Millbrook Christian Reformed Church in Grand Rapids, Mich., draws 75 kids to its weekly after-school ministry.
Using materials from Kids’ Life Bible Club, children watch puppets, make crafts, and sing songs.
Devin and Dumar Echols sing during Millbrook CRC’s after-school club.
Laura Mulder
The church also has given free Bibles to the children. “For many of them, this was their first Bible and they were excited about it,” said Bruce Dieleman, an elder for the church.
“At my Bible club, we had so much fun there,” said Azari Gordon, age 7. “We have games, and we did all kinds of stuff—and [they] gave us Bibles.”
The children attend a charter school next door to the church. About half of them have no church home.
“It’s been such a vital outreach for the church,” said Nel Osterwald, one of the coordinators for the ministry. “We get a lot of great comments from the parents and grandparents of the kids.”
Millbrook intends to continue the after-school program this coming fall.
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About the Author
Ryan Struyk was a former Banner news correspondent for classes Grand Rapids South and Thornapple Valley.
