Link to Ted Edwards Home Page
At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Who is the greatest in
the kingdom of heaven?"
It is obvious from these verses and others that Jesus placed great emphasis
on children.
This is why I believe that Christian Education, and specifically the
training of children, is an important role to be filled within the church.
Jesus taught the obvious fact that the heart of a child is most receptive to
the gospel (Matt 18:3). This point is always easy to prove: just ask any
group of Christians how many became Christians before the age of 18. The
percentage is always significant. The reason is simple
children are the
most eager, teachable segment of the population. The seeds of God's Word
that are planted in the hearts of children almost always produce a bountiful
spiritual harvest.
We just finished our Vacation Bible School this past week. Im convinced
that this will perhaps be the highlight of the Summer for many of the
children who attended because of the extra special effort that many of you
put into it. Our average attendance (including adults)
was about 250 per day. The canned foods brought in by the kids,
for distribution to the poor, totaled 3,750 items.
These numbers are nice -- but the most impressive part of VBS (to me) has
been witnessing all of the many people who are involved. Space does not
allow me to list all the individuals who have given of their time, talents
and abilities to make VBS 99 a great success at West-Ark.
I am so blessed and extremely thankful to be a part of the West-Ark Family!!!
Dont ever forget what Jesus said in Matthew 10:42, "And if anyone gives
even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my
disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward."
He called a little child and had him stand among them.
And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little
children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever
humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me."
--- Matthew 18:1-5
Link to Ted Edwards Home Page