Coming of age in Oklahoma City Public Schools, I never really understood the national debate about religion and education. Maybe things were looser back then, but in both middle and high school, there seemed to be regular “intervention” assemblies every semester featuring various touring preachers and pastors—often labeled as “motivational speakers”—on the mic and, for the most part, everybody seemed cool with it.
From low-level CCM singers and “clean” comedians speaking out about the dangers of alcohol and drugs to an ex-Vietnam vet with a facial disfigurement courtesy of a “phosphorous grenade” lecturing the youth about pre-marital sex, most of the time, it was a by-the-book speaking engagement; a song would be sung, the guest would have “rap session” with the kids about the problems we were facing and then they’d pass out flyers or free tickets to the real main event, usually that night at some Baptist Church.