City Kidz Experience

One woman in our community shares her experience serving with City Kids:

When I first heard about City Kidz, the heart behind this ministry kept tugging at my own heart. As this ministry seemed to so closely align with my passions in serving, it was something that I could not ignore. 

Upon showing up that first Saturday in June, I really didn’t know what to expect. I knew that there would be a big, blue truck that somehow turned into a stage; I knew that we would be going into two of the “worst” neighborhoods in San Francisco: Hunter’s Point and Alemany; I knew that we would be putting on a Vacation Bible School type program for the kids in these neighborhoods. However, I did not know of the incredible ways that the Lord would capture my heart afresh as these children so quickly grabbed a hold of mine.

Every Saturday that I show up for City Kidz, God continues to minister to me through these children. They have such an enthusiasm to know the Lord and experience His love. As we show up, they run to us with a vibrancy that is so refreshing. “I remember you!” or “Give me a hug!” or “Will you play with me,” they each squeal. I am convinced that City Kidz has done such a valuable job in the past of loving these kids, so that when we show up (even some of us as new faces), they know that they will experience true, genuine love. For them, experiencing the love of another who loves the Lord is such a reflection of the love of their True Father. 

When I watch these kids raise their arms in praise to God our Father in worship, I am reminded of the zeal that He desires also from me when I come before Him. When I hear these kids (from the ages of 3 to 15) recite their memorized scripture verse, a renewed passion for His Word stirs within me. When I feel the touch of the small hand grabbing a hold of mine, I recall the tender touch of my Abba. When I see the joy on the face of the child that has won a plastic toy in the raffle, I realize that sometimes the greatest needs are just around the corner from my own backyard. 

Through my experience with City Kidz, God continues to impress upon my heart His love for me. These kids just want the love, affection, and touch of another. That is what the Lord provides to each of us, and we can be His vessels! And, He continues to show me that, while world missions are so vital, I do not need to travel all the way to Africa to find a poor, lonely child longing to experience the love of the One who “will meet all our needs according to His glorious riches.”