The 2015 Creative Ministries Festival included a block party for students and leaders to use their skills in community outreach. There were performances by puppets, step teams, drama teams and individual performers. Clowns, balloons, good food and bouncy climbers rounded out the activities.
I arrived early to be sure that the setups were ready and to help as needed. A man with a teenager and three grade school age boys arrived early. The car was old and the dad showed the effects of some hard living with tattoos and missing teeth. He was very receptive to my welcome and conversation with he and the boys.
I have been using “colors of faith” bracelets this year with people of all ages. People will note the bracelet and I respond, “I will give it to you if you will let me tell you about it.” Always people are ready to listen. This dad and the boys were no exception.
I leaned in the car window and explained the plan of salvation using the colors in the bracelet. To my surprise one of the boys said, “Could I get a Bible? We used to go to church and we don’t go anymore. I miss reading the Bible.” We quickly secured a Bible. The dad and boys stayed for the block party and the church was able to get the information needed to follow up with the family.
Your gifts to the Eliza Broadus Offering made that conversation possible. EBO helps to provide funding for missions events for children and students. Creative Ministries Festival is the newest in the WMU family of events which allow us to teach missions and provide hands on missions experiences at the same time.
You have likely heard the news that due to revenue shortfalls, 600-800 missionaries will be returning home from overseas assignments. This is the outcome of failing to help our children and youth understand the lostness of the world and teaching them the ways we send and support missionaries. The WMU display at the Kentucky Baptist Convention is focused on (1) Ways you can help returning Southern Baptist Missionaries and (2) Ways you can help ensure this never happens again. Stop by the Kentucky WMU display for practical suggestions of things you can do now.
Joy Bolton is executive director-treasurer of Kentucky Woman’s Missionary Union, P.O. Box 436569, Louisville, KY 40253; (502) 489-3534; kywmu.org
Joy Bolton