A Prime Time for Ministry
As a child, I could not wait for summertime. I could not wait to see my friends, go on vacation, and play tennis. Most importantly, I could not wait to get out of school. The grades, homework, and projects were finished for a few months. I did not have to get up early for school or sit in a classroom all day when I wanted to be outside.
Summertime can be fun for children and a great time for ministry to children and youth. They are not locked into a school schedule. Instead, many are free to enjoy life. Some go on vacation, and some go to camp. Those serving in different youth ministry forms know that summertime is important because children are looking for things to do.
I have been grateful to be involved in kids and youth ministry for many years. This type of ministry has helped me see the need to take advantage of the time God gives you. Summertime is an opportunity to invest in children because they will be looking for things to do, so their schedules will be filled. Since school is out, children want to do things that they may not have done since they have school projects to complete, homework to do, and tests to study for during the school year.
I am excited to see Know Ministries invest in many students this summer. We believe in the power of partnership and working with others who believe in the importance of investing in children. Therefore, I am excited for the many opportunities we have this summer to help children know Jesus loves them.
Some of our Bible distributions this summer are with new ministry partners; others are opportunities to work with past partners. Because people have prayed and supported our mission, hundreds of children from different cities, states, and countries will receive a new Bible this summer.
I ask that you pray for the children in Nashville, Atlanta, New Orleans, Birmingham, and Belize who will receive a new Bible. This summer, two hundred children in Nashville, TN, will attend summer camp at Nashville Inner City Ministries and will receive a new Bible. Fifty children in Atlanta, GA will attend the Atlanta Inner City Ministries camp this July and be blessed with a new Bible. Eighty children from Urban Impact in New Orleans, LA will know God loves them because they will be able to learn more about God when they receive a new Bible. Fifty Bibles will be provided to children and families in a community in Birmingham, AL, when a church uses its outreach efforts to spread the Gospel. Finally, we expand into a new country this summer when people work together to bless communities in Belize who have little to no access to a Bible or knowledge of Jesus.
This will be a summer that children will remember they can be enlightened by the hope of Jesus.
Bishop Barlow
President of Know Ministries