The West Blvd Ministry Stars Academy arrived at Camp Thunderbird at Lake Wylie for a weeklong adventure, marking our second year of sending some of our Stars to camp. This year, we were excited to include one of our Star’s little sister. It was a blessing to provide a group of children from inner-city Charlotte a safe place to make memories and moments that will last a lifetime. We are grateful for the incredible work and preparation that the Camp Thunderbird team put in to turn our experience into a memory that will last forever. There were a lot of tears and long goodbyes as the week came to an end, a testament to the love and care the team at Thunderbird showed our Stars. This life-changing experience, along with others, was made possible through your generosity and by walking alongside us at West Blvd Ministry.

The West Blvd Ministry Stars landed in the NC mountains for their first-ever trip! We kicked off the weekend with a day full of fellowship, fun, and memory-making at Tweetsie Railroad, soaking up everything it had to offer. On Saturday afternoon, we made it up to Grandfather Mountain, spending time in a peaceful and serene place of natural beauty. Later, we enjoyed an afternoon walk around Bass Lake and had a relaxing time, grateful to have been one with God and nature in such a beautiful setting. It was special to share these places that had meant so much to us while watching these four young men experience the mountains for the first time. We were grateful for our WBM team who made opportunities like this possible.

wbmstars #blowingrocktrip2025

God showed up & showed out in Swannanoa, NC on Saturday. West Blvd Ministry, Valley Hope Church & Adventures Relief teamed up to start the transformation process for the Ward Family home. We worked hard all day laying insulation & the subfloor. Forever grateful for all of the WBM Team who selflessly made the trip. More service opportunities will be available on this special project and others. We’ve NOT forgotten about our brothers & sisters in Western, NC. To God be the glory!

#hurricanehelene2024

The West Blvd Ministry Stars Academy would like to thank our friends at Charlotte Running Company- Dilworth for blessing us. Tonight we visited the store for fellowship, food, encouraging & challenging message and a NEW pair of running shoes. We will wear the shoes when we train for the South End Shuffle 5k & Mile Run in September.

WOW!! Thank you My Farm Camps for having the West Blvd Ministry Stars Academy out for another memorable afternoon. Today marked our 3rd trip to this slice of heaven just a few miles from West Blvd but might as well have been a million miles away. 8 of our young men rode a horse for the 1st time. Another milestone, all to the glory of God. Expanding hearts & minds!

West Blvd Ministry’s 5 ALIVE Dinners are back in a BIG way. Tonight we had a blast at Kabuto. Another incredible memory was made. Every other week we take some of our WBM Stars our for a night of fellowship, food & fun. #wbmstars #5alive #kabuto

Who would have ever imagined West Blvd Ministry standing in The White House? But here we are! By God’s provision and direction—and the friendship and support of so many—this week’s adventure became a reality. Life-changing memories and moments were made that we’ll carry with us forever.

It’s a long way from West Blvd., but now it’s our responsibility to open our hearts and minds and turn this shared experience into action. And the blessings just keep flowing!

Today, we were treated to a private tour of The Capitol thanks to the office of NC Congressman Pat Harrigan, followed by an unforgettable trip to the Spy Museum. Grateful for the sunshine, the fellowship, and every moment along the way.

#wbmstars #whitehouse #capitolhill #grateful

What an unforgettable start to our time in our Nation’s Capital! Day one at the Smithsonian’s Natural History and walking around the National Mall left us in awe. Day two kept the momentum going—kicking off at the National Zoo, the Air & Space Museum, followed by dinner, a powerful visit to the Lincoln Memorial, and a moving moment at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial to close out the evening. Grateful, humbled, and in complete awe. Thank you, Jesus! #grateful #wbmstars

West Blvd Ministry Stars ‘5 Alive Dinners’ are back. Every other Wednesday we choose 5 deserving Stars for an opportunity to fellowship and have dinner. Tonight we were blessed, by WBM Coach Jim, to an evening at Charlotte City Club. Incredible experience! As we share with our young men, you ALL belong in places like this, we’ll provide you with the tools, instruction and accountability that will keep you here.

West Blvd Ministry had another incredible experience with our Charlotte Checkers. We like to make sure we’re intentional with the opportunities God has given us. Creating memories and moments that will last a lifetime. ##wbmstarsacademy #checkers

West Blvd Ministry hosted a ‘Field Day’ with our friends from Charlotte Coffee Club at Stonewall Jackson Apartments on this beautiful Sunday afternoon. Soccer, Basketball, Volleyball and Bubbles blossomed into new friendships. We look forward to our next opportunity to fellowship with our families at Stonewall.

Happy 8th Birthday West Blvd Ministry! We thank Christ Jesus that He considered us faithful to live the gospel out in the West Blvd corridor and wherever He may lead us. One child, one family, one day at a time. Grateful for what God has done, is doing and will continue to do. The hands, feet and heart of Jesus!

West Blvd Ministry is one step closer to completion of the Burnette & Nobles Basketball Court at Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department Westover Division. The court will honor Officers John Burnette & Andy Nobles who lost their lives in service on October 5th, 1993. Today the court was painted and finishing touches will come with a plaque honoring both CMPD Westover Officers.

West Blvd Ministry Stars Academy grateful for Mr.Glenn blessing us with the opportunity to fellowship and have a first class dining experience Tuesday night. We always stress to our young men that they belong and are victor’s in every aspect of life. It’s our job to put them in position to believe and embrace it. Tonight we did it again. #capitalgrille #wbmstars

West Blvd Ministry Stars Academy would like to thank Coach Kale from McGee Brothers Masonry for pouring into our yound men last night at Gracie’s House. Coach Kale was amazing explaining masonry and giving the Stars a hand on experience.

West Blvd Ministry Stars Academy always has a great time at the Charlotte Checkers games. Twice a year we are blessed to spend the evening together at the Old Charlotte Coliseum, where most of us older Charlottean’s spent our childhood, watching and learning about ice hockey.

Every August & January we bless our West Blvd Ministry Stars and Mini Stars Academy with a new set of kicks. Make sure our young men walk the halls of school in style. Tomorrow night we take our Mini-Stars. We’re forever grateful for your support that makes moments like this possible. #footlocker

West Blvd Ministry’s Christmas on The Boulevard was so beautiful. Thank you to all of our WBM Family that made today possible. To celebrate the birthday of Jesus with 4 different neighborhoods throughout the West Blvd corridor today was a blessing. We were able to provide Christmas for over 1200 children in Western NC & on West Blvd this year. Beyond grateful.

West Blvd Ministry & Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department Westover Division partnered for our 2nd Annual Blue Christmas. Each young man in our WBM Stars Academy Mentoring Program received a $200 gift card to shop for their family members in celebration of Christmas. We paired each Star up with a CMPD Officer as they shopped throughout Walmart Wilkinson Blvd. Thank you Walmart for making it a great experience. Grateful for Kingdom Demolition sponsoring this incredible initiative again this year. #bluechristmas

Thank you Jesus! West Blvd Ministry’s Christmas in Swannanoa at WD Williams Elementary School was an amazing success. Through your friendship and support we were able to bless 450 students & 75 teachers/administrators with a very special day. The WBM Team absolutely crushed it! Grateful for everyone making the trip to love on the children of Swannanoa.

Grateful to have our new friend Todd Compton from Compton’s Automotive over at Gracie’s House to talk shop with our WBM Stars Academy. I know they learned a lot and were once again exposed to something new. Expanding minds & hearts.

The West Blvd Ministry Stars spent another beautiful afternoon riding and caring for horses, as well as tending to goats and pigs. It truly felt like heaven on earth! There’s something so incredible about connecting with nature—feeling the rhythm of the horses, the gentle presence of the animals, and the peace that comes from working the land. It’s a reminder of the simple yet profound joys of creation and the beauty of slowing down to appreciate the world around us.

A huge thank you to Morgan and the amazing team at My Farm Camps for making this experience so meaningful. These moments with the animals and the earth are memories we’ll carry forever!

West Blvd Ministry Stars Academy at the South End Shuffle 5k & Mile Run today. Grateful to be part & beneficiary of this special event for the 3rd year. This creates an opportunity to train leading up to the Mile Run and embrace the sense of accomplishment on race day. Also provides the WBM Family a day to serve together. #wbmstars #southendshuffle #skufcalaw

West Blvd Ministry has wrapped up an unforgettable weekend in Chicago! From cheering at the Cubs vs. Yankees game to exploring the city and attending the Winning Leader Clinic at Intentional Sports, it was an incredible experience for our young men.

The highlight of the weekend was undoubtedly the Winning Leader Clinic. WBM Stars Academy had an amazing afternoon at Intentional Sports, an outstanding facility right here in Chicago. A special thank you to our dear friend Coach Jeremy Boone for this incredible opportunity. We learned so much about running, jumping, competing, and, most importantly, maintaining the right attitude both on and off the field.

We are so grateful for the chance to create life-changing experiences and lasting memories with our young men. This weekend was truly one to remember. Thank you, Coach Boone, and thank you, Chicago!

What an incredible trip this has been! Despite Tropical Storm Debby, God made a way for us to enjoy so many amazing experiences together. From mornings at Fun Warehouse to beach and pool time, exploring Ripley’s Believe It or Not, the Haunted House, and the House of Illusions, celebrating a birthday, and even shopping at JAWS—every moment was unforgettable. Through rain and sunshine, we felt God’s presence, creating breaks in the weather for us to fellowship and make lasting memories. Forever grateful for His blessings and the joy of this journey!

West Blvd Ministry & Vizion Church coming together yet again to the glory of God. Today we had a Book Bag and school supply giveaway, complete with a water slide & KONA Ice at 1701 CityView Apartments off West Blvd. We continue our relentless pursuit of hearts by spreading hope and love in creative ways.

Let’s Go West Blvd Ministry Stars Academy!!! Another amazing day working out with Coach Bryson at Hive Fitness. We’re forever grateful for our friendship with Hive, who has supported us in several initiatives. This was our 2nd workout at Hive and we’re already looking forward to the next one, after the soreness subsides. #wbmstars #hivefitness #hopedealer

Grateful for the educational opportunity today at The Carolina Raptor Center. Learned about many types of birds, their diets & where they live. Of course everyone worked up an appetite so we stopped at Bojangles. #wbmstarsacademy #hopedealer

West Blvd Ministry wrapped up our 3rd straight week of camp. This week some of our young men from the WBM Stars Academy participated in the Queens University Basketball Camp. We would like to thank our friends at Queens University that made this experience possible.

Just as God intended it to be. West Blvd Ministry Stars Academy had 6 young men publicly declare their faith by being baptized at Moments of Hope Church this morning. It was glorious and the angels in heaven were singing & cheering right long with us.

#wbmstarsacademy#hopedealer ##relentless

Some of our young men from the WBM Stars Academy are in the middle of Charlotte FC Soccer Camp this week. It’s been a great opportunity to learn a new sport for a few,, improve existing skills for others & have a first class experience. We’re forever grateful for our friends that help turn dreams into reality.

West Blvd Ministry would like to thank the incredible Camp Thunderbird Team. Our young men grew up this past week at camp. Spending a week away from home teaches valuable life lessons & creates life experiences and memories. The Team at Camp Thunderbird could not have been more accommodating throughout the process. The West Blvd Ministry Stars Academy will definitely be back next summer. Grateful for supporters that make moments like this possible. Christ is King!

West Blvd Ministry & Vizion Church came together for a Neighborhood Outreach Cookout with our friends at Cambridge Park Apartments. What an incredible day of fellowship, arts & crafts, games, music, food & Kona Ice and most importantly the message of Jesus Christ. God is making a way and we accept the calling. Looking forward to coming back!

Kayden has been a part of West Blvd Ministry for 1 year. When people ask what the purpose of WBM is – Kayden is a wonderful example. He has grown in so many aspects. Mentally – when he first came to WBM, Kayden, had a difficult time expressing his thoughts and feelings. Now, he is able to communicate his thoughts in a way that is appropriate for a young man his age.That is through the consistency and accountability aspect of the mentoring, which is what Kayden loves the most. He loves the coaches. He said they push him towards greatness and he doesn’t give up. Kayden mentioned “Ever since I joined I got tougher, grew thicker skin. When I get in my feelings I can talk myself out of it!” Spiritually, Kayden now reads his Bible more and is able to recite the weekly versus verbatim. His favorite verse is Deuteronomy 7:9 – “Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments”. Kayden mentioned that it’s his favorites verse because you have to remember, there is only one God and even though you do something he will still have faith in you and he will continue to show love as long as you obey him.

Kayden’s favorite subject in school is Reading. That is because he says without reading and comprehension, there would be no other subjects. When asked if he has faced any challenges at school, he mentioned a meeting with the principal, his teacher, and his mom, which he was nervous about. However, he showed how brave he is throughout the entire meeting and it went well.

Kayden has younger siblings that he likes to spend time with. He supports his siblings by helping feed them and being there for them when they need him. His favorite thing to do with them is watch holiday movies, specifically The Grinch. Going off of loving to watch movies, Kayden wants to be an actor when he grows up. He admires how awesome actors are and he wants to be just like them. When

asked what he saw in the mirror, his response was “myself, a nice and kind person.” Which WBM completely agrees with him. We are SO proud of how much he has grown and we are so excited to see his continued growth! Please help us congratulate Kayden as WBM Stars Academy Star of the month.

West Blvd Ministry’s 1st POOL DAY at Gracie’s House! What an incredible afternoon and the beginning of so much life transforming fellowship. Nothing better than sitting back hearing all the joy and laughter. Kids being kids, and that gets lost throughout our inner city neighborhoods. #hopedealer #relentless

West Blvd Ministry had a BIG afternoon with the Harlem Globetrotters. It’s a memory that every child should have. Grateful for our WBM Family that make dreams like today a reality.

West Blvd Ministry partnered with our friends for another amazing day of fellowship, food and games. We are better together and today proves that once again. We love our families in Stonewall Jackson Apartments and are blessed that God has us there to live the gospel out. #wbm #cmpdfreedom #mphighschoolhonorsociety #hivefitness #vizionchurch #ncmedassist

West Blvd Ministry & CMPD Freedom Divison celebrated our 1 Year BBQ For Blue Anniversary. For the past year we have gathered for fellowship, food & prayer with our brothers and sisters of CMPD Freedom. Building bridges that positively impact the community serve together. #bbqforblue #cmpdfreedom #cmpdwestover

Messiah has been a part of West Blvd Ministry for three years. Over his years with the program he has grown into one of our leaders, receiving the weekly MVP on numerous occasions and has been involved in the Reading Stars program as well. He is a wonderful young man whose smile lights up any room he walks into. What he loves the most about WBM is the Reading Stars program on Monday nights because it helps him with his reading skills. He also loves the coaches who encourage him to do his best every day as well as remind him to read his bible daily for 5 minutes. His favorite bible verse is Genesis 9:13 because it means God promised that He won’t flood the earth again, no more destruction.

Messiah has three values that are important to him.First one being honesty, because one way or another the truth will come back in a good way or bad way, so might as well always tell the truth. Secondly, accountability is important to him because if he does something wrong and doesn’t take accountability for it, then someone else could get blamed for something they didn’t do. Lastly, courage because he likes trying new things.. He expresses his gratitude by always saying “thank you” and praying daily.

Messiah remembers a time when he helped his friend Branson after he fell and bumped his head. It made him happy to be able to help because that is his best friend and he doesn’t want anything bad to happen to him. Being a part of WMB had impacted Messiah a lot because the coaches gave him a bible. Before the program, he didn’t read the bible but now he does and it teaches him important things in life.

On the school side, Messiah enjoys science because he likes to create things as well as animals. His love for animals has extended to him wanting to be a zoologist when he gets older. He loves the animals he has at home, which include, a bearded dragon and three leopard geckos. Messiah faced a challenge at school when he only had five minutes to finish seven problems. He did not want to get a zero on those questions so he focused and was determined to finish. When Messiah is not at school or at WBM, he is playing his Nintendo with his family or watching t.v. His favorite thing to do with them is going out to eat or to Carowinds. He is one of 6 siblings who support each other by making sure they pass on what they know to their younger siblings.

Messiah has big goals for his future. Short term, he wants to get A honor roll in his time at school. However, long term, he wants to get a masters degree in science to help him pursue his goal of becoming a zoologist. This young man was asked what he saw when he looked in the mirror and his response was “a smart young man that grows everyday!” and we couldn’t agree more. We are so proud of Messiah and blessed to be a part of his journey.

Grateful for all of our friends at West Blvd Ministry that makes nights like these possible. Yes, we had a BIG time at the Charlotte Checkers Game last night. #wbmstars #charlottecheckers