Go Bako 2017

“Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity.” – 1 Timothy 4:12

We are so proud of the junior high and high school students at Westside. Each year, they volunteer their time during their summer vacation to serve in our community during an event called Go Bako. Inspired by the word of Jesus in Matthew 28:18 to “Go into all the World,” Go Bako is a time to work with local nonprofit, Christian ministries, and charitable organizations right here in Bakersfield that are fulfilling Jesus’ mission in our community.

This year, we were able to volunteer with Covenant Community Services, a local ministry that supports former foster youth, The Mission at Kern County, which provides food, shelter and Christian teaching to people who are down and out, and Evelyn’s Initiative, which takes discarded educational materials from local schools and ships them to schools in third-world countries.

In addition to volunteering with these nonprofits, our group also took food to the homeless, did yard work for a family in need, did a trash pick up day in the Quailwood neighborhood and helped run Westside’s first ever Mega Sports Camp.

To all of our students, chaperones and staff who volunteered during this event, thank you! You are a shining example of what it means to take the love of Christ into our community. We are blessed by your positive attitudes, your love for God, and your willingness to serve.