This discussion needs to be had. We have the resources to reach the needs locally and abroad. It’s a matter of getting more people aware and involved and using our resources more responsibly.
Operation Christmas Child through Samaritan’s Purse International Relief: “The mission of Operation Christmas Child is to demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way to children in need around the world. Through this project, Samaritan’s Purse partners with the local church worldwide to share the Good News of Jesus Christ and make disciples of the nations.”
I recently participated in my local church’s packing party, headed by Patti Streeter, where we pledged and successfully packed 120 boxes destined for children around the world supplying them with toys, hygiene products, and school supplies.
This small event will have a monumental effect on those children who will be recipients of these gifts as well and the Boy Scout Troop that volunteered their time assisting the church in the packing of these boxes. They may not realize it the importance of projects like this, but it needs to be expressed.
Years ago I subscribed to The Freedom From Religion newsletter for their first month free offer, leaning towards the Libertarian Party in support of separation of church and state. (I now push for the protection of the church from the state.) I received a few months worth of newsletters, surprised they hadn’t canceled my trial period. There were articles and information provided, but also a section for subscribers to send submissions of their opinions and experiences with religion; many sharing how they took corrective action to stop religious groups from involving themselves with state or federal operations such as public schools or government buildings.
One of the reasons I was prompted to cancel these subscriptions (aside from the guilt of not paying) was from one of these submissions. Operation Christmas Child (OCC) was taking place at a local public school and due to the affiliation with Samaritan's Purse, a Christian organization, one parent was adamant to contact the school district and whoever else to make sure it was shut down. Their child was asked to send in donations for the shoe boxes that would be sent to other countries. This parent was proud to announce that the following year, OCC would be canceled at their child’s school.
I can respect and appreciate the parent’s position and would feel uncomfortable if my child was asked to send in items that supported a religious affiliation I did not agree with. This project was optional, not mandatory. What prompted the call to cancel my subscription wasn’t simply because I felt that parent was being petty. It was from the knowledge and understanding of the high number of teenage suicide rates plaguing our country, and the sense of hopelessness many of our youth have been feeling. OCC was an opportunity for a child here to offer support and charity to see how their efforts can help make a positive impact for another. Allow a young person to see something past their life, a new perspective, and teach them about making a small sacrifice or how to volunteer their time.
During my call I debated a few moments if they could explain why there was such a feeling of hopelessness exhibited in our youth. The atheists would argue it is religion in itself that has created many of the problems the world is facing. That is a contributing factor in some circumstances, the clash of faith groups, but it is not the main source of our nation’s current suicide epidemic. The United States offers its citizens religious freedoms.
Many neglect to consider the huge positive impact other groups have made to communities. Many hospitals, Salvation Army, The Red Cross just to list a few have origins and affiliations with the Christian faith. Christian based groups are also the ones who bring support to the homeless, crisis pregnancy centers, adoption agencies, orphanages, and shelters such as Kings Gospel Mission.
More locally, I found myself in another debate with a community organizer. She is not a fan of OCC because we were sending aid and support to other countries when there are starving children within our own communities. She herself had the foster care experience in many homes raging from many counties with some having no food available. Though I do agree with the problems she mentioned, I shared that we can do both. There are those who lament when people adopt children from other countries skipping the one within our US borders. This discussion needs to be had. We have the resources to reach the needs locally and abroad. It’s a matter of getting more people aware and involved and using our resources more responsibly.
Brining The Awareness
Prior to the launch of my church’s Packing Party, our new pastor shared a part of his testimony. He was raised in a village in Kenya, Africa. He did not receive his first pair of shoes until he entered the eighth grade. He confirmed that many of the children receiving these gifts genuinely needed and appreciated the items we were sending. He shared having to rent a pencil during class In the land of plenty-material and food, with religious freedom, opportunity and non-religious government programs, the amount of suicides in our youth is alarming with numbers climbing. There are still problems and man made corruption, but most children can obtain one pair of shoes and can find a pencil.
The Boy Scouts of America has been under criticism in recent years. The original intent and integrity is still present and alive in many of the troops across the nation. Sense of purpose, duty and morals are instilled and cultivated. These young men are our future foundations for what society will need. One of the needs our communities must address is being met through the efforts of the Boy Scouts:
We can do it all. If you’re an atheist, fine. No one's offended. You have options for you and your family. Do not hinder our youth from finding ways to serve the needs of others. You’re creating the division you claim to hate by cutting the support. Part of the message Jesus preached was love for your fellow man.
I recently participated in my local church’s packing party, headed by Patti Streeter, where we pledged and successfully packed 120 boxes destined for children around the world supplying them with toys, hygiene products, and school supplies.
This small event will have a monumental effect on those children who will be recipients of these gifts as well and the Boy Scout Troop that volunteered their time assisting the church in the packing of these boxes. They may not realize it the importance of projects like this, but it needs to be expressed.
Years ago I subscribed to The Freedom From Religion newsletter for their first month free offer, leaning towards the Libertarian Party in support of separation of church and state. (I now push for the protection of the church from the state.) I received a few months worth of newsletters, surprised they hadn’t canceled my trial period. There were articles and information provided, but also a section for subscribers to send submissions of their opinions and experiences with religion; many sharing how they took corrective action to stop religious groups from involving themselves with state or federal operations such as public schools or government buildings.
One of the reasons I was prompted to cancel these subscriptions (aside from the guilt of not paying) was from one of these submissions. Operation Christmas Child (OCC) was taking place at a local public school and due to the affiliation with Samaritan's Purse, a Christian organization, one parent was adamant to contact the school district and whoever else to make sure it was shut down. Their child was asked to send in donations for the shoe boxes that would be sent to other countries. This parent was proud to announce that the following year, OCC would be canceled at their child’s school.
I can respect and appreciate the parent’s position and would feel uncomfortable if my child was asked to send in items that supported a religious affiliation I did not agree with. This project was optional, not mandatory. What prompted the call to cancel my subscription wasn’t simply because I felt that parent was being petty. It was from the knowledge and understanding of the high number of teenage suicide rates plaguing our country, and the sense of hopelessness many of our youth have been feeling. OCC was an opportunity for a child here to offer support and charity to see how their efforts can help make a positive impact for another. Allow a young person to see something past their life, a new perspective, and teach them about making a small sacrifice or how to volunteer their time.
During my call I debated a few moments if they could explain why there was such a feeling of hopelessness exhibited in our youth. The atheists would argue it is religion in itself that has created many of the problems the world is facing. That is a contributing factor in some circumstances, the clash of faith groups, but it is not the main source of our nation’s current suicide epidemic. The United States offers its citizens religious freedoms.
Many of our youth are experiencing a lack of purpose, over-saturated in material things, addicted to social media and immediate gratification, being told there is no reason for their existence, to list just a couple of concerns.
Many neglect to consider the huge positive impact other groups have made to communities. Many hospitals, Salvation Army, The Red Cross just to list a few have origins and affiliations with the Christian faith. Christian based groups are also the ones who bring support to the homeless, crisis pregnancy centers, adoption agencies, orphanages, and shelters such as Kings Gospel Mission.
More locally, I found myself in another debate with a community organizer. She is not a fan of OCC because we were sending aid and support to other countries when there are starving children within our own communities. She herself had the foster care experience in many homes raging from many counties with some having no food available. Though I do agree with the problems she mentioned, I shared that we can do both. There are those who lament when people adopt children from other countries skipping the one within our US borders. This discussion needs to be had. We have the resources to reach the needs locally and abroad. It’s a matter of getting more people aware and involved and using our resources more responsibly.
Brining The Awareness
Prior to the launch of my church’s Packing Party, our new pastor shared a part of his testimony. He was raised in a village in Kenya, Africa. He did not receive his first pair of shoes until he entered the eighth grade. He confirmed that many of the children receiving these gifts genuinely needed and appreciated the items we were sending. He shared having to rent a pencil during class In the land of plenty-material and food, with religious freedom, opportunity and non-religious government programs, the amount of suicides in our youth is alarming with numbers climbing. There are still problems and man made corruption, but most children can obtain one pair of shoes and can find a pencil.
The Boy Scouts of America has been under criticism in recent years. The original intent and integrity is still present and alive in many of the troops across the nation. Sense of purpose, duty and morals are instilled and cultivated. These young men are our future foundations for what society will need. One of the needs our communities must address is being met through the efforts of the Boy Scouts:
Investing in our future men and leaders of our families and communities.How can we expect our youth to care to volunteer or support their local community if they're never given the opportunity to serve or see how their efforts can make a change in the lives of others.
We can do it all. If you’re an atheist, fine. No one's offended. You have options for you and your family. Do not hinder our youth from finding ways to serve the needs of others. You’re creating the division you claim to hate by cutting the support. Part of the message Jesus preached was love for your fellow man.
Love and charity is what is promoted, which children worldwide are lacking in. The church, Boy Scouts, community effort. We need more of that.
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