Nashville nonprofit ministry launches Ozarks district

provided by First Priority of America

Jeff Stanford is First Priority of America's district director.

A Nashville-based nonprofit ministry has started an Ozarks district.

First Priority of America focuses on legally assisting students who form Christian clubs at public schools, according to a news release.

Hired as district director is Jeff Stanford, a veteran of the nonprofit who moved to the area to start the new district after working for the organization in South Florida for 10 years.

“It is humbling to be launching the new district, but I am excited,” Stanford said in the release. “There is great need in this region. There is an estimated 100,000 middle school and high school students … that we have an opportunity to reach."

First Priority of America's website points to the 1984 Equal Access Act that gives students the right to form and lead Christian clubs on campus. Church-approved youth workers are sent by First Priority to coach them.

"The success of First Priority begins and ends with the local church. The students, youth pastors and faculty sponsors that partner with us all belong to a local congregation," the website indicates.

The nonprofit's Ozarks region covers southwest Missouri and parts of northwest Arkansas.

Officials with the nonprofit say there are 889 clubs planted in schools around the United States and that the organization works to "educate, train and provide resources for students to legally share the gospel with unbelievers in the public school systems."

The nonprofit is funded by donations from organizations such as businesses and churches.