Why Missionaries to America?

by Joseph Parker

I had no idea Steve Harvey was a believer in Jesus Christ…whether you doubt his sincerity or not, this is AMAZING, if not INSPIRING!

It brings tears to my eyes and goosebumps to my arms every time I watch it…this is the kind of introduction Jesus deserves!

THIS is what we need to communicate to “at-risk” families across America…

Jesus IS God and He loves them and deserves every bit of our praise and worship.

By Wanda Parker

$76 million dollars -wow! That money has been used to do a lot of good. Like the mosquito nets for Africa - they will produce lasting results because they give life. But what about where much of the other money went to purchase material things that won’t have lasting results?

The question always must be - what are the real needs of the people? How can this money be used to meet the real needs not just the felt needs.

I loved seeing the smiles of the kids at the Boys and Girls Club - but I couldn’t help but wonder if the balls and other things that were purchased were what the kids really needed? (I have a love for the Boys and Girls Clubs my husband was a Director for many years in several clubs.)

It is so easy to give material goods when what is really needed is human love - but that is more difficult and more expensive to give.

BUT IT IS ALSO MORE LASTING AND WILL MAKE THE GREATEST DIFFERENCE.

That is why KidTrek is determined to put missionaries into churches to mentor at-risk kids. We are finding it is much easier to get money to buy balls, computers, tutoring materials, games, toys than it is to raise money to pay salaries for loving adults to pour into the lives of kids.

Children need long-term relationships with adults who are productive, empathetic and wise. These are the characteristics we want to see replicated in children that they too become self-sufficient adults.

Below is a chart showing some of the real needs kids have if they are going to become the self-sufficient adults we all hope they will be.

Material goods won’t produce self-sufficient adults. It takes self-sufficient, loving, godly adults able to walk through life with them who can model living, who will challenge them, who know where to go to get the unique help each kid needs. It takes money to pay salaries so these adults can pour into the lives of at-risk kids who don’t have primary nurturers who can provide this kind of nurturing.

Would you like to help KidTrek to put missionaries in churches by financially supporting a missionary - click here.

If you think that Jesus Christ might be calling you to be a missionary - click here.

If you would like to host a get-together in your home so others can hear the vision of KidTrek - click here.

By Wanda Parker

I can only answer this question as it relates to KidTrek.

KidTrek equips Christian ministries to train adults to mentor at-risk kids toward a Christ-centered, hope-filled future.

The missionaries are on site of a church.  They train the adults in the churches through modeling.  (If you are interested in the detail of what a Secondary Nurturer is trained to do you can find a description here http://kidtrek.org/white/ )

Each missionary builds a relationship with five at-risk families.  The missionary works with each family to assist them in growing mentally, physically, emotionally, spiritually and socially so they can move from the at-risk category.  It is a slow, tedious process based on friendship not authority. 

The missionary runs an after school program, KidTrek Center, where one child from each family attends three days a week.  At the center the children receive Bible teaching, life skills training, recreation, healthy snacks, crafts, and homework assistance.  It is through working with the children that the parents begin to trust the missionaries.

The missionary trains the Primary Nurturers of the kids how to maneuver through the bureaucracy - whether that be schools, medical fields, court systems.  The training is not done in a classroom but by the missionary walking with them through the process. 

The missionary dreams with the Primary Nurturer of who his/her child might become.  Then assist in laying out a plan for the child to get the education needed, the social skills, etc. to become all s/he can become.

The missionary builds a core of volunteers willing to provide assistance, in their area of expertise, to the families.  One family may need medical care and have no insurance, another may need legal assistance, another may have a leaking roof and no money to get it fixed.  The missionary is the conduit to empower the community to help those in need. 

As the missionary works with the families others will be watching and we believe will get involved at the level they are able.  The missionaries will provide training classes once there is an interest amongst other adults in the church.

If you think Jesus Christ might be calling you to serve Him as a Missionary to America through KidTrek go to http://kidtrek.org/jointhewalk/Missionary.html

By Wanda Parker

Jesus, God become man, came to earth to draw humans to Him who would stand against the dominant culture of the day.

To me that means men and women who are willing to first of all submit to Jesus Christ and give Him control of their lives.  When one does that we are told in the book of James in the Bible that if the individual has truly submitted to Christ s/he will be moved to works.  Those works are done because of the tremendous awareness of what Christ has done for the individual and thus the individual out of love performs God’s works.  These works leads one to become counter culture.

Followers of Jesus Christ are the ones who should be leading the way to look beyond felt needs to what are the real needs of others.  Because my passion is the Invisible Children of America let’s take a look at what that would look like if we did that.

Felt needs vs Real Needs

• Funds for material goods vs. funds for adults to build intentional, long term relationships
• Covering pain today vs. looking ahead 30 years at what the kid needs to become a productive adult 
• Fixing physical needs vs. devloping the whole child (emotional, physical, spiritual, mental, and social)

Those are just a few of the felt vs. real needs.  Meeting the real needs of the Invisible Children of America takes time, a lot more money, energy, and tenaciousness. 

It means being counter cultural because our culture today just wants to throw easy fixes at the kids - those easy fixes don’t work for the long term. 

by Joseph Parker

Any of us who are angry at President Bush for his policies on this war in Iraq should be just as angry at Oprah Winfrey…

…What? You dare to compare Oprah with President Bush’s war in Iraq?

How many of us, regardless of our views on this war, have used the argument we are waisting billions of dollars on a war we should not be fighting when that money could be going toward educating our children here in America?

I am not saying one way or another whether that is a just claim or not…I can understand that and even agree with it to a point…and I am not saying girls in South Africa should not be helped…but I am asking,

How is Oprah any different from Bush?

Let me explain with Oprah’s own words,

Oprah Winfrey is firing back at critics of her decision to build a $40 million school complex in South Africa - saying she didn’t build it in the U.S. because inner-city kids here don’t appreciate the value of a free education.

“I became so frustrated with visiting inner-city schools that I just stopped going. The sense that you need to learn just isn’t there,” the TV talk-show maven says in the current issue of Newsweek.

“If you ask the kids what they want or need, they will say an iPod or some sneakers. In South Africa, they don’t ask for money or toys. They ask for uniforms so they can go to school.”

And I know for a fact that Oprah is correct in her statements…but SO WHAT!

Should we then begin the argument that we should send our tax dollars to the war in Irag because the Iraqees want it more than we do? They appreciate it more (which I know this has been part of the debate, but it appears there is evidence they do want our help…depending on which news channel you watch)?

…aah, I digress…back to the subject on hand…

Oprah just gave $40 million dollars for a South African project that could have done wonders for kids here…

SO WHAT if our kids are unappreciative…that is the fault of our social-welfare system giving them everything they ask for…WE have taught them this lie you can get anything and everything you can ask for.

BUT, if we equip the adults in their lives properly, we can change this…

WOW…imagine what $40 million dollars could do for so many kids HERE…in America!

And I agree…it is HER money and therefore HER right to choose how she gives it away…but come on…there is a point where hypocrisy can only go so far…

Again, I am not making a judgment one way or another that what Bush is doing is right or wrong, but I think this is a very interesting comparison of how we as a nation can be so angry about Bush, and then look the other way when Oprah does a similar thing.

Similar? You dare to compare the two?

Yes, I do…when Oprah’s money could go toward programs here in America that could educate children, not just in academics, but about the importance of integrity, character, critical thinking, making good choices in life…understanding an IPod will not give them what they truly desire…love, acceptance, contentment, peace, etc.

Rather, OUR kids are joining gangs, taking drugs, dropping out of school, getting pregnant at age 13, 14, 15…then yes, I think that money going overseas is just as damaging as what Bush has been doing…

…I think many more kids have died here in America (not just physically, but emotionally, socially, mentally, spiritually) these past five years than the near 4,000 soldiers we have lost in that time.

If Oprah truly cares about America and our people…where is the $40 million dollars to an effort/cause she truly believes in that can make just as much an impact on kids lives here…

…because trust me, those South African kids are no different than our kids here…they will start to get, and get, and get and they will eventually fall into the same selfish traps our kids have fallen into if they do not have the adult presence I talked about above.

So…have I riled you up enough? Tell me what you think.

By Wanda Parker

This Easter week we think often of God becoming man and living amongst us.  His willingness to live amongst us and take onto Himself all the pain we should suffer means LIFE for us.

I just received an e-mail asking for prayer for a couple who live in an inner city area and are committed to serving the kids and their families in that community.  Last night a fight broke out just outside their apartment.  They could have stayed huddled in their apartment but they chose to go out and stand between the angry kids. 

THEY KNOW THESE KIDS - THEY LOVE THESE KIDS - THEY ARE COMMITTED TO THESE KIDS - THEY AREN’T LEAVING

The anger was so great that finally the cops were called and all the kids scattered.  No one was hurt last night.

This couple is Jesus with Skin On in this community.  What would have happened if they hadn’t been there? 

All the money in the universe poured into that community isn’t going to make a difference in who those kids grow up to be.  What they need are adults who live amongst them to model for them that life can be lived without settling every disagreement with a mini-war. 

This is what is needed across America to work with the Invisible Children of America.  This is why KidTrek is looking for men and women with a desire to be Jesus With Skin On to live and serve in depressed communities.  These “missionaries” will pour their lives into at-risk families - bringing the one true hope - the hope of Jesus.

If you want to know more read through our other postings here on the Blog or go to our website www.kidtrek.org    

By Wanda Parker

“What’s a Jesus?” As we enter Holy Week I remember this question asked by a child in inner-city Philadelphia.  He had only heard the word Jesus in cussing.  He was wondering what it meant.

Isn’t it sad that a child in America doesn’t even know who Jesus is?

Note he didn’t even ask “who” but “what” is a Jesus. 

I thought of this child yesterday when our pastor said, “Because Jesus died for us we will never have to experience what He experienced.” Wow! This child doesn’t have to experience hell, I never have to experience hell, no human has to ever experience hell if I/they submit their lives to Jesus.

But there are so many children growing up in America today who have no understanding of “What/Who Jesus is.”

Do you know Jesus?  If you do, as you go through this “Holy Week” I am sure you are going to think of what Christ has done for you.  Will you also think of all the children across America who have never had the opportunity you have had to hear about Jesus?  What will you do this coming year to make sure more children in America know who the real Jesus is?

Take time this week to read Matthew 18:1-14 and Mark 10:13-16 - ask Jesus what you might do to bring the little ones to Him.

By Wanda Parker

I was just reading of an amazing man who is working with kids in an inner city neighborhood.  He told of a single father  whose teenage son knows how to push his anger buttons.  The father is dealing with anger issues because he has been with without work for months.  The mentor, I’ll call John, has been going over and spending time with the dad to help him walk through this time; but he doesn’t have a lot of time to do so because John’s bosses (he works for a Christian ministry that works with at-risk kids) don’t catch what at-risk families really need.

As I read I got frustrated because it seems so simple to me. 

At-risk kids, America’s Invisible Children, and their families need adults who can walk with them through the difficult times of their lives. 

• Adults who aren’t tied up with doing a lot of needless stuff. 
• Adults who have the education and sophistication to know how to maneuver through bureaucracies. 
• Adults who have the energy, because they have their own support system, to hang in and not give up.
• Adults who have the freedom to put the needs of kids and their families over an organizaiton’s wants.
• Adults who understand though it may hurt they must do what is best for the family not what will feel good.
• Adults who understand and have dealt with the truth that all too often when we go to “help” those in need we are really doing it to satisfy ourselves rather than meeting the REAL needs of those we are “helping.”  It makes the “helper” feel good but it doesn’t really help the one in need.
• Adults who are fully committed to Jesus Christ and put Him first in their lives so they have the freedom to go against their own feelings and desires to do what is best, not just what is good.

This is what America’s Invisible Children need. 

This is why KidTrek is attempting to place missionaries in churches across America.  http://kidtrek.org/jointhewalk/Missionary.html

By Wanda Parker

I laid in bed last night and thought of the 18 year old who had gunned down and killed the 16 year old in Los Angeles last week.  Such a senseless killing.

I grieved because I thought if we had had missionaries in a church near that 18 year old’s home 13 years ago perhaps this senseless killing wouldn’t have happened. 

Who’s fault is it that this 18 year old didn’t receive the necessary nurturing so he would become a productive adult?

Deuteronomy 6 calls on all - not just the parents.  As a Christian I believe it is the responsibility of the church to care for all children within their reach.  That means the children in their community - not just those who attend their services.  As we have pointed out over and over in the postings on this blog, kids need long term, intentional relationships with adults.  The church is involved in a lot of activity - but is that activity intentional and long term so it will bring sustainable results?

More and more kids are being killed on our streets - it is urgent for Christians to heed Matthew 18 - woe to him who is a stumbling block to one of these little ones (my paraphrase).  You say, “But I’m not causing him to stumble - I don’t even know him.”  But if you could have played some part in getting adults into this kid’s life and you refused or neglected to do so then you have been a stumbling block as much as if you stuck your foot out and tripped him.

How can you get involved and make a difference? 

• You can become a missionary - is Jesus Christ calling you? (If He is check out the steps to become a KidTrek Missionary http://www.kidtrek.org/jointhewalk/Missionary.html )
• You can give to a ministry that is providing long term, intentional nurturing.  (If KidTrek is your choice you can give on line at https://app.etapestry.com/hosted/KidTrek/OnlineGiving.html )
• You can tell others, spread the word.  Host a meeting in your home to get others thinking about what they can do.
• You can pray.  Ask the Lord to raise up missionaries and to provide the funds for them to do His service with/for at-risk kids and their families.  You can pray for those on the front lines for protection, energy, wisdom.

What will you do? 

By Wanda Parker

What does it take to make a lasting difference in a kid’s life?

Research continues to show over and over that it takes much more than just a tutoring program, or a drop-in center. 

It takes long-term, intentional relationships not just with the kids but with the families too.

It is impossible for one mentor to be intentional with 30 kids. 

Intentional means:

• knowing each kid in an in-depth way
• dreaming of who Jamal can be when he is 40
• then thinking what it will take to get him to that place
• then finding the resources to make it happen
• working with his primary nurturers so they catch the vision too
• not giving up when the going gets tough
• being available to Jamal at all times of day and night - just like you are his primary nurturer - but always remembering you aren’t

It is my dream that one day there will be thousands of men and women across our country dedicated to this level of ministry with at-risk kids and their families. 

If you know of a Christian man or woman with a heart to minister to at-risk families suggest they read through the blog and/or go to our website www.kidtrek.org   If it looks like something God is calling them to then encourage them to contact us.