After Care
What started as a vision that God gave to Bro. Terry Council, has bloomed in one year to a full ministry within our church. But it is not a ministry to just the kids at Blessed Hope. If fact, it is a ministry to those outside the church, although some from within the church are enjoying the blessings of the ministry.
When asked what brought AfterCare into being, Bro. Terry shared how he had observed children riding through the church property during Sunday School. He decided to determine, by driving around town and observing, those that were already outside on Sunday morning, but were not in a church setting. He recounted how he had seen as many as 25-30 children on his brief journey on several Sunday mornings during Sunday School.
Through seeing those children with no apparent direction, he was burdened by the Lord to share Jesus with them. But what would be the best way of doing that? As he prayed and sought the Lord's direction, He decided that he would simply add a note to the church bulletin, "It's Coming". For several weeks the message was placed there but with no apparent response. Then one week he decided to place a new message, "It's Coming, AfterCare". For several weeks this was inserted into the bulletin, and one day a lady asked him, "What's AfterCare?". He shared his vision with her and the Lord moved in her heart to help. From that a ministry was formed to reach out to children.
The initial planning was done as the Lord directed. Children were simply invited to an after-school program consisting of food, Bible Study, homework assistance and games. In the year since AfterCare has begun, the group has grown to 15-20 children each Tuesday and Thursday who are fed a good meal, given Spiritual instruction from God's Word, helped with homework assignments and given opportunity to share in a fun time of games.
When asked why He felt the Lord wanted this for Blessed Hope, Bro. Council stated, "I wasn't interested in the numbers, but in the kids. I saw it as an opportunity to share Jesus with those that might attend, and also as a means of sharing with their parents as well."
Since the inception of AfterCare, six of those attending have professed faith in Christ, with two of those having been baptised. In addition, seven to eight of those children that were not in church before are now attending church somewhere. Bro. Terry responded, when asked if they were all attending Blessed Hope, "No, but I didn't start this to get our church numbers up. I did it because the Lord laid it on my heart to minister to those kids."
So how are the children responding? "Well the first few meetings of AfterCare were somewhat chaotic. The children were seeking as much attention as they could get. When the attention was shown to them that they needed, they became less involved in trying to gain attention, and simply enjoyed that which was offered", Bro. Council said.
"Whenever the children arrive at AfterCare, the first thing they do is get their hugs". Bro. Terry said. "They simply need someone to show them that they care for them, and through that we are able to show them that God loves them enough to send His Son Jesus for them."
The children are not the only ones that have been affected by this ministry. Blessed Hope has also been affected by this ministry. Bro. Terry expressed thankfulness to God for those, approximately twelve adults, that have come to assist in the program. Those involved in the ministry to these kids are being blessed, as well as being a blessing to the kids. Mrs. Thelma Miller responded that, "Just getting to spend time with these kids is a special blessing for me".
Mrs. Wanda Spaulding said, "My hope is that, somewhere down the road the kids will remember the love that was shown to them by those of us that worked in AfterCare". Still others responded about how wonderful it is that some of these children had come to faith in Christ, and will be with them in Heaven. All of this is a result of the message of Christ being shared with them, along with the love and fun they experience through AfterCare.
Those who have assisted or are currently assisting in AfterCare are:
Jay, Wanda, and David Spaulding
Hollis "Popeye" & Francis Diviney
Thelma Miller
Nancy Hooper
Sandra, Linda, and Barbara Flowers
Serena Hunter
Janice Hickey