How to make a Touchdown for your city
One: Pray. Is God calling you to this? It will be a large task and may take several years before you see the camp.
Two: Network. Do you know people from other churches and would you be willing to tell them about Touchdown Camp at a meeting you call.
Three: Do you see the needs of the unchurched children in your city? Would you be willing to share this with those you talk to?
Four: Are you willing to be persistent, insistent, and steadfast in what God calls you to do for your city?
Five: Are you willing to work and pray with Christians from other churches in your city?
PS. The results are worth the effort!
DO YOU HAVE A SOFT SPOT FOR CHILDREN?
This may be an indicator that you are to do something for your city. A heart for children is essential for the work that is ahead for you.
God will encourage you by the support of at least one friend as you step out to get a vision for the children you want to help in your city. Meet with that friend. Talk about how you feel about children. Dream together. This is the pregnancy of the work for your city. It takes time. There may be some ups and downs. All normal. Keep going.
Ask others to do something small by way of outreach. It may be a book table or help a small church with a children’s outreach. There will be an open door. Look for it and say yes. This is just the beginning of what could be the most
satisfying volunteer work of your life. Don’t worry if you don’t feel qualified. It is God who works in you to do what He wants done. Step out in faith. The first step is the big one. After that, it becomes evident.
How To Start Project Lost Sheep in Your City
You need as a group to have a target child or a vision for the child you wish to serve. As you meet and discuss this will come or the leader will get a clear idea and pass this on. In the case of Touchdown Camp we had a clear vision of the hispanic child that we wanted to help. This story was read and discussed. What are the needs of Antonio? What could we do to help him? How would our program help prevent him from going into drugs and gangs.
The Boy on the Porch
Antonio is sitting on the porch in the afternoon sun. There is nobody else home. His mother is at work and his little brothers and sisters are being watched. But, he is too old at nine to go and be with the babies. He stays home like a man.
Antonio watches car whiz by. He’d like to go with them now somewhere, but he has o money. He feels alone, stranded, weak. He doesn’t even have a rusty bike. He couldn’t go anyway because his mother says he can’t go anywhere by himself.
Sometimes Antonio thinks well..he’ll just walk off the porch. He sees the older kids. The gang. They’ll come someday and invite him and he will have to go with them. But, today, he just sits on the orch. The gang scares him. But, what else is there?
Sometimes he thinks that his Dad will come back. Things would be different then. There would be enough food, someone, another man to talk to.
Antonio picks up a school book and puts it down. He doesn’t care much for schoo. Tomorrow he won’t even bother to carry books home. His mother will get mad and yell. Antonio lets out a sigh. He sees the postman coming.
Here he is coming up to the porch.
“The usual” the postman says handing him a wad of bills and one magazine.
As the postman walks away Antonio feels weary, old. He opens the magazine and a flyer flutters to the porch floor.
Antonio looks down and reads these words.
YOU CAN BE SOMEWHERE ELSE. Touchdown Camp is free to children 6-11 years old. You can come and be with others to have sports, food, games..and Bible stories and drama. There will be people to listen to you. If you need a ride we can help. Don’t miss this week that will be the best week of your life. Give us a call. Verbo: 650-364-9821
Antonio stood speechless with the paper quivering in his hand.