Barefoot for Bare Feet
As a part of the mission, attendees at the Church of God FOCUS 2011 Children’s Ministries Conference last spring, and the Kidfest 2011 events, children and children’s ministry leaders were encouraged to take new shoes to each of these events for distribution to those without shoes. At the FOCUS Conference, the attendees were challenged to attend the session barefoot as a reminder of what it means to live without shoes. The response was overwhelming and with the shoes that were sent, participants in the events were able to bless children in need living in orphanages in Mexico, as well as victims of the spring tornadoes in Alabama, through the outreach of Phil Campbell Church of God.
Members of the Phil Campbell Church of God gather shoes.
“The need for shoes around the world is still very present,” stated Tony Lane of Church of God youth and discipleship. “On average 300 million shoes end up in landfills, this is also the amount of children around the world who do not own a single pair of shoes…1.5 billion is also the estimated number of people who do not own a pair of shoes. Please take a moment and think about how just one day would be without shoes? The reality of it is many of us take this simple item for granted and own dozens of pairs, with donating just one pair can make an incredible difference in a person’s life!”
At each event, during one of the sessions, there was a shoe blessing. Those in attendance who took shoes to be given away, were invited to take their shoes to the front of the room, where they held them and prayed for the individual who would be wearing their shoes. They had already been encouraged to write a note, along with their name on the sole of the shoes. Children, youth, and adults held shoes and blessed them in prayer, that God would bless the individuals who would be recipients of these gifts of love and compassion.
For more information about the Barefoot for Bare Feet ministry, or for information about the FOCUS Children’s Ministry Leadership Conference or the Kidfest events, go to www.cogyouthanddiscipleship.org, or call Tony Lane at 423.478.7229.
