A small-town church is proving that great things can be accomplished by just a few people. For the last eight years, the Scottsville Presbyterian Church has been working with the Discovery School to help improve the lives and spirits of troubled young men.

Ever since the school in Buckingham County approached the church, its members have opened their doors and hearts to the boys. They’re invited to take part in worship services, picnics and other church functions. Church members have even hired the boys to do tasks around their homes, such as raking leaves and clearing brush. These tasks allow the young men to earn money for school trips. Last Christmas, the church purchased clothing for one of the boys who was in need.

Boys at the school are often struggling with emotional or behavioral issues. They can remain at the school anywhere from six months to two years, and range in age from 11 to 17. During their time there, students learn to build their own camps and are taught the skills needed to overcome personal problems. The school sends students to several area churches, and while the facility has both male and female students, only boys attend the presbyterian church in Scottsville.

Rev. Gordon Lindsey said many of the boys are withdrawn and have an attitude when they first come to the church.

“They’re having trouble expressing anger in a healthy way. I can often notice, in terms of body language, there’s a kind of sullenness,” he explained. Rather than pressuring the young men to open up, church members offer them the opportunity to participate in areas where they feel the most comfortable. Lindsey recalled one boy who was a talented pianist, so he was encouraged to perform during one of the church services.

With time and patience, the church has helped many of the boys break out of their shells. 

“There’s a real warming up that’s going on. When I’m up in the pulpit, I’m able to look down ... and I see boys very much watching what’s going on. Many of them can become very friendly and very warm. It’s like a flower blossoming,” Lindsey said.

Though some positive changes can be noticed rather quickly, sometimes it can take years before the church realizes the full impact it’s had on the lives of the Discovery School boys. One former church attendee transferred to the Fork Union Military Academy and joined its choir. Lindsey invited the FUMA choir to perform one Sunday and recognized the boy. He was thrilled to see the young man showing the other boys around and referring to the church as his own. 

“That was very exciting to us,” said the pastor.

Two years ago, two boys, who were graduating from the Discovery School, asked Lindsey to do the speech at their graduation ceremony. Both students had written heartfelt letters to the pastor describing what a difference the school had made in their lives. Lindsey said, “You don’t often have teenage boys open up their lives ... to a minister. It gave me a sense that our church had really touched their lives.”

The program has been such a success that the school is planning to send an additional group of boys to the church. The church is extremely pleased with the news and sees it as a sign of the school’s confidence. With a majority of the church’s estimated 35 members being seniors, they welcome the young faces. The pastor stated, “It brings youth into our service. It brings a sense of energy and inspiration for us.”

Lindsey and his church are grateful for the wonderful outreach opportunity it has brought to the community. He said, “It may not be an impact that reaches thousands, but you can touch the lives of a few in a very positive way.”