Gowns for His Glory started with a dream seven years ago to provide prom dresses and accessories to area high school girls free of charge. Prom is one of the most expensive nights in high school and no matter…
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Children
As a children’s pastor, I’ve been blessed to have seen so many children come to Christ. There are few things more beautiful than seeing Jesus in a child’s eyes. But the bulk of my ministry happens outside the church…
The teenage years are crucial for a child, so when our older daughter was joining the church’s youth group, we decided to become youth leaders. We planned to continue until our younger daughter graduated from high school. We just…
I received an alarming call in early 2010. “Momma, please take care of my girls. I can’t do this anymore!” My daughter was in a relationship that led her down a very destructive path. In short, she ended up losing…
It is said that history often repeats itself. Twenty years ago, my daughter spent Christmas break ministering in an Indian orphanage. She met four orphans who would drastically impact her life. Some fifteen years later, she was able to reconnect…
My love for the Lord led me to be a youth pastor. Last year, I left my doctor’s office with the news that I had cancer. During treatment, I woke up each morning and wondered if the hours of…
I’ve always been drawn to kids who were hurting. Maybe it’s because I didn’t have anyone to talk to when I was struggling at 12 years old. And, back when I was growing up, you did not go to…
When something you are passionate about comes to you naturally, that’s how you know God’s hand is in it. I have been involved in scouting in some way my entire life. My mom was a troop leader and I…
“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” This verse in Proverbs made more sense after I had my second child. I used to bring neighborhood…
Since I was a high school senior, I had a dream of starting a youth center for teenagers. Even when people dismissed it, I knew that God had placed that dream on my heart. After I returned from Bible College…
It’s so important that we pass on everything we have learned to our children. And that’s because they are the future leaders. But can you imagine a bunch of leaders who do not have an education? I teach a Sunday…
My husband and I had finally finished the paperwork to adopt an American child. We discussed what we should do before becoming new parents. I had previously gone on several mission trips, and we decided to experience this together.…
When God placed individuals with special needs on my heart back in high school, I had no way of knowing He was already preparing me for life with my daughter, Morgan. She has physical and cognitive special needs. Loving…
As a father of three, my life is pretty busy. My evenings are filled with volleyball games, track meets, and dance recitals as I work to be the best dad I can be. Wednesdays nights, though, are my sacred…
When she was six years old, my daughter, Erin, was diagnosed with a rare kidney disease: FSGS. Her disease causes her immune system to attack her kidneys, and slowly, they fail. She is nine now, and we remain hopeful…
I started teaching the three-year-old Sunday School class when I was only 16. For the last fifty years I have seen countless children come into my classroom. Some were scared and cried for their parents for weeks. Others marched in ready…
My wife and I had a plan early in our marriage. We would have a biological child and then we’d adopt one. And as so often happens, God had a different plan for us. My wife went through several…
Sometimes God gives you stepping stones to build up courage to do something scary. For me, that began when God opened my eyes to the suffering in the world. But, I did not even know where to begin. Plus,…
I’m a teacher in a public elementary school. As a follower of Christ, I have always felt working in a public school is my mission field. I feel the Lord has called me to do what I can to…
How can we possibly reach more young people with the Good News of Jesus? We have to find a way! God’s heartbeat is “souls”. He wants His followers to do everything possible to bring others to Him. He doesn’t…
Mothers remember anniversaries of the important events in our children’s lives. While I have experienced many good and bad moments with my sons, Matthew and Jacob, two days will forever be etched in my memory. On August 10, 2014, I…
My search for the truth began in earnest when I became a father. My son’s birth made me wonder more than ever: Why are we here? What is the meaning of this life? I’m from Russia and I was…
You could say our house is a little busy. We adopted five children from China, all with special needs, after having four biological children. Scripture says to take care of the widows and the orphans, and this is a…
I’ve known about the Mentor Upstate program for years, but I became passionate about it once I lived it. Mentor Upstate started in Greenville by a faith-driven couple who saw the need for healthy adult influence in the lives…
In the same year that I accepted Christ as Lord over my life and returned to church, I started having dreams. I was dreaming of children that had no shoes and little clothing, children who looked at me with…
When we became foster parents 16 years ago, we had little to no support. But, we knew God had called us to foster. We live in Spartanburg County, which currently has more kids in foster care than any other…
I was still reeling from the loss of my baby when Hurricane Katrina stormed New Orleans. As I watched the coverage, my mind immediately went to the mothers. How were these mothers going to take care of their babies…
I am a Transitional Kindergarten teacher and I love working with my students each year! I have been teaching for about twenty years now, and sometimes the work I do is really challenging. Some of my students have learning…
When my husband was deployed a few months ago, our son was very sad. He had never been away from his dad and he really missed him. Of all things, they had a special bond of doing yard work…
I’ve had some traumatic experiences in my life. But I know God allowed me to go through these to help me grow and use them for His Glory. As an educator, I now use these trials to encourage my…