The sunshine blessed me as I made my way across the parking lot to the school entrance. It took a moment to find the call button located on the wall with a small sign explaining the security protocol for the school. A cheerful voice responded to my button press, “Hello, May I help you?”
“Hi I am here for an appointment with the superintendent of schools,” I responded.
Suddenly the door buzzed like a swarm of angry bees; I grabbed the door handle quickly and made my way into the brightly colored vestibule. I was met by the enthusiastic administrator who escorted me down the hall; I noticed her black T-shirt captioned in white letters were the words “JUST BE NICE DUDE”. I later learned that it is part of a new marketing initiative by a clothing manufacturer to make a social impact while turning a profit by passing as a nice charity.
What a contrast it is to the Released Time Bible Education Program I had come to represent to the district. The Released Time Bible Program is free to the students and free to the school. The profit we strive for is eternal in nature and the benefactors are those we serve. Through the training of the Released Time Bible Program, children learn scripture and have an opportunity to start and build a relationship with God through Jesus. We have many accounts of how students change as they memorize scripture. The fruits of the spirit are made manifest in their young lives as they are discipled by caring adult volunteers. Behavior problems disappear. Sadness is replaced by joy and troubled homes are impacted by the power of God to change lives for good.
Christ empowers children to be nice as the holy word of God takes root in their hearts, minds, and lives. They change as the hope of Jesus replaces the hopeless worldview. If you would like to be part of this community of believers that are making an eternal difference in the lives of the next generation, contact me. I would love to have a few moments of your time to explain how you can help.
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