God's Encouragment

This school year, it has become harder and harder to establish a Good News Club in the public schools. The latest tactic to block a GNC is to allow the use of the room but not allow GNC flyers to be distributed to students. This makes it very difficult to get the word out about GNC. Often times school officals say that they don't want to offend anyone so they won't pass out any non school flyers. Despite this, God still is victorious. Many schools thankfully still allow GNC flyers to be distributed. I walked into one such school, Troy Crossroad. I noticed that on the wall of the cafeteria, where we have GNC, is this mural with the words "We are all wonderfully made." Sound familiar? Pslam 139:14! What an encouragement to me that in times where some schools are trying to discourage the GNC from coming in, God shows this mural to me as a reminder that God is at work and His will will be accomplished no matter what men say. Below is the full mural as it is in the school cafeteria for all to see every day.

"I know that just being good is not good enough to get into Heaven"

When asked the question "How to go to Heaven?", many unbelieving kids will say "Be Good." McKenzie walked into GNC at Edna Keith with this belief. She is an older girl, 4th or 5th grade. Typically, kids this age rarely come to a GNC, thinking it is for little kids. But not McKenzie, she has been coming for several weeks. This Monday when she heard her GNC teacher share the Bible lesson, it clicked in her mind that her previous view of be good and you'll go to heaven was wrong. The Holy Spirit was working in her heart. When the chance to talk to the GNC teacher about becoming God's child, McKenzie responded. When asked why she came back, she said "I know that just being good is not good enough to go to heaven." She wanted to become God's child. So, in the gym of Edna Keith Elementary School, McKenzie became God's child and now knows she will be in Heaven one day. Pray with me for McKenzie as she grows in her faith.

GNC Teacher Shares Testimony

Part of my job as Good News Club coordinator is not only to work with the boys and girls but also to work with and encourage the adult volunteers. Recently I had a conversion with one GNC volunteer. She was sharing about how the club she is in and what God is doing. She mentioned that her fellow teacher mentioned that she really has a way with kids. This GNC teacher responded. "Actually, I'd rather be teaching teens and adults then kids. You see I never had a normal childhood and cannot relate to where children are at today. However, when I get up in front of a Good News Club or any other group of kids, the Lord Jesus makes me a kid so that they will listen to God so that He may relate to them."

Praise God for the work He is doing in the lives of the GNC kids as well as the staff that teaches them.

Teaching the Bible in School? You can do that?

"Teaching the Bible in School? You can do that?" Marcus asked. Marcus's son Adrian attends Union school and was shocked when his son came home with a flyer for Good News Club that was starting at Union. Intrigued by the prospect, Marcus called. I explained that it was true that the Supreme Court in a 6 to 3 decision granted us equal access to school use after school. Marcus and his wife and son are believers and are simply thrilled that Adrian can learn more about God after school. When Adrian's mom, Michelle, picked him up after the first week, she was beaming with excitement.

This is a reminder to me that many many people in our community have no idea that we can share the gospel in the classrooms after school with a Good News Club. I pray that this excitement catches on. Who knows, perhaps Marcus and Michelle may want to get involved themselves in a Good News Club?