Kids Even Need Jesus in The Midwest?

I live in the Pacific Northwest.  A few years ago, Washington and Oregon ranked #49 and #50 in most unchurched states, so I expect that we are dealing with a culture of kids that need God.  But a friend in the Midwest shared they need him there too. Gasp!

Amy had lots of kids in her neighborhood but since she is single with no children of her own, she had no idea how to connect with them.  Hearing me talking about what God was doing through our homework club, she lit up!  After lots of questions, she got a new vision.

In Amy’s words, “So the Lord has been answering my prayers. He brought two little kids into my building and now all the neighborhood kids hangout on my front porch. Over the last two weeks I have gotten to know them better and they are all excited about doing a homework club.

They are hilarious. The day after we talked about it, one of the little girls came back and asked me what kind of homework I was going to give them. Ha! Kids are funny.

I did explain that this was an opportunity for them to bring all their homework from school and I would help them if they need it. They are all interested in learning more about the Bible even though at present they think it is boring.”

At our homework club we have homework time followed by snacks, Bible time and sometimes, though not always, we have a game, craft, song or something special.  We’ve enjoyed using Object Lesson books like these for some of our teaching times (click here to view). 

I wonder, are there kids in your state that need to hear about Jesus too?  Who will tell them?

We will check in more with Amy periodically, especially as she gets started.  My guess is, some of her questions are also some of your questions.

Until Every Boy and Girl Knows Jesus!

-Annie

*Names of children always changed

Berry Picking

My neighbors have rows of blueberry bushes.  Over 100 years old now, these bushes are more like trees.  Some years, the crop is miserable.  Gardening exerts have told my neighbors to pull these old bushes out and start over.  Instead my neighbors make a few adjustments to the soil and it seems with their persistence and the right weather combination, the berries come back.   

The other day I got the call, “We are going on vacation.  Take as much as you want.” 

It sounded like it had been a fruitful year.  A friend and I eagerly went to pick.  But the berries were small and sparse – probably picked over.  After an hour, we’d had enough. Berry accumulation wouldn’t even make a pie.  Packing up, my eye caught the reflection of something in the setting sun, glimmering in the middle of the bushes.  I put on my long sleeves so as not to get scratches, and grabbed a rake, crawling toward the middle of the trees.  Then pulling some branches away with the rake, I was able to stand on my tiptoes.  Wow!  I found treasure - big, juicy, purple berries! 

The berries in the center were hard to reach but… were they worth it!  In a matter of minutes, our produce doubled.  Though these berries were hard to get, taking some strategic maneuvering and additional tools, they were just waiting for someone to make the extra effort to pick them.   The harvest was plentiful!  

This morning as I reflected on my neighbor’s blueberry bushes, my thoughts turned to some of the beautiful churches that I love, celebrating their 50th and 100th- year anniversaries.  They’ve done a great job and sometimes it seems like their work is done. 

Then I thought about the kids that need Jesus - scads of them!  In my own little corner of the world, there are bunches of kids and families, just waiting.  But it may take some different strategies, maneuvering, and additional tools. 

Sometimes I find myself in awkward or uncomfortable situations trying to reach them.  Family dynamics can feel a little “scratchy”. I’ve been discussing things that 5 years ago, I never dreamed I would be talking to kids about. But in the end, it has been worth it! 

So how about putting the two together?  Whether your church is old growth or brand new, my guess is, if God still has your church alive, He still has some great work for you to do!  But maybe you need to get on your tiptoes, or your knees and ask God to help you see what only He can see! 

Jesus saw something in Samaria that no one else saw. He challenged us to do the same. “I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields!  They are ripe for harvest.” (John 4:35) 

Until Every Boy and Girl Knows Jesus!

-Annie Crain

*Names of Children always changed