We regularly hear stories of kids getting into trouble, but this was new. Mostly, we hear about childhood mischief, or misbehavior to get attention. Some kids go as far as causing trouble in an attempt to communicate their need for serious help. But Charles' story (not his real name) was different. He was in trouble for reading his Bible.
Does Charles live in underground China? In a Muslim country? In Hindu India? No. He lives in the United States of America.
Actually, his parents claimed he was reading his Bible too much. But the boy just couldn't help himself. A few days earlier, Charles, who had never ever heard about the love of Jesus, had made a decision to follow Christ. He was anxious to learn everything he could about his new life. He had read a whole book in the New Testament. Every day, he came with new questions for leaders at a kids club he was attending. Questions about the books of the Bible, weird Bible words, simple Bible words (like prayer and sin). He came with questions about families, parents, relationships, forgiveness ... his family was going through a divorce. The timing of his new relationships with Jesus could not have been better. Years later, Charles continues to grow in his life with Christ.
Millions of kids like Charles, life in your neighborhood. It doesn't matter where you live: China, Africa, India, Iraq, or North America. There are more kids waiting to hear the truth about Jesus than ever before: billions of them. Some are facing terrible social and practical challenges. Some, may have an easy life. But all are at risk of not knowing Jesus, ever, unless we do something about it.
Every second of every day, three more children are born into families that do not know Jesus. That's 86 million each year.
Imagine that every member of every short term team was able to reach ten children for Christ. With 1.6 million people going on short term teams each year (and we know they don't all focus on kids), that would be ... 11.6 million kids reached. (Remember ... 86 million unreached kids are born each year).
How will it happen? Who will tell them? And who will help them grow in their relationship with Christ? We don't have all the answers. But we know that God wants them to know him, even more than we do. It's time to pray.
Pray for more people to focus on reaching kids. Pray for people who work with needy children, to recognized that kids need the transforming love of Jesus, in addition to practical help for their social needs. Pray for kids you know -- that they would come to follow Jesus, as you do.
God will hear. God will answer. And he just might work through you. Are you ready?
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