MINISTRY FOCUS: AWANA

Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed

The goal of the AWANA programs is to equip churches and parents to help train children in knowing, loving and serving Jesus Christ. Kids have fun at weekly AWANA meetings, learning through songs, Bible lessons, games, and memory work.

The acronym for AWANA is taken from 2 Timothy 2:15:

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. (NIV)

My family and I are currently involved with an AWANA program at our local church. Other programs can be found all over the country. If you are interested in knowing more, you can check out the website for more information, and you can also access a "locator" there to find a club in your area.

MINISTRY FOCUS: Kids' Klubs, Inc.

Rene and Lynn Noble are the current directors of KIDS' KLUBS, Inc., a non-profit ministry dedicated to reaching children for Christ through weekly clubs and Summer camps. The ministry has continued now for more than 53 years with the same purpose: to reach and teach children for Christ.

Rene and Lynn began their ministry with Kids' Klubs in the fall of 1988. With headquarters located in Malden, IL, they have clubs located in various towns throughout IL, as well as a few clubs in other states. 

Several years ago, my husband and I (along with a few friends) were involved in helping get a club started at our church in central Illinois. This club is still going and has been a great outreach to the children in this community.

Clubs generally follow a format each week that looks like this:

• Open with pledges
• Song Time
• Contest Time
• Missionary Emphasis
• Weekly Memory Verse with Game
• Weekly Bible Lesson
• Sword Drill

Check out the Basic Requirements if you are intersted in starting a Kids' Klub in your own church. The Nobles are great people to work with and will provide many helpful materials for club hosts, including lesson plans and awards. Other materials can be loaned for a deposit, or purchased on your own.

To help support this ministry in other ways, feel free to contact the Nobles at the address listed on the website.

MINISTRY FOCUS: Child Evangelism Fellowship

If you are looking for a Bible-centered ministry dedicated specifically to reaching children with the Gospel of Jesus Christ and getting them established into a local church, then Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF) is the organization for you.

VARIOUS MINISTRIES OF CEF INCLUDE:

* Good News Clubs - Trained teachers meet with groups of children in schools, homes, community centers, churches, apartment complexes, or just about anywhere the children can easily and safely meet with their parent's permission. Each week the teacher presents an exciting Bible lesson using colorful materials from CEF Press®. This action-packed time also includes songs, Scripture memory, a missions story and review games or other activities.

* 5-Day Clubs - Fun-filled club, one and one-half hours, held each day for five consecutive days. It includes:  Bible lessons, creative learning activities, missionary story, songs, and Scripture memorization.

* Camp Good News - Various Summer camps are located in Indiana, Illinois, New Hampshire, Texas, Maine, Florida, and Wyoming. (When I was a child/teen, the camp my family attended/worked at on a regular basis was located in Minnesota. That camp is still there, but I am pretty sure it is no longer operated by CEF Ministries. I have such wonderful memories of being a part of this camp! My brother put together this VIDEO in memory of the times we all shared there in the 1980's.)

* FREE ONLINE WORDLESS BOOK TRAINING - A Wordless Book is a small book with no words that uses five colored pages in presenting the Gospel message in an easy way. The colors represent Heaven, the darkness of sin, the blood of Christ, a clean heart, and Christian growth. CEF has a free training session you can sign up for online. Books and instruction leaflets can be purchased inexpensively at the CEF STORE. (Note:  I have also seen some individuals make their own booklets out of construction paper, or make a beaded bracelet with the various colors.)

WAYS TO SERVE:

~ Christian Youth in Action - A program for Teens, designed to train them to teach children about the Lord in effective and engaging ways. I took part in this ministry during the summer when I was 16. It was a great experience and one that I will never forget. I believe my sister also took part one year; and my brother couldn't get enough of it. He served for several years.

~ Volunteer at International Headquarters - Located in Warrenton, MO - 50 miles west of St. Louis. Local area volunteer missionaries serve during the week (Monday-Friday), while visiting volunteer missionaries stay a minimum of one week (Arrive Sunday; depart Saturday after breakfast.) Lunch is provided for local volunteers. Visiting volunteer missionaries enjoy full meals and lodging (private room or RV site) and are charged $10 per night, per person, to help offset volunteer costs.

~ Prayer Support - Join in prayer for the needs of children and CEF missionaries around the world. Pray specifically by selecting a prayer request from the list provided on the website.

~ Monetary Donations - CEF is a charter member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA) and all donations are tax deductible.

MINISTRY FOCUS: Think On These Things Ministries

Think On These Things Ministries is an outreach of Southern View Chapel, an independent Bible Church whose goal is to  teach God's Word accurately and unapologetically. The ministry helps to equip believers through books, book reviews, Bible conferences, theology lessons, and articles dealing with contemporary theological issues.

A monthly publication, also called "Think On These Things," includes their latest article, book reviews and more. It is provided FREE of charge to anyone interested.

The articles and book reviews can be found on the church website, or the monthly newsletter can be sent to you via regular mail or e-mail. Please contact SVC to subscribe. Again, there is no charge, however, donations are gladly accepted.

MINISTRY FOCUS: Kentucky Mountain Mission

My brother, Daniel, and his family have recently been accepted as missionaries with Kentucky Mountain Mission, a conservative, independent, evangelical, faith Mission that ministers in southeast Kentucky. Through various outreaches, the mission helps spread the gospel of Jesus Christ in the Kentucky mountains and vicinity. Their outreaches include:



~ Rural church ministry - KMM missionaries pastor rural churches in various counties of southeast Kentucky. Church ministries include weekly worship services, Sunday school, Bible studies, Vacation Bible Schools, home and hospital visitation, youth outreaches and discipleship. 



~ Community Outreach - Fitness/recreational facilities, Dental clinics, School chapel programs, Prison ministry, Nursing home ministry, Biblical Counseling, Community VBS programs, etc.



Pond at the Camp



~ Gospel Team - The Crusaders use puppets, music, illusion, skits and ventriloquism, to share the love of Jesus each year in school programs, churches and community events.

~ Youth Haven Bible Camp - Summer camps and spring/fall weekend retreats for children and teens, and for campers with disabilities. Volunteer opportunities are also available for working at the camp during the Summer months. I have a nephew who is serving there this Summer, and is finding it to be a very rewarding experience. Contact the mision office for additional information. They would be happy to send you a brochure, camper registration forms, or a volunteer application. 

Daniel and his family are currently in the process of trying to raise much-needed support for their monthly expenses. If you would be interested in helping them, or would like more information on this ministry opportunity, please feel free to CONTACT ME.







MINISTRY FOCUS: Answers in Genesis

Two Summers ago, my family and I went to the Cincinnati, Ohio area for vacation. While there, we spent two days at the CREATION MUSEUM, located in Petersburg, Kentucky (near Cincinnati) . It is a part of a Christian ministry called ANSWERS IN GENESIS. We really enjoyed our time there, as it was informational, educational, interesting, and fun.

For those who may not be familiar with Answers in Genesis, it is a non-profit ministry dedicated to helping Christians defend their faith and proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ effectively, while focusing primarily on topics surrounding the book of Genesis - things like the creation of the world, dinosaurs, and a world-wide flood.

If you ever get a chance to visit the Creation Museum, I highly recommend it. But, if you are unable to go,  you can purchase a wide variety of products from the AIG STORE, including books for children and adults, CD's, DVD's, magazines, and curriculum.  

There are also various other options for SUPPORTING this not-profit ministry:  Monetary donations, Prayer support, and Volunteer work.  Youth (ages 11-17) and adults are both encouraged to volunteer at the Creation Museum. Check out the GUIDELINES in order to take part in this important ministry opportunity.

MINISTRY FOCUS: Gateway Biblical Counseling and Training Center

For those who are in the St. Louis area, Gateway Biblical Counseling and Training Center is located approximately 12 miles east of St Louis, MO, just off I-64 in Fairview Heights, Illinois.

I have friends and family who are personally involved with this Biblical counseling ministry. Marriage, individual, and family counseling is offered at NO CHARGE. There is only a small charge for a counseling packet as you first begin your sessions. If you need this type of counseling, feel free to schedule an appointment, or request more information, by calling the number listed on their website.

If you would like to be trained to become a Biblical Counselor, Gateway does that, too! (NOTE:  Any classes you take through Gateway can also be submitted to Masters International School of Divinity for credit consideration in their Biblical Counseling degree.)

This is a wonderful ministry with volunteers who take their time to counsel and train. If the Lord lays it on your heart, please consider supporting them through your monestary DONATIONS.

The Right Hand

I had often wondered why Isaiah 41:13, as well as many other verses in the Bible, mentions the RIGHT hand in the verse. So, I recently did some research and decided to share what I found. There is now a new tab towards the top of this blog, titled:  WHY THE RIGHT HAND? Just click on that to go take a look!

Broad Stripes and Bright Stars

The United States flag consists of thirteen horizontal stripes (seven red, alternating with 6 white) and 50 stars.

The stripes represent the original 13 colonies.

The stars represent the 50 states of the Union.

The colors of the flag are symbolic as well:

Red  symbolizes Hardiness and Valor

White symbolizes Purity and Innocence 

Blue  represents Vigilance, Perseverance and Justice

The Star Spangled Banner

By Francis Scott Key 1814

Oh, say can you see by the dawn's early light

What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?

Whose broad stripes and bright stars thru the perilous fight,

O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?

And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air,

Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.

Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave

O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

Happy 4th of July!

Happy INDEPENDENCE Day!

Happy BIRTHDAY America!

Information used from:  USA FLAG SITE

MINISTRY FOCUS: Medical Teams International

The mission of Medical Teams International is:  To demonstrate the love of Christ to people affected by disaster, conflict and poverty around the world.

Volunteer doctors, nurses, EMTs, and various other medical professionals are sent to areas where healthcare is not otherwise provided. If you are interested in learning more, you can go to the website to read about Disaster Response Volunteer Opportunities.

Not in a medical profession? That's okay, you can still help! There are other USA Based Volunteer Opportunities located in the states of Oregon, Washington, and Minnesota. They accept volunteers who are 16 years of age or older.

There are also various ways to make a DONATION to Medical Teams International. They are a 501(c)3 organization and will acknowledge every donation with a receipt for tax purposes.

NON-CASH DONATIONS are also accepted, such as medical supplies and over-the-counter medications. A great project idea for your church, youth group, organization, or for individual families, is to assemble HOPE KITS and mail them to the headquarters in Oregon. Hope Kits are small packages of either pesonal care items, or school supplies (see the requirements on the list) that are sent to children in orphanages, refugee camps, disaster zones, or communities. Each family/child could package up one two kits, then collect them all and mail all at once. Great service project!

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6-26-14 UPDATE:  Hope Kits are no longer listed on the website. But, other types of donations are still being accepted.