Hope For Kids, Inc.
November 2013 

Dear friends and family,
           

I have some very, very, very exciting news to share with you.  Please read this note in it's entirety.  I don't usually like to send such lengthy updates because I know that your time is valuable and a limited, but this time it was necessary.  Our kids are all doing awesome!  See you at the end of the letter...

  
 
 

 

We have launched our own children's ministry!

 

A New Concept has birthed in my heart - taking church to the unchurched. Not just any unchurched....unchurched children. At first I thought of this concept as a church planting one - In partnership with the local church, we would go into the local community's right where the kids are and plant a team of believers rather than a church building.

 

After really thinking this concept through though, it seemed more like a "kingdom" plant and the local church is the one carrying out this strategy. We are extending the Kingdom of God by brining church to the unchurched children, and establishing a "church" presence in specific neighborhoods and communities. I, for one, and a handful of others around me, have taken the charge of the Great Commission seriously, and we are going out to get them, bringing church to them, and placing them face to face with Christ and His church.

 

I am not referring to planting physical church buildings; rather, I am talking about recruiting, training and equipping men, women, and teenagers of God, who are concerned with going out and reaching the lost. I am also referring to reaching the most often overlooked yet most fruitful mission field on planet earth - children! No one responds so readily and genuinely to the Gospel as children do, and they're everywhere. Just look around.

 

My heart is especially burdened for the needy and at-risk children who are often found in the inner cities. Oh, my heart aches and breaks for ALL of the children to be saved, but God has given me a special place in my heart for these needy and at-risk boys and girls. For starters, I am looking to establish "church plants" in all of Springfield's 17 neighborhoods by working through the Springfield Housing Authority to provide a free, after school church-like program for the children in their system. After spending time with children in the city, I have realized that no matter what kind of children's program a Bible preaching church may have; no matter how big, exciting, or effective these programs are- for a number of reasons, the kids in the inner city will most likely be unable to go to church. They are not able to get there on their own and they don't have caregivers, parents or legal guardians who will take them. That is why I am burdened to go to them.

 

I believe that the spiritual need that these needy and at-risk children have is priority #1.  I also believe that through meeting basic physical needs, like food, clothes, shoes, back to school supplies, etc., relationships can be formed within these communities and with the families of these children.  Yes, there are actually many homeless families (this includes adults, teens and youth), I'm talking entire families right here in America.  This is one reason I am partnering with our local Springfield Rescue Mission to impact families and their children for Christ. 

 

These are just a few of the reasons that I decided to launch a corporation, one that will have no limits and no lack because God Almighty has set it in motion. I am most inadequate to undertake such an endeavor as this, but God shall enable me because: "He who calls you is faithful; He will surely do it." I Thessalonians 5:24

 

I have been working day and night as of late, to set in order the many details that are required to establish a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization. Those of you who have done the same, I have great respect for you, because now I know how difficult of a task it is. Thank you to many of you who have joined me in prayer, conversation, time and the sharing of your expertise during this process.

 

I want you all to know that ministry to children has not stopped or even paused; it has merely slowed down for a brief time to allow me to focus on the task at hand. But now the most of the leg work has been done for the IRS and we will wait to complete our IRS application for tax exemption once the LORD supplies the $850 fee for us.  I am asking you to trust me. I spent 30+ days in prayer, initially, fervent prayer, about this decision and this idea has been in my heart now for 5 years, marinating. I am 100% certain that it is what God wants me to do. I will keep you in the loop as new developments occur.

 

For now though, our ministry should hopefully be officially incorporated by the first of December 2013, and then we will be awaiting official IRS tax exemption status sometime near the beginning to middle of the 2014 year. Any donation made payable to our organization Hope For Kids, Inc. now, however, will be tax deductible from the date of incorporation. In other words, once we receive official IRS tax exemption status, every cent that was given to our organization becomes tax exempt. Remember, anticipate being officially incorporated by the first part of December 2013.

 

Below is the name of our ministry, mission and vision statements and the means to accomplish our goal, as well as my closing comments. Thanks for being on my team. Blessings!

 

Hope For Kids, Inc.

 

Mission

We are dedicated to giving needy and at-risk children Hope through physical nourishment, spiritual renewal, and cultivating authentic relationships.

 

Vision

We want to see every child transformed by the message of hope - the Gospel, giving them healing from the past, help in the present, and hope for the future as they become leaders who positively impact their own communities.

 

Means

We intentionally invest in networking with local churches, businesses, charitable organizations, and individuals to provide children with the venues, resources, and means necessary to accomplish our goals. None of which is any more powerful or necessary as prayer.

 

Our humble Savior says, "When you have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren you have done it unto me." How wonderful it is to minister not just for the Lord, but to the Lord, and we must not turn our eyes and hearts away from battered souls that desperately need the Savior. Oh, for more Christians who would make their lives a refuge and a sanctuary for broken-hearted people!

 

It is to these precious children that we are called. Hope For Kids, Inc.. has just a handful of volunteers who are willing to get serious about rescuing them, but we can't do it alone. I invite you to prayerfully consider if God is tugging at your heart to join us as we labor to take church to the unchurched...one child at a time.

 

For the Children,

 

Matt Currier

 

"Even so, it is not the will of My Father in Heaven that any one of these little ones should perish." Matthew 18:14

  
So, there you have it, Hope For Kids, Inc. is officially underway!  I want to thank all of our prayer and financial supporters.  We need and value your part in this ministry now more than ever.  If you'd like to contact me please feel free to.  Happy Thanksgiving!
  
Matt, for Erika and the entire family