New vision for one outreach, continued passion for others
By Lindy Spore

Kids: Whether we have them or not, the reality is that they are our future. Since they are the future, we as young people with so many resources need to rise and take a stand, to fight for the right to inspire and ignite a life.

We need to declare liberty from the pressures of busy academic life, in order to clear the way for the next generation to make their mark on America and the rest of the world. How do we do this? By reaching out to these children and being God's hands.

All right, perhaps this article may sound more like the beginning of a speech on reformation. But, regardless of the proclamation, my desire is to plant a seed-a seed that may grow into a passion for helping mankind.

As Dorm Coordinator for the Community Outreach Department, I am bringing to you three more that I have come across and want to share with you. I hope they will be inspiring.

Kids for Christ is a large organization that reaches the children of the nation, and has done so for years. Volunteers travel to various schools to speak to elementary kids either before and/or after school, bringing the Word of God, as well as song and worship. Senior Nikki Applewhite envisioned this as an outreach for ORU students, and sophomore Juddie Williams took the torch by running with this dream.

Although the outreach has not yet begun (but will within the next month), Williams has big plans. There are 14 elementary schools lined up where you can go for 30 minutes to bring the gospel to children through devotionals and prayer.

"This is like church for them," Williams said. "The children may come from broken homes, or homes where the parents are not saved. They may then return home, share what they have learned, and who's to say dad and mom won't get saved?"

The goal, Williams says, is to "go to public schools and bring the love of Christ to these children...to be an example [by] using prayer...[and] praise."

Also, the performing arts group of Community Outreach plans to hook up with Kids for Christ to bring skits to the youngsters. The vision is definitely expanding, and it's only just begun!

"Whoever wants to pour into these children's lives with [their] gifts and talents...they're welcome," Williams said.

The second outreach is to the MEND Crisis Pregnancy Center. Each Monday and Tuesday, from 6:30 to 8 p.m., Natalie Curtis leads a group of fellow students to the Crisis Pregnancy Center. The center is for single mothers and those who need encouragement, but what happens to their kids?

The solution comes with you! No counseling skills are necessary, but if you have able hands to hold a tiny infant or play "duck-duck-goose" or "peek-a-boo," and if you have a smile to offer these little ones, you're just what the doctor ordered!

To "serve mothers [and] to show there are young people...[who care]" is what it's all about, says Curtis. The outreach enables the mothers to attend therapy sessions offered at the clinic. There may be as many as 16 kids, ranging from birth to 12 years of age. Your hands may be full, but so will your heart with overflowing joy at the time spent well on these precious children.

Before I come to the close of this article, I'll make brief mention of the Adopt-a-Block Outreach, which congregates every Saturday at the Dream Center.

As impacting as this outreach is, there is something equally amazing that is rising with sure-fire success. When Mike Hirsch, leader of Adopt-a-Block, invited sophomore Katie Goulet to lead a children's ministry, she grasped hold of the dream and dived in.

As you may know, the Adopt-a-Block outreach ministers by doing good deeds throughout the neighborhoods of North Tulsa. For months, a group goes separately to minister to children by having them memorize Bible verses, then making an explanation of the lesson. It was a big hit with the kids. Goulet embraced a new vision of the ministry in February.

Now, flyers are handed out to children to meet at "The Lot," the coined name of the dirt parking lot of the Dream Center. The kids come in flocks, where they shoot some hoops with the cool college students and get candy to fancy their taste buds.

Goulet, along with a group of students, set to work to plant the Word into these young hearts and the wisdom of God into their minds. Goulet and Rhonda Doubet have planned contests for them. For example, whichever group remembers the most memory verses wins a pizza party at the end of April.

Goulet's dream is to fulfill the words of Proverbs 22:6, to "put God's Word in their hearts...to instill God in them while they are young." It is when the children go home and share with their parents what they have learned on Saturday morning that the message of the Gospel will explode within these families and ultimately bring change.

The future is bright with hopes of soon transforming this ministry into a Bill Wilson-type ministry. With a truck to become an outdoor stage, a booming sound system, and dozens, if not hundreds, of kids coming to hear God's Word through speakers, there is no doubt that the Holy Spirit is at work in these children.

In this world there are passengers who cruise along, who watch from their cozy windows and admire the view. There are also drivers, who go where their hearts are leading-not just on paved roads but on the roads not yet wandered. They are the ones who put the pedal to the metal, full speed ahead, not with the question in their mind, "What is on the other side of this hill?"

Rather, they say, "I'm going to plow and make some new roads; I'm going to stir up some dust and make a city where there's desolation."

In this life, which one are you? The passenger or the driver? For a road map, call the Community Outreach Department at x7728...Oh, and don't forget to buckle up!

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