays for protection of his family and others from Satan. Being a person who fills in the gaps in each person’s armor as they mature and become stronger in their faith. In Ezekiel 22:30 - “I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap. After reading the verse I realized that was it. My Lord wanted to use me as an instrument to “Stand In The Gap”. To be the person described in Ezekiel 22:30 to build a wall or a hedge of protection, and to encourage the children to be open-minded and consider their present behavior, their thoughts, their way of life and to be encouraged and excited as they are exposed to a new way of thinking, a change in their behavior, with the ultimate goal of them accepting Christ as their savior and begin their journey with Him as Lord. The next step is How? In my quiet time once again I find myself before my Lord in prayer, asking How? From my experience as a bus driver I knew there was a lack of character traits being taught in the home (honesty and respect just to mention a few), so I knew that by using Character as a core principle, would have a long-lasting positive impact in the children’s lives. Second, principle Hope. I wanted to be sure the children understood there is Hope. Growing up in the intercity isn’t always a place filled with Hope. Third principle, their Purpose in life. I want to expose the children to the idea of discovering their purpose because that is essential in preparing them for the future. Fourth principle Success. I want the children to understand the true meaning of success and to realize they can and will become successful. My Lord was faithful in revealing these four principles to me and will be faithful as we begin this ministry. In summary. The main objective is to “Stand In The Gap”, to provide a safe haven for the children as we bridge the gap for kids between a life without Character, Hope, Purpose and Success, to a life of True Happiness as we demonstrate, and teach these four principles and Much More.

This is our logo.

                   
Finally, I asked you to be in prayer about the amazing opportunity that is before us and to consider giving of your time, your wisdom, and sharing the love of Christ in these children’s lives. In doing so, we’ll have a positive impact on the children, their parents, and the community as we are led by the Holy Spirit.

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Standing in the Gap is an organization/ministry with its primary focus on four key principles. *

1. Help Children develop Character in their life
2. Help Children realize there is Hope
3. Help Children discover their Purpose in life
4. Help Children understand true Success

Let me introduce myself. My name is Mike Lybarger. I retired from United Parcel Service after 28 years of service and had a successful Landscape and Lawn Service business after retirement for several years. Serving others and making a difference by doing the right thing has always been at the core of who I am and how I ran the business. These Core beliefs are the same today as they were then. For me personally, as I get older it’s even more important than ever before to make my life count in a positive way. As a result of a lot of soul-searching and prayer, I was led to become a bus driver for the Hot Springs School District. I’ve been driving for approximately six years. I began as a substitute driver and was given my own route in August 2014. If you had told me I would become a school bus driver, I would have told you “no way,” but God has a way of changing our plans in life if we let him. As a bus driver, the opportunities are endless to get involved in the children’s lives and make a difference. It’s my opinion that a large percentage of the children don’t receive the love and support needed in their lives. I love what I do, and I’m convinced my Lord has placed me where he wanted me and led me down the path he had planned. I’m also convinced the creation of “Standing In The Gap”, is a result of God allowing me to be used in implementing his plan for making a difference in children’s lives. Instilling and teaching the principles of Character, Hope, Purpose, and Success will make a positive, meaningful, and long-lasting change in their lives, and help prepare them for the future. 

Now I want to focus on the Why. Why is there a need to instill and teach the four principles of ”Character, Hope, Purpose, and Success”? It’s my opinion that a high percentage of the children haven’t been introduced to these principles, primarily in the home. To confirm my opinion, I take every opportunity to talk with teachers asking them their view of the children in their classroom and where is the weakest link in the children’s lives, every teacher gives the same answer, the HOME. The Core values of respect, integrity, teaching the children to give their best in everything they do, and having a good and positive attitude are just a few areas of concern. It all begins in the HOME. (It’s important to mention that in most cases the parents, grandparents, or guardians are repeating the way they were raised and are instilling the principles they were taught during their childhood). Studies reveal the formative years, are from birth to age 8. During these early years, the children are going to mirror the CORE values, beliefs, and activities in the home, and outside the home. When the children are young they have the mindset their parents don’t do anything wrong. Whatever they see their parents doing for the most part in the child’s mind is acceptable. I personally believe the parents, grandparents, and guardians at the very Core of their being want what is best, for their children. They want them to have more, to have the opportunity to experience success in their lives, and have the social skills needed to communicate with others, be respected, and have the character traits that will prepare them for the future. Our plan is to come along beside the parent or guardian and help them by “Standing In The Gap” and to help any way we can.

When looking at the logo for “Standing In The Gap”, notice there is a bold line where the center section is lower than either side, which creates a gap. I refer to the left side of the gap as the Side of life without Hope, Purpose, Success, and Character. Our lives are filled with uncertainties. Parents and guardians have the responsibility to prepare their children or grandchildren with the knowledge and character traits needed to prepare them for the future. There are numerous reasons why the children aren’t receiving the training, love, and support needed, but bottom line is, they aren’t receiving it. As mentioned earlier, it all begins in the HOME. We can’t cross our fingers and hope that over time things will change. You and I both know, that’s not going to happen. The process that is currently being used in the majority of the homes in America isn’t working. If something isn’t done, this cycles will continue generation after generation. This is one of the main purposes of “Standing In The Gap”. It’s very important the children develop Character, and understand they are on a level playing field where there is Hope, and realize they have a Purpose in life, and they have every right to experience Success. I refer to the side on the right of the gap as the Side of life with True Happiness which includes the four principles and much more. A place where they embrace the four principles, and understand the importance of applying them in their lives. The parents or guardians need someone who will “Stand In The Gap” with them. They must see Christ in us, as we provide support, training, love, concern, just to mention a few, and to help in every aspect of their lives. Our desire is to earn the trust of the parents, guardians, and children by showing concern and being there to listen, to love, and encourage them through the good times and those times that aren’t so good.

The bridge that connects the two sides of the gap are the Four Principles. The Cross below the bridge is there to remind us that Jesus Christ is our Only source of strength. He loves us and wants us to trust and believe in him and accept him as Lord as he reveals his plan for each of us. It’s also important for us to realize that we live in a fallen world where Satan who is evil wants to be in control of our lives. If not careful we can become calloused, lose hope, and find ourselves convinced there is nothing that can be done to change the mind set that has continued from generation to generation. We find ourselves settling for less than we desire. This negative mindset will become the mindset of the children if something isn’t done. This is the purpose of “Standing In The Gap”. As we instill these four principles in the lives of our children it will not only have a positive and long-lasting impact on their lives, their families lives but will have a positive impact on our city, county, state, and our nation. We must realize:

The children of today are the leaders of tomorrow and beyond.

Now I want to focus on the How. What steps will be implemented to instill, share and teach the four principles?

Note: As I continue to pray and seek the Holy Spirit as he leads me down this path, it’s essential that He is the one in control. As a result, the following plans may and probably will change as we begin the ministry and see the needs of the people we come in contact with, and adapt our approach in a way that will best allow us to imitate Christ, and be led by the Holy Spirit.

In planning for the future we realize that exposure is the key for us to share the story about “Standing In The Gap”.  We search various sources in the community for events/activities that are centered around our purpose and set up a booth with the school bus as the backdrop. We use this opportunity to connect with the children and the parents and give them a sheet with information that describes our purpose and the services we provide along with our website address. 

Our primary focus is to host an event in April 2021 that will introduce Standing In The Gap to the community. The details of the event aren’t finalized. More to come in the near future about this event.  Note: Our team of volunteers and staff understand our purpose and goals, and are dedicated to implementing them in our community. As we continue with a presence in the community we are committed to making adjustments as-needed in the process of teaching and sharing our principles to be sure the message is being understood. 

Tutoring and Mentoring: Tutoring will be available on an as needed basis. Mentoring: Each child will be assigned a mentor. The purpose of the mentor is to develop an open and long-lasting relationship with the child, parents, or guardian. To listen, encourage, gain their trust and give support and apply the principles and plans mentioned earlier. Monthly follow-up (more if needed) with the parents or guardian to discuss the progress of the child, answer questions, and ask if there have any immediate needs or concerns.

Special Events: The initial plan is to have three special events each year. Two of the events in the Spring and Fall, will be focused on having fun and being together as a family. There will be activities for all ages, and food provided. It will also be a time to share the principles, the curriculum, and general information about “Standing In The Gap”. The third event will be more formal. A time of recognizing the accomplishments of the children and an award ceremony. A time where the children and parents have the opportunity to share their feelings about “Standing In The Gap”, and what it means to them.

* Note: Standing In The Gap is in the process of obtaining a Non-profit status.