SIDNEY -- The name "Mr. Jeffers" has been inked in the community and schools since 1991 when he accepted his first assignment as principal in Sidney.

He also developed a reputation among the children, especially on the north side of Sidney, because of an outreach program named "The Ark," and "Tuesday Church" by many.

He was the kind of man who always had compassion for the younger generation, and was seldom shy of his relationship with God. 

On Saturday, April 27, family and friends gather at Sidney's North Park to dedicate play equipment installed in his memory. The service was led by Evangelical Free Pastor Kyle Larson. Larson talked about Jeffers' influence among the north side of Sidney, how he worked to develop the Ark ministry and how important Jeffers felt it was to meet the families in the north neighborhoods.

"He had this vision of loving children where they're at, going where they're at, and evangelizing, discipling, equipping, showing kids Jesus; who he is, what he's like," Larson said.

He added Jeffers walked much of the Northside community in relation to The Ark; meeting families, and taking children home.

"Brent would walk these streets as he would take kids home from The Ark. He had a lot of miles, I'm sure, on this side of town," Larson said.

Patty Jeffers, wife of Brent, saw his dedication first hand, and expressed her appreciation for those in attendance and the opportunity for the community to remember him.

"You know, Brent would have loved every second of it, seeing there are kids here playing on it would have meant the world to him. We're just glad that we can afford to do it," she said.