“A broken reed He will not break [off] And a dimly burning wick He will not extinguish [He will not harm those who are weak and suffering]; He will faithfully bring forth justice.
Isaiah 42:3 (AMP)
One of the reasons it is so important to share Jesus’ message of salvation with children is that many of them are experiencing trauma and hurt at a very young age. We cannot know if a child is dealing with:
| drug abuse | homelessness | abandonment | hunger | physical abuse |
| bullying | fear of death | a broken home | verbal abuse | depression |
Any of these hardships are difficult for an adult, but devastating to a child. During Covid, the cases of abuse rose dramatically, child counselors were in high demand, and many children of two-worker families were left on their own during the day.
The dedicated teachers in our schools truly care about the children’s welfare. Learning how to read, write, do math, and think critically are so important. Schools try to meet physical needs as well – gathering school supplies and providing lunches and extra staples to needy families. Their task is great and they do all they can.
Who will tell a child that God loves him more than he can imagine? Teachers are not allowed to. Do we really believe that our God is all powerful and can heal hurts both physically and mentally? There are needs that are greater than teachers and even parents can face on their own.
What will compassionate Christian communities do about it? Will we go outside our comfort zones – the church building, our immediate neighborhood, our circle of family and friends – to tell elementary students and their families who Jesus is? The Father and His Only Son stand ready to embrace them and invite them into a Forever Family.
How can you and I make a difference? The first thing children want to know is – do you care? In our Good News Clubs, our teachers are the face and hands of Jesus, meeting children where they are (in schools) week after week. The love and compassion they show may be the only the Bible that children will read.
Won’t you ask God what you can do to have a Good News Club in all 81 schools on the Peninsula? Will you pray for your church to send a team into the school nearest you? Are you able to give a scholarship to a teen who will be a summer missionary?
God never calls unless He supplies all we need to do the task. God bless you.
