I read in a church newsletter an article by Karin Jarman.  It grabbed my attention.  I adapted it some. I hope it will stir you also.  “Once upon a time there was a church staff looking for teachers for children…

And some adults said, “I don’t want to leave the sweet fellowship and study of my adult class.”  But the drug dealer on the street said, “Not even the threat of arrest and jail will keep me from working to win your children.”

And some adults said, “I could never give the time it takes to plan a Bible message and present it to the students.”  But the drug dealer, the pornographer, the media producer of graphic violence, rebellion and immorality said, “We will work whatever hours it takes to capture and own the minds of youth and adults.  We will sell our products no matter the influence on those who use them.”

And some adults said, “I am unsuited, untrained, and unable to work with youth and children.”  But the worldly corruptors of kids said, “We will survey, study, and work hard to prepare and market whatever will capture the lives and the spending habits of the youth.”

So the adults of the church stayed in their classes and enjoyed sweet fellowship and good Bible study.  They were free to go out of town on weekends and choose other activities for Wednesday and Sunday evenings rather than teach and seek to influence for Christ the lives of young people.

And when Sunday came the children came to their classes but the only one there was the church staffer who had to cover multiple groups.  The staff member to assure them that there would soon be teachers to work with them but it did not happen.  The children quit coming.

A few years past and the adults were too old and feeble to come to church.  The children’s lives were captured by the things of the world rather than the love of Christ.  The church building now sits empty with a large “For Sale” sign on the outside wall.

The crime rate is rising.  People don’t feel safe in their own homes.  It seems you just can’t trust anyone these days.  Why doesn’t somebody do something?  I remember when….

People of Emmanuel let us take action and refuse to be victimized by this terrible scenario.

Ron Stoner