Friday, August 20, 2010

Eight Hope Builders for College Corner Kids: #8 - Education


VBS is over and a great time was had by all!The kids are back in school and I am continuing on with the last installment of an eight part series discussing what it takes to give hope to kids in CC.

Education

Kids have returned to CC Elementary and back to the books. One of the keys to breaking the cycle of poverty is an education. With today's economy the further one continues on in their education the greater the possibility to have a fulfilling career.

But if children struggle in school, specifically reading, the greater the chance of being stuck in a cycle of poverty. That is why we need your prayers for College Corner Whiz Kids. This ministry targets kids with reading problems and comes along side them to tutor and show the love of Christ.

This ministry saw on little girl come to Christ last year! This year we are in need of volunteers so that Whiz Kids is able to continue on. Please pray that the folks that heard about this ministry during the Junction Tour will get involved if God is calling them.

Let us pray that kids pursue an education so that they can use their God given abilities/gifting to become all that God created them to be. The goal is not an education in order to make a lot of money, but to be fruitful and use their vocation to bless others and glorify God!

This ends this series and I would ask you to pray that God would bring hope that lasts a lifetime in the lives of the children of College Corner!

Saturday, August 14, 2010

Eight Hope Builders for College Corner Kids: #7 - Sharing Hope


VBS is over and a great time was had by all!The Unity Service attendance was over 215! As the kids get ready to head back to school.I am continuing on with the seventh installment of an eight part series discussing what it takes to give hope to kids in CC.

Sharing Hope

The VBS committee felt that God had laid on their hearts a message of hope for the kids in CC in 2010, and I believe we did a good job of delivering it. But hope doesn't stop now that VBS is over. Hope is a thing that God intends to be in constant motion because it lasts forever and never stops:

1 Corinthians 13:13
Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love

It begins with the everlasting Father and flows from his throne to us here in CC. It flowed to the kids at VBS and it must continue to be shared. Hope is like a good (clean) joke - it makes us laugh and we enjoy making others laugh when we share it.

I am proud to say that the kids and those attending the Unity Service shared the hope of Christ by raising $620 for the Shriner's Children's Hospital in Cincinnati! God blessed Brandon Pierce through Shriner's and our community has responded with a great big thank you offering. Prayers were answered for Brandon's life and recovery and his story gives hope to others making their way back from a life changing accident. How sweet it is to know our kids and our community is sharing the healing hope of Christ to those in need! Hope is a verb, it is everlasting,and meant to be shared:

Acts 20:35
You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Eight Hope Builders for College Corner Kids: #6 - Your Story


Hello folks,
VBS is all most over! Sunday is the Unity Service and before you know it the kids will be back in school.I am continuing on with the sith installment of an eight part series discussing what it takes to give hope to kids in CC.

Your Story

Many of us involved in VBS this week probably saw many kids you knew from previous years and some new faces too. As we get to know kids it is good to share your story with them. Kids are interested in what it was like when you were a kid. They like to hear what you did for fun, what fears and worries bothered you growing up. When they hear your story you become approachable and relatable.

One of the most powerful things you can share with kids is your faith story. How you became a Christian and how God helps you everyday can have a powerful impact, especialy for kids in troubled homes. Your story can help kids build hope that they can make it if you made and are still making it with God's help.

Check out the power of these peoples faith stories in the New Testament:

Luke 8

So Jesus returned to the boat and left, crossing back to the other side of the lake. 38 The man who had been freed from the demons begged to go with him. But Jesus sent him home, saying, 39 “No, go back to your family, and tell them everything God has done for you.” So he went all through the town proclaiming the great things Jesus had done for him.

John 4

The woman left her water jar beside the well and ran back to the village, telling everyone, 29 “Come and see a man who told me everything I ever did! Could he possibly be the Messiah?” 30 So the people came streaming from the village to see him.... 39 Many Samaritans from the village believed in Jesus because the woman had said, “He told me everything I ever did!” 40 When they came out to see him, they begged him to stay in their village. So he stayed for two days, 41 long enough for many more to hear his message and believe. 42 Then they said to the woman, “Now we believe, not just because of what you told us, but because we have heard him ourselves. Now we know that he is indeed the Savior of the world.”

John 9

6 Then he (Jesus) spit on the ground, made mud with the saliva, and spread the mud over the blind man’s eyes. 7 He told him, “Go wash yourself in the pool of Siloam” (Siloam means “sent”). So the man went and washed and came back seeing!...
30 “Why, that’s very strange!” the man replied. “He healed my eyes, and yet you don’t know where he comes from? 31 We know that God doesn’t listen to sinners, but he is ready to hear those who worship him and do his will. 32 Ever since the world began, no one has been able to open the eyes of someone born blind. 33 If this man were not from God, he couldn’t have done it.”

2 Timothy 1

3 Timothy, .. 5 I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you. 6 This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you. 7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.8 So never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord.

Just like these folks your story could have a huge impact one someone like a little kid, your neighbor,co-worker or family member. So, take time to share your story and I am sure God will use it to build hope in a child in College Corner!

Take a Break!


Hello folks,

Great job by everyone and thank God we got done before that storm hit last night! I know every one is hot and tired, so take a break - cool off - we will see you all Sunday morning at 11am!

Monday, August 2, 2010

Get Ready, Get Set...Go!


Hello folks,

It is here! It is VBS time - God has blessed us with beautiful weather and I look forward to seeing everyone at the Grove tonight. Remember, the first night is crazy but it will all come together by the end of the night.

Ask God to help you tonight and to bless the kids giving them hearts open to his love, grace and hope!

See ya soon!