Kids Hope Needs 15 Mentors

When I was in fourth grade my siblings and I performed a skit for our church small group. The skit opened with my dad holding a flashlight over my head as I crawled on the floor searching for a lost dollar. My brother and sister each happened along the scene and joined me in the search. As the feverish hunt continued, my brother asked where I last saw the dollar. I pointed to the other end of the room and said “way over there”.  My sister then inquired as to why we weren’t looking over there. To which I exclaimed “because this is where the light is!”

One of the joys of working with younger children is to see how they make sense of the world around them. Their little minds are making connections and storing away images and ideas about how and why things work. It is a real blessing to be able witness and learn from the earnest innocence of a child, and it is a great responsibility to be a role model for the children in our church and community.

Just like the skit, children are drawn to light. They are drawn to sources of clarity, of explanation and understanding. They are drawn to people who can help them make sense of the world around them and influence what they will become as they continue growing. If you look at popular culture you will see many examples of people shining a light that leads straight into darkness and confusion, and the same is true in our community. There is brokenness and confusion in the homes and families around us, and this has devastating effects on the children in our community.

For the past several years New Life has been partnering with Kids Hope USA to bring the light of the Gospel to the Yorktown school system. By giving up one hour of your week to spend with one child you have an opportunity to impact that child’s heart with the truth of the Gospel and change their life forever. You don’t have to prepare lessons, just show up and play games, help with school work, listen and love on your child.

One hour a week may seem to some of you like a small amount of time, but God will use it to radically change lives. To others of you one hour a week may seem like a significant amount of time to take out your already busy schedule, but you know what, it’s even more significant to the child you could be spending it with.

In John 8, Jesus said “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” As I said before, children are drawn to the light. They are drawn to the clarity that beckons to them from the midst of confusion. You have a tremendous opportunity not only to change one child’s life, but to impact an entire class, an entire grade, an entire school, and an entire community, because as the light of the Gospel spreads more and more, people will be drawn to it.

With the 2011-2012 school year in full swing Kids Hope is getting ready to start up as well. We still have thirteen elementary students that need tutors. Please prayerfully consider giving up an hour of your time each week to be a light in life of one of these students.

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” ~Matt. 5:14-16