Reaching Kids in Our Community

In 1994, I was called to minister to people living on Motel Drive in Fresno. It soon became apparent that the Holy Spirit was directing us more to minister to the teenagers and younger children. Kids Church was birthed late in 1994 in an abandoned restaurant on Park Way Drive behind Roeding Park. Joined by my wife Sharon, Mark Wade, and the men from Highways and Hedges we showed up and so did the children and the Holy Spirit. We started without a curriculum or training, but with a common goal. The goal was to introduce Jesus Christ to unbelievers. Little did we know the wild ride and education He had in store for all of us. For two years we met in that restaurant every Thursday night accompanied by 50-80 children from the motels. We were open to different ways to teach the children.

A year later we were sent to a street pastor’s conference in Phoenix, Arizona and were introduced to Bill Wilson’s Program being used in New York City. We came back home better equipped to do what God had called us to do and more on fire to do it. We still tried different avenues to present the gospel and finally realized that it was OK to alter programs to fit our situation as long as we did not change the message of Jesus Christ as being the only way to salvation and reconciliation with God.

Eight years ago we were called to an area in southeast Fresno. It was a complex of apartments (400+) that housed approximately 5,000 people and was the highest 911 call area in our city. We have seen the complex change cosmetically on the outside, but below the surface the worldly problems are still there.

The children continue to come, some just to see what is going on, others to learn about Jesus Christ, and some just to be loved on. Over the years we have seen pre-schoolers grow up, middle-schoolers become too old in their minds to attend, some to move away, and sadly to say some to die. Throughout all of this the Holy Spirit has opened doors that no one else could and sustained us through the trials. We thank God and Jesus Christ for allowing us to be a part of His children’s lives.

In His Service,

Sonny & Sharon

Now ministering to children in another area. What a blessing!!

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