This is the Truth Network. This is the Truth Network. Imagine a world where you could teach the Bible, have a Bible club. With public school kids in the public schools. Did you know this is legal?
And Crossroads Kids Clubs are doing it. And I wanted to introduce you guys to Jasmine.
Now, You I've talked to Matt, the president of the ministry, before, and I believe we've had Jasmine on some of our other different programs. But, Jasmine, folks, the first. The first hurdle they can't get over is the fact that this in a public school in America. Where we have all kinds of problems and crime and gangs and drugs and so on and so forth and issues. You're telling me that it's legal to teach the Bible?
Tell us more about that. Yeah. have have uh churches we partner with churches and have an after-school club once a week in public elementary schools um right after school in the school and it's amazing we get we can pray with the kids open up bibles all in the public elementary schools So you do it. Tell us legally, what is the law on this? You know, someone starts crying, well, separation of church and state.
Well, you're indoctrinating our kids. What do you say to them? I mean, you have the law on your side, don't you? Yeah, correct.
So once that dismissal bell rings, technically the school is actually community use. It's public community use.
So we still go through the approval process with the district. And you can have religious organizations can host clubs or other after-school programs right after school in the school buildings. Jasmine, tell everyone what God's doing through Crossroads. You all have been doing this for some time now. And just the testimony is we were together at the banquet the other night and it was a wonderful banquet, except the keynote speaker was a little bit different.
I mean, I don't know if that was the best choice of speaker, Jasmine. I got to stop you on that right there. No, Stu, you did an amazing job. Yeah. So yeah, so we actually Crosswords Kids Club started in Chicago back in 1998.
They've been doing it there. Still to this day, their first club, the school that they had their first club in, is still going strong today. About two years ago, they expanded, you know, they've been throughout the years, they've expanded nationally and internationally. We're in 13 states in eight countries, but two years ago, we started in Piedmont Triad. And we started off with one club, kind of like a pilot in one of our schools, and it was going well, and they wanted us back next year.
And then we grew to two last year, and this school year, we're up to four clubs in four different schools. That's reaching kids that may not get to church. That's reaching kids that may never have heard about God before. Practically, do you have a testimony or two, Jasmine, to tell us about what God's done in the heart of these young people? Have you got a good story for us?
Actually, so I serve at one of the clubs at one of the schools we're at here in Forsyth County. And it is amazing to talk to these students who are, it's in a Title I school. It's not a privileged area. And these children come to school hungry. They've never been to church, didn't know who Jesus is and everything.
And I actually, when we were talking about the fall of Adam and Eve, one of our second graders told us that she thought that Satan was God's brother.
So we really had to have a deep conversation. You know, we had to break down the foundation of Christianity. Um Yeah It's pretty powerful.
So, a lot of kids have misunderstandings about the Bible, misconceptions. You know, you're helping them navigate, and ultimately, it's to bring them to. The author of scripture and the savior Jesus Christ, right? To point them to the truth. Absolutely.
We want them to know what Christian truly is and teach them who God is and how God can help them in their lives. Jasmine, talk a little bit about your journey. You, you know, you really opened up. The challenge is, and we're going to play my message here in just a second on Truth Talk, but the challenge that I faced, my wife reminded me very gently, and it wasn't very helpful. You know, you're a speaker, you're ready to get up there and speak.
And I got to bring a little good energy and I got to help raise some money for this awesome ministry. But I had to follow you, and you got up and you really opened your heart up. Can you share a little bit just with our listeners about your testimony and how it. How this crossroads kids' clubs bringing the Bible to public school kids, how that has kind of been interwoven with your own life and testimony and how you came to know the Lord and being in law enforcement, all that stuff.
So, um, I have a very long testimony that has led to my passion in this ministry. But in short, my parents were divorced when I was three, and until I was 11, I lived with my biological mother and her family in a Muslim household. I was also very abused in that household and I was young at that age. Um And then when I was 11, my dad and stepmom finally obtained custody of me. And they took me to church and I went to a Christian private school.
It was definitely a change in every way. But One of the other outcomes, like, it definitely planted those seeds in my heart where I sort of learned who Jesus is and everything. Shortly later at Camp Merriwood, I actually became a believer. Um when I was 14.
So um After that, but because of what I went through when I was a child, it made me want to be a protector, especially for kids that can't protect themselves. 13 months ago I was a police officer here and was in Salem. And I that's exactly what I was doing. was on the east side. Uh, Winston-Salem patrolling that area.
Um, I got to mentor a bunch of different kids in different situations, and it really saw that. The common thing is that these kids need to know who Jesus is. And I learned about this ministry. And I Left my law enforcement career and am now the Piedmont Triad Regional Coordinator, helping spread word. Wow, that is so encouraging.
And this bank was packed with people, all kinds of folks dressed up real nice. You all put on a great show, a great food was delicious. And And a lot of these ministries do these banquets. The goal is raising money. For the ministry, but you got to tell people.
Got to get to their hearts, obviously, before you can get to their purses and their wallets. Jasmine. Tell everyone what when people support crossroads kids' clubs, it's just an amazing ministry, it's a direct frontlines ministry because God's word changes lives, God's word. Exposes us to God's Son and to salvation and to truth, and it really can bring healing like it did in your life. Jasmine.
What was kind of the goal? I know y'all were trying to raise, you know, $62,000 or so $1,000. Tell us where this money goes and when folks generously want to give, maybe our listeners want to help y'all out. I certainly, you know, I helped you. I sent a gift in myself that night, but tell us what this does and why it's so important.
Yeah, so 40, yeah, so our top goal was $62,000. $42,000 would fully fund our current ministry growth in the Piedmont Triad area. And $20,000 would go to launching a whole new region in Charlotte. We have a regional coordinator that's in training right now. And next month, she'll be.
Full rod regional coordinator with our team. And so we are And locally here in Piedmont Triad, we are trying to grow from the four clubs we have now. We want to have eight clubs here. And that's our goal for next school year. But then also, we're launching the Charlotte area, and our new regional creator there will train leaders, partner with connecting with churches.
And we're going to teach kids and connect with the school system there. And then we're going to reach these children that have never gone to church, never heard the gospel, and teach them about Jesus for the first time in their lives. Just wonderful. And if you want to start a Crossroads Kids Club, you want to get a part of this ministry, go through the simple training, you can connect with Jasmine, Matt, the whole team. Jasmine, what's the best way for folks?
that want to to join the club, that want to support financially, want to learn more, reach out to you. What's the how do they get a hold of you? Yeah, so they can they can call or text me at 336. 743. One eight zero zero We also, I can get them, I can share a link with y'all with our website.
Our website is CrossroadsKidsClub.com.
Okay, crossroadskidsclub.com. Yes.
Okay. Wonderful. That's tremendous. And you can donate there. I just scanned a little QR code on that card you passed out, and I was able to go right to the site and give a one-time donation.
And you can do recurring donations, but your church can get involved. We need more churches doing this, don't we, Jasmine? Yes, absolutely. The church is key. The church is God's plan A.
And your church gets involved in this, and next thing you know, these folks might be coming to your church and getting discipled and built up and sent back out.
So, this is a great opportunity. Look, you can curse the darkness. You can be upset about all the corruption in the public schools. Go on and on about that. But you know what you can also do?
You can shine a light. You can lift up Jesus. You can start a Bible club in the public school. It's legal, it's happening. Jasmine, thank you so much for hanging out with us a little bit today at K On Truth Talk.
What a blessing. Thank you for having me, Stu. It's always a pleasure.
Well, and we're going to run this back because now, after this segment, after this break, we are going to play My Message. From the banquet.
So I have to follow you again. I don't know how I'm going to do it, but we're going to play that when we come back. Y'all, don't touch this dial because I'm going to talk about. The four IGs of the power of God's word to transform your life. You don't want to miss this right from 1 Thessalonians 2, verse 13.
Crossroads Kids Club. Dot com. I thank God for my lovely wife and the gentle reminder that we got to raise $62,000 and I got to follow those kids and Mr. Cook. And Matt and Jasmine.
What in the world? How do you do that? Fish! Oh my, you're looking at your desserts, you're thinking, okay, gotta get this done. I am just honored to be here and I tell you.
I'm going to take in a few minutes. I'm going to talk to you about. A public school teenager? I'm going to talk to you about a new March Madness superstar. I'm going to talk to you about a death row in me.
and what they all have in common.
So that's what we're going to talk about. We're going to do it quick. I'm a real fast talker.
So hopefully you guys are fast listeners and maybe we'll finish at the same time. What do you think? Let's do it. All right, quick shout out to our Christian Radio family. My lovely wife, of course, Julie, and my sister and brother-in-law are here, and so many friends and family.
Dr. Carson date the word, the Parsons, and some of my colleagues here. And we have a little bit of heaven on 97.7. And who who knows who knows about the boss lady? Because he's alive.
Here we go. He's alive on 103.5.
Alright? And where's Cousin Phil? Wave your hand. This is a man of God who's the pioneer in this area for Christian radio. Music from the heart, 89.3.
WBFJ, where are you, brother? Awesome. Love you, man. Love the ministry. WBFJ.
Let's pray, Lord, just guide our conversation. Thank you for the power of your word. Thank you for The fact that we can sit here in this free land and talk about The Bible being taught in public schools. What a privilege. What an answer to prayer.
This is an answer to prayer. I pray, Lord, as we look at your word and the power of it, you will bless, guide, lead, and take away. Anything. That doesn't match your heart. And speak today, right now, through me, by the power of your Spirit, I pray.
In Jesus' name. Amen.
Some of those powerful words about the Word of God are found in 1 Thessalonians. Chapter 2, verse 13. And it's a verse I'm going to read to you, and then I'm going to have you read it back to me.
So just stay with me here, okay? Follow closely. Class 4. This reason. We also thank God without ceasing.
Because when you received the word of God, which you heard from us You welcomed it. Not as the word of men. But as it is in truth, The Word of God. which also effectively works In you Who will leave? This is God's word.
Grass withers, the flower fades. The word of our Lord. endures forever. Mm-hmm. First thing God's word does, I'm going to give you four IGs.
Okay. Of course, all the young people are on the IG, the Instagram, so why not just lean into it, okay? At some point, these will be on there. Four IGs. The first IG is the Word of God.
inspires gratitude. Say these words with me. I'll say it. You say it after me. Ready?
For this reason we also thank God without ceasing.
So, why was Paul so thankful? He says it in verse 3 and 4 of chapter 1. He says it earlier in chapter 2. He says, I always thank God for you all without ceasing in my prayers. Why is he thankful?
Because Paul was only in Thessaloniki, a town given over to idolatry, a Greek town with a whole pantheon of gods. 50 miles away from Mount Olympus, they could see the mount where they worshiped Zeus in Apollo, and they did all kinds of horrible things and sexual things to worship all these gods. And they didn't have a clue who Jesus the Messiah was. Paul goes there and for only three weeks he's there. Then he's driven out of town.
And he thinks this church has gone rogue. Surely the false prophets have come in. Surely they've gone by the wayside. He sends Timothy, he can't even get there. He sends Timothy.
Timothy comes back with this glowing report. Of these people who are on fire for the Word of God. Because God's Word It's so powerful. And so Paul says here, I thank God the word of God inspires gratitude. And Paul was so thankful for them.
And I'm so thankful for these heroes here that are getting the word of God into the public school. And it's perfectly legal. In other countries, They will arrest you for doing that. The word of God is illegal in 35 countries. Did you know that?
That's a fact. They will kill you. in the lower probably third of those countries. In about a third of those countries, it's a serious financial fine. They'll take away your visa and they'll put you on hold and get you out of there.
And the other third, it's a slap on the hand. They might revoke your passport. But it is serious when Why is that? No other holy book is under that kind of threat. What is it about the Word of God?
The word of God inspired. Gratitude. How are you thankful? For God's work. Hmm think about that.
So, the second thing it does, and we're going to read right here. Because He tells us why. He's thankful them without ceasing. Because when you received, you're going to say this after me, so stay tuned. Because when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, You welcomed it.
Not as the word of men, But as it is in In truth. The word of God.
So let's just maybe say one phrase at a time. Everyone say, When you received. Which you heard. You welcomed. Welcome.
The Word of God.
So this is God's book. When you read the Bible, you're getting a text from Almighty God. He is texting all of y'all right now all the time. He's texting all these kids, some of these kids. You know what they have?
They have cell phones. And they're getting text.
Well, God Almighty is texting them through His Word. The Bible. And what we're doing, what this amazing ministry is doing, is taking the text of Almighty God into the hands of the kids, the best text they're ever going to get. In a text that will instill grounding.
So, first of all, the Word of God inspires gratitude. The second thing it does is it instills grounding. They receded. They welcomed it. They heard it.
Faith comes by Hearing. And hearing. By the Word of God. And it was that moment. Then 1986.
Now you know how old I am. Mount Tabor High School.
Somebody gave me something very deadly. I don't know how I got through the metal detectors, but a little New Testament, right?
Something like this.
Someone gave me this. And for the first time in my life, Let me tell you what happened. Second period, I was Coach Hayes, the AD. I was his assistant. I was kind of his intern.
I was his gopher.
So one day I'm striping lines on the baseball field. The next day I'm cleaning up all the concessions from the night before or running an errand across town, whatever he needed me to do. But some days I had nothing to do, and I sat in his office, and all I had was this little book.
Now check this out. I had been reading this book. All my life, as soon as I could read, I was reading this book. But for the first time in my life, this book started reading me. And something happened.
And something was changing. And God Almighty was getting a hold of me. You know, the Word of God says, the entrance of thy word giveth light, it gives understanding. The word of God is quick and powerful, sharper than any two-edged sword. It pierces in the heart, it does what no other book can do.
And this public school teenager, thank God, someone gave me. This book And thank God this book. Connected me. to the Saviour. And it changed my life.
And I started telling other people about it. You can't help but tell about it. Right? I had to tell somebody.
So the word of God inspires gratitude, it instills grounding. Question. Am I grounded? and the word of God. Are you reading it?
Are you studying it? Are you memorizing it? Are you meditating on it? The last thing that goes in your mind before you go to bed should be a Bible verse. It's like a probiotic for the soul.
This is grounding in the Word of God, the foundation. You know the story, right? The wise man built his house on the. Rock. The foolish man on the sand.
What happened when the storms came? One of those houses stood because it was grounded on the foundation of God's word. Which will never Succumb to the storms of life. You think these kids are facing storms? Are you kidding me?
We heard the testimonies today. Think about that. Think of the storms you faced when you were a kid.
So It instills grounding, and the third thing it does: I love this: the Word of God not only inspires gratitude, instills grounding, it ignites growth. And look at this little phrase here. It says, For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you receive the word of God, which you heard from us. You welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth the word of God. Check this phrase out.
which also effectively Works in you. Say that with me, which also effectively works in you. The Greek word for works is energio. This is a supernatural energy. From Almighty God, and it works in you.
And it worked in that teenager kid. Myself in the public school. And let me tell you something, it's all over March Madness. Why is it all over Marks Madness? Why is it when you turn the tube on tonight or this morning on ESPN?
You saw some kid from High Point University.
Some kid named Chase Johnson. Who is this Phenom?
Okay, who is this guy? All of a sudden, he's a bracket buster. All of a sudden, what happened last night? How many of you saw it? This kid came in.
He scored 11 points in four minutes. He hit the game-winning shot, the only two-point shot he attempted all year or that he made all year to win the game against a higher-seeded team that was supposed to go deep in the tournament, Wisconsin. High Point University beat that team.
Now that sounds like a great Cinderella story until you know what does it have to do With the igniting growth of God's word. I'll tell you what it has to do with igniting growth because last week I was in the High Point University locker room. Wow. They were really desperate for God to come tell them about Jesus. Like who can we get?
You know, not flashy, really weak. They'll forget everything he says, so they called me. I walked in the locker room. And I challenge these young men. To know Jesus, to make him known, to find their identity in Christ and in the gospel.
And I just gave a challenging talk. And I found out later that that same day, Chase Johnson was scheduled to give his whole team copies of the Bible. Wild.
Now, look, this team. God's working on this team. He and my nephew David, number 35, is on the team. He's kind of Rickshaw freshman. He's amazing.
And David and Chase and some of the other guys have started a Bible study on the team. And God's been working.
Now, Chase is a spiritual leader. Chase is coming into a senior year. Chase is number 99. Everyone say 99? Chase at number 99, and guess what?
Chase is. was not number 99 his whole career. Chase never even wanted to be number 99. Chased, worshiped, lived, ate, drank, and breathed basketball. That was his idol until Jesus Christ grabbed a hold of his life.
a couple of years ago and radically transformed him. Chase comes into his senior year. He's got NIO money. He's got all the deals. He is a senior.
He's a starter. He's the stud. He's the big man on campus. He loves Jesus and everything's going great. He's living the Philippians 4:13 life until Vincent comes up to him and says, This new kid who just came in is a good ball player, Chase.
I noticed you're number two. is your jersey. Oh, that's been my jersey my whole life. Can I have number two, please?
Now, what do you do if you're the star? I'll tell you what I would do. The old man would probably drive that decision, right? Not the new man. Not the Spirit.
Well, let me tell you what Chase Johnson said. Without even winching. Jay said, you can have number two. I'm going for number 99. Because my Savior, my good shepherd, he left the 99 and he went and got the one.
He said, hallelujah, I'm that one. Everyone say I'm that one. Oh my soul. He can only save sinners. If you got it together, he can't save you.
Good luck with that. You can die for the sins of mankind. You can sacrifice. You can raise from the dead. No way, Jose.
Jesus Christ came to save sinners. That good shepherd, he left the 99, he went after that one. I was that one. Chase said, I want number 99. 11 games in the season.
Guess what happens to Chase Johnson, number 99? He gets to the bench. Coach says we're going to make some changes. I don't really like how you're playing. I'm going to give some other kids a shot.
What does he do? Does he quit? Does he go wheels up? A lot of folks probably said he should do that. Chase Johnson leaned into Jesus.
Chase Johnson, he got in the Word of God, which inspired gratitude. Which instilled grounding. Which ignited growth. And what did Chase Johnson do? He said, I'm going to work harder than anybody.
I'm going to dive after loose balls. They get to the conference tournament. Chase Johnson comes in and he starts nailing threes from half court. He plays unbelievable. They win the championship.
They had to win the conference championship to get to the big dance. They got to the big dance. And then at the big dance, go look at the highlights. Chase Johnson scored all those points. Boom!
They hand him the microphone at the end of this whole thing and the highlights last night. He says, I give all glory to my Lord, to my Savior, Jesus Christ. March Madness. The Word of God is spread all over because a young man was gripped by the Word.
Okay? This is what's happening. And we have a chance to get the kids. Early, right? John 3:16, the John 3:16 bus.
What does it say? Say it with me. For God so loved the world, He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him will not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16. Just right with your numbers, Jasmine, most kids are going to come to Christ.
Between the ages. Of three. That's right. We have a chance to reach a whole lot. Yeah.
I've chased Johnson's. We have a chance to reach a whole lot of Pastor Boyds. We have a chance to reach a whole lot of them when their hearts are tender. When they're going to come to Christ more likely in those younger days, that's the power of this ministry. That's the power of the igniting growth of God's absolute, powerful, amazing work.
So here's the question. Am I grateful for God's work? Am I grounded in God's word? Am I growing in God's will? And then the last IG.
The power of God's word ignites grace. Everyone say these words. You who believe. You who believe. See, faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.
And what God's Word never returns void. And what God's word does is it goes in and it works in the heart. The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul. Psalm 19:7. The law of the Lord makes wise the simple.
Psalm 119 says: The word of God will make me wiser than my teachers. It'll make me smarter than my enemies. God's word is powerful and it imparts God's grace. And in the word of God, we meet the love of God. Amen.
And we see and hear the gospel of God, the good news that an amazing holy God sent His Son to die for sinners like me. Amen.
This is the word of God that imparts grace like no other book. The word of God.
So. I want to ask you this question. And I'm out and I'm I'm about done. Y'all are amazing listeners. How has God's word changed your life.
You should think about that. Who gave you your first copy of the Bible? How has God's word changed your life? There's a church in China of 300 people that has one copy of the Bible. You know what they do?
They sit around, there's about that many people in here, maybe a few less. They sit around the table. Every week And they sign up, and they grab that sign-up sheet from the next person, and they say, I get Tuesday. from 6 a.m. to 7 a.m.
And they make sure that preacher gets that Bible sometime around Saturday afternoon so he can prepare a sermon. And the second he says, Amen, hallelujah, come forward, past the offering, and come down if you want to get saved. And let's go out and reach our nation in China. The second that's done, and he holds his Bible up, someone grabs it from him and says, It's my turn, preacher. I interviewed a guy on my show that was in that church.
It broke his heart.
Now, what's he doing? He's taking the Bible to China.
Now y'all don't have to get a passport. You don't have to go all that far? Because we're taking the Bible right across, right to Vienna, to these schools, Kimberley Park, that need the Word of God. And we have plenty of copies of the Bible. You don't have a Bible, come see me.
So, the Word of God imparts grace to those who believe. And the final question: Am I grateful for God's work? Am I grounded in God's Word? Am I growing in God's will? Am I glowing in God's wonder?
What about the death row inmate? Sitting across the table from him. Closer than we are to you guys right here. This guy has tattoos on from head to toe, and I'm sitting there thinking, okay, it's him and me in the studio. And I don't feel good about my chances right now.
Because this guy starts talking about his rhapsody. And he didn't, he didn't, he wasn't getting the death penal to be. He was such a mean, menacing. character that they put him on death row with the death row inmates. And his roommate was one of those loudmouthed born-again Christians.
I said, how did you get saved? He said, Well, I didn't like my roommate the second I walked in that cell. I'm on death row. These are the roughest of the rough. And I noticed he was reading this little book every night.
And when I found out it was a Bible, I got even madder about that.
So I set out, how am I going to get under his skin? I'm going to steal his Bible. This guy stole this man's Bible.
So I'm going to tear the pages out. I'm going to make cigarettes. I'm going to get under his skin. I'm going to hide it from him. He made a mistake of reading this book.
And what happened? The Word of God read him transformed his life. Amen.
And he was on my show testifying to thousands of people. That's the power of God's word. Amen.
Let me hear about that. Let's give God's word a hand. I'm John. I'm just going to give you this last quote. Ready?
The Bible, my favorite quote about in the Bible. This book contains the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, and the happiness of believers. Its doctrine is holy, its precepts are binding, its histories are true, and its decisions are immutable. Read it to be wise, believe it to be saved, and practice it to be holy. It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you.
It is the traveler's map, the pilgrim's staff. The pilot's compass. and the soldier's sword. And the Christian's charter. Here, heaven is open, the gates of hell are disclosed.
Christ is the grand subject. Our good its design. and the glory of God its end. It should fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet. Read it slowly, frequently, and prayerfully.
It is a mine of wealth, health to the soul, and a river of pleasure. It is given to you here in this life. will be opened at the judgment and is established forever. It involves the highest responsibility, will reward the greatest labor, and condemn all who trifle. With its contents.
This is God's Holy Word. Any ministry. Is doing anything to take God's word, especially to these amazing young souls. Who are going to be running things when we're gone and we're getting closer and closer to glory? Amen?
We need a support. And get 100,000% behind this.
So thank God for His Word. Thank God for Crossroads Kids Club. We love you guys, and thank you for having me speak to you tonight. Thanks for warning. And I'm making a presentation.
That quote?
So touched me and moved me, it took me a while to find it. Would anyone like to have that quote and take it home with you?
Okay, so I'm making a presentation. Jasmine, come on up here. The the four IGs First last zoning is 213. The whole message I just gave and the quote titled The Bible, Author Unknown. Is all on this card.
I'm going to give them to you. to bless our special guests here who are supporting this amazing ministry.
So those are y'all's. And may we all be weaponized. To take the greatest weapon. to our lost world about our loving Savior. And then Taking the Bible to public schools?
Are you kidding me? You, if you just joined us, you missed a message that I gave at the big gala for the Cornerstone Kids Club. I've got the president of the whole ministry with me. I interviewed Jasmine earlier in her amazing testimony, and she's one of the area directors for all of Winston-Salem there in North Carolina. But, Matt, some ministry and some gala.
I mean, everyone in the room seemed to be excited about what God is doing through Cornerstone Kids Club. Tell us your heart for this thing, man, and the passion behind it. Oh, thanks, Stu. Yeah, there was a great excitement there. And you know what?
We're doing those kinds of galas around the country. That was two of seven. And all around the country, we're seeing just incredible excitement and enthusiasm that we have the opportunity to take the gospel right to where kids are in their public schools. And I mean, the statistics are really clear. It's only about 22% of kids.
Are in church, but 83% are in public schools. These are elementary kids we're talking about. They don't drive. They can't get to our church, but we can go to them. And so that's what Crossroads is all about.
Amen.
And the greatest record of the greatest event, the crucifixion of Christ, the life of Christ, the substitutionary atonement, death, dying of Christ, and the resurrection of Jesus Christ is recorded in the Bible. God's Word. Cornerstone is centered around God's Word. You guys are doing it, brother, and we're so grateful for you. Hey, tell us a quick update on what God's doing in the ministry.
How many clubs are you in? How many schools are you in? Areas you're in, countries, and how many do you want to be in? And how can our listeners get behind this great ministry? A lot of questions.
Let me try to tackle them all.
So there's right now 126 clubs reaching about 3,000 kids. We're in 13 U.S. states in eight countries. We have staff across 12 of those U.S. states, regional coordinators.
So how people could get involved, we would love to connect you to the regional coordinator closest to you who can guide you. Through the process of starting an outreach in your local public school. You can also get involved by supporting financially at reachourschools.com.
So, those would be two great ways. Reachourschools.com. If the message has touched you, this is a great ministry. You're helping kids. What happens, Matt?
Tell us practically, real quick, what happens when a kid, maybe for the first time, maybe they come from a broken home, maybe no one's even shared the word with them, and they stumble into a cornerstone kids' club in their public school to give a testimony of maybe something that has happened before that's been transformative in a young person's life. Oh, so many.
So, you know, it's all the time we hear stories of kids who hear about Jesus, they make the decision to follow him. And then, what we see right as they're growing up and they're being discipled, one of the other things, a lot of children's outreach ministry is event-oriented, and this is relational. It's week by week, month by month, year by year. And so, as we walk with these kids, we're seeing them grow up into being leaders now. In fact, we just started a student.
Student Leadership Initiative, the Joshua Project. And we're seeing one little bit of, she came to kids' club in kindergarten, decided to follow Jesus in first grade. She's in sixth grade now, her last year at Kids' Club in the Joshua Project. And now she is praying for her classmates, distributing the word to her classmates, helping to lead in the club, really being prepared to lead a student-led ministry when she gets to middle school next year.
So, yeah, we're seeing God just raise up the next generation, not of converts, but of Christian leaders.
Well, praise the Lord that someone gave you your first Bible, someone introduced you to the Word of God, someone took you to a Christian camp where they taught the Bible, and someone shared from the Word of God the beauty and the reality of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, an event that changed the world and could change your life. But it starts with the Bible, and these folks are doing Bible clubs in the public school, perfectly legal, perfectly viable. Matt Armstrong is the president of this great ministry. Matt, give the website one more time. Folks want to support you.
And bring the Bible to these public school kids. We sure do complain a lot, and we should, about all this nonsense, you know, transgender mergeism and kids, you know, confused and evolution in the public schools. But here, you guys are doing, you guys are shining a light. You know, yes, curse the darkness, but light a candle. You're lighting a candle in these public schools.
Give the website for folks to learn more and to get involved financially, sir, and in honor of Christ and to spread His great word. Absolutely. Darkness can't be anything but dark, but we can shine the light. That's reachourschools.com. ReachOurschools.com.
Should
