A Bible-based, school year program awaits Becker students in grades 9-12 this fall, as the Becker Breakfast Club will make its debut.

Billed by organizers as a place where students can enjoy food, faith and friendship, the club will offer a morning breakfast that comes complete with the chance to explore the Christian faith.

“Kids can come and be a part of this group regardless of whether or not they have ever stepped foot in a church before,” says organization President Toni Knutson.  “We want everyone to feel accepted.”

The idea for the group is based on other similar organizations that have sprung up across Minnesota in recent years, including in STMA and Rogers.  The concept is a simple one: provide the teenagers with a breakfast and a chance to explore their faith while making a connection with Jesus Christ.

Knutson has teamed up with Brady and Megan Borkoski (Treasurer and Secretary, respectively) to get the group started, and they are now looking to add two board members.

“We want to create a safe space for kids to hear about Jesus Christ,” says Megan.

The kickoff event for the club is slated for August 23 at 10 a.m. at the HUB - the former Doering home now owned by the Becker Baptist Church.  During the school year, the meetings will be before school on Fridays once a month, with plans to increase that to twice a month as interest grows.

The board said the decision was made to enshrine the program as a non-denominational, faith-based group to ensure that everyone would feel welcome and to also not try and compete with other youth groups.

Becker Breakfast Club will be following the blueprint that has been used in the other communities, where similar programs are flourishing and drawing hundreds of students.  While the group would eventually like to find their own place to call home, they feel very fortunate that Pastor Nate Bucher and the Becker Baptist Church have answered the call in providing an attractive location, right next to the school parking lot (homeschool students are also welcome to attend).

Two faith-based speakers who are not currently connected to Becker churches will be leading the morning devotionals on a rotating basis.

“There are a lot of options for churches in this community, so we hope to be a place where kids can explore their own faith in a non-judgmental way,” Brady says.  “We will focus on the Bible and how Jesus died for us.”

In the past months, the board has been busy attaining their 501(c)3 nonprofit status, setting up a website and doing some preliminary fundraising.  There is also a donation link on the website, www.Beckerbreakfastclub.com, as well as a contact form for anyone interested in volunteering, serving on the board, or finding out more information about the club.

During the week of August 19, the group is sponsoring a penny challenge at area businesses, where people can deposit their pocket change or other donations to help get the program started.  

“We saw such a success with other groups and God just pulled at our heart strings to do something similar in our community,” says Toni.  “This opportunity is needed everywhere for kids to be able to connect with people who can guide them.”