When a child begins a relationship with Jesus, it is a cause for celebration. Jesus gave us the command to make disciples; since then, history has been repeating itself with each new (spiritual) birth. A little over a month ago, my first grandchild was born. Before she was physically here, there was a team of people praying for her physical birth and her spiritual birth. However, there are many children in our communities who do not have that spiritual heritage to draw from. Therefore, I am delighted to serve at Joy El, where we see children and adults make the decision to begin a relationship with Jesus.
We have the privilege in Bible Adventure and CIA (Middle School) to teach students the Bible. We connect them with a caring adult who will pray for them and disciple them in the scriptures.
Pastor Chris Reinford is a pastor at Ephrata Church of the Brethren, a school coordinator for Ephrata Intermediate, and teacher for both Ephrata Intermediate and Akron Elementary School’s Bible Adventure classes. He is a faithful volunteer who has served with us for many years.
He has had the opportunity to build a relationship with some of these students since they were in fourth grade at Akron Elementary. Some have even chosen to get connected to the local church by attending youth group at Pastor Reinford’s church. He gets to experience first-hand God working in these students through their study of the Scriptures together.
You, too, can get connected with children in a way that will have an eternal impact on their lives. You can find a local Bible Adventure and/or CIA and become a volunteer. Valerie Bell, the speaker at our Kick-off Rally in August said it best as she spoke to Bible Adventure and CIA volunteers, “You are the presence of a loving caring adult in the students’ life. You carry the Spirit of God in you. You are a link in the chain of faith for this generation.” We would love the opportunity to help you get connected to a current Bible Adventure or assist you in opening a new program.
