RPM Ministries reaches elementary students throughout year

Published 12:01 am Wednesday, March 27, 2019

The passion for RPM Outreach Ministries was evident in Esther McMath’s voice.

McMath is the head of the Brewton-area ministry that ministers to students in elementary schools throughout Escambia County. She was the guest speaker at the Atmore Rotary Club’s weekly meeting March 19.

“I’ve been involved with children for a long time,” McMath said. “I love and have a heart for children.”

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McMath said RPM Outreach Ministries was the dream child of Brewton couple, Cindy and Daniel Johnson.

“She (Cindy) would dress up for the kids every day,” McMath said. “The children love it. Cindy had a love of children and God. Her heart for every child was to hear the love of Jesus.”

McMath said the way the ministry works is that a utility trailer pulls up to a school, and students are released to teach them about character and education.

“It took a lot of work, but Cindy and Daniel went through it,” she said.

McMath said the Escambia County Board of Education approved that the ministry could visit the schools for one year.

“They (the Johnsons) bought a utility trailer and got a tremendous response from each school,” McMath said. The schools include Huxford Elementary, Pollard McCall, Flomaton Elementary, Rachel Patterson Elementary and W.S. Neal Elementary.

The ministry caters to students in grades K-1 through sixth grade, she said.

McMath said in 2015, Cindy was diagnosed with ALS, fought a good battle, passing away some two years later.

McMath said she was asked by Cindy to take over the ministry for her as she had served as a volunteer for a number of years.

“This ministry has been outstanding,” she said.

McMath said she believes that God’s hands have been on the ministry, and that the aim of the ministry is still the same — that children can know the love of God, see that God has a plan for them and that the ministry offers a place of hope.

At present, RPM has 30 volunteers, but could always use more, McMath said. The ministry visits  a school once a month, excluding December, April and May.