For nearly a year, one dedicated volunteer spent Wednesday nights quietly serving behind the scenes. They made the rounds through local neighborhoods to pick up five young children who had no other way to attend services. It was a simple act of service, but as they looked out at the community, they saw a much larger need. They recognized that for many families, the only thing standing between a child and hearing the Gospel, was a lack of transportation.
When they approached their leadership about formalizing this effort into a bus ministry, the requirements were significant—it would take a full team of adults to drive and supervise. They turned to prayer, and by mid-January, the ministry officially launched. What started as one person's mission in a personal van evolved into a 15-passenger bus ministry dedicated to bringing the message of Jesus to those on the margins.
The impact of this volunteer's vision was felt almost immediately. On the very first night the bus ran, a third-grade boy climbed aboard for the first time. He attended GNC, and during counseling time he had had many questions. That evening, the message of the Gospel clicked for him. He asked deep, life-changing questions and made the decision to follow Christ that night.
That transformation didn't stay confined to the church walls. Because of that one ride, his parents began attending Sunday services to learn more about the church. Soon, his teenage sister joined them as well. Not long after this, the boy was baptized—a milestone that began because a volunteer was willing to pull up to his curb.
The ripple effect has continued to grow through the power of invitation. One young girl in the GNC invited her friends, which eventually led to the ministry picking up seven children and an adult from a single home. Even grandmothers have begun riding along with their grandchildren to ensure they arrive safely.
The ministry has become a vital support for working parents. Recently, the team celebrated the baptism of a GNC student on a Wednesday night. Because her mother was at work and couldn't attend, the volunteers recorded the service and sent it to her, ensuring she could share in her daughter’s joy despite her circumstances.
Today, that 15-passenger van is consistently full. On any given Wednesday, more than half of the riders are children specifically from there the Good News Club. The growth has been so rapid that the team is now preparing to make double trips just to ensure that no child is left behind. They see these "growing pains" as a beautiful answer to prayer.
This volunteer’s story is a powerful reminder that when one person is willing to step out, entire families can be reached. Your support of our mission empowers volunteers like this to keep moving forward, ensuring that the "Good News" is never out of reach for a child who needs to hear it.
"But Jesus said, 'Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.'"
Matthew 19:14
Names and Photos have been changed to protect our volunteers and children.
