KBC Blog (2021)

From his very first day at KiDs Beach Club^®, it was clear that Brady’s heart was open and eager to know Jesus. He brought his Bible each week, faithfully completed his Hang 10s, enthusiastically joined in worship, and thoughtfully participated during Bible time. 

Although Brady is only in third grade, his sincere desire to know, serve, and follow Jesus has been unmistakable. So when Brady made the decision to give his life to Christ, it was a moment filled with joy—not only for him, but for everyone who has had the privilege of watching his faith grow. 

Brady’s mom shared that he had been thinking about salvation for a year or two and was finally ready to make that life-changing decision. When she picked him up from Beach Club^®, becoming a follower of Jesus was the very first thing he told her. 

“I almost fell over due to excitement and tears of joy,” she shared. “We sat there in the car for an hour and called the entire family to share the life-changing news! It was such a special day!” 

For Brady, this was more than just another day at Beach Club^®. It was the beginning of a lifelong journey of faith. 

His mom expressed her gratitude for the Beach Club and the opportunity Brady had to hear the truth of the Gospel, saying, “The Beach Club will always be very dear to my heart! Thank you for serving and making a difference in the world by sharing truth and saving lives, one-by-one!” 

Stories like Brady’s remind us why KiDs Beach Club® exists: to provide children the opportunity to hear the Gospel, know Jesus, and begin a lifelong foundation of faith and discipleship. 

Jaedn Baptized in 2019

Years after Jaedn attended Beach Club^® as a third grader during the 2018–2019 school year at Norwood Elementary, his former Surf Team volunteer still prays for him and checks in with his family. Recently, Jaedn’s mom shared an update that gave her a glimpse into the young man he is becoming. 

“He’s a worshipper, golfer, and musician!” she wrote. “He loves to worship the Lord on his guitar. He was recently asked to lead the youth at church.” 

His mom also shared how much that lasting connection means to their family: “It is so special to us that you continue praying and checking in on him. He will always hold his time with you and the beach club near to his heart!” 

Jaedn’s story is a reminder that the relationships formed in a Surf Team can last well beyond a child’s time at Beach Club^®. A volunteer who cared for him then continues to encourage him through prayer today. And now, Jaedn is sharing his love for the Lord with other young people. 

At KiDs Beach Club^®, we are grateful for volunteers who invest in children and keep caring about them as they grow. What a joy to hear how Jaedn is doing today! 

During the first week of Beach Club^® at Taylor Elementary in Burleson, Texas, two students approached a Bible Connection Leader with questions. One received a quick answer and returned to his Surf Team. Brayden, a third grader, stayed. 

Brayden was curious and wanted to talk more. As he asked questions, the leader spoke with him about what it means to make Jesus his Forever Friend. That day, Brayden decided to ask Jesus to be his Forever Friend. 

When a KiDs Beach Club^® leader shared the news with Brayden’s mom, she was excited. Their family attended church, she explained, but she and her husband had not yet talked with Brayden about his own relationship with God. 

The leader encouraged her to connect with someone at their church who could follow up with Brayden. His mom couldn’t wait to do that. 

Brayden’s story is a reminder of why we make room for children’s questions at Beach Club^®. A few extra moments with a caring leader gave him the chance to talk about faith and make a decision of his own. Now his family and church can walk alongside him as he grows. 

For Melissa Schubeck, KiDs Beach Club^® began with a simple question: “Why would I not do this?”

In 2019, Melissa was serving as a Preschool and Children’s Director at a church when she discovered KiDs Beach Club^® at a KidzMatter Conference. When she learned that churches could go into public schools and share the gospel with children, she immediately knew she wanted to be involved.

“You mean I can go into a public school and tell kids about Jesus? Sign me up!” Melissa remembers thinking.

In 2020, her church launched its first Beach Club^® at Kingsfield Elementary. Just six weeks later, COVID brought their first year to an unexpected end. But even in that short time, Melissa saw the incredible opportunity Beach Club® provided to reach children and make an eternal difference.

Seeing the Impact Firsthand

One story from Melissa’s time as a Club Leader has stayed with her ever since.

A little girl came to Beach Club^® after being invited by a friend. She wasn’t attending church at the time, but Melissa quickly noticed her genuine desire to know more about Jesus. She loved Beach Club® so much that she asked Melissa to email her mom the songs they sang so she could listen to them at home.

Over time, that little girl gave her life to Christ and was baptized. But the story didn’t end there.

Her sister was baptized, and her mom gave her life to the Lord and followed through with baptism as well. Today, their family continues pointing others toward Christ and inviting people to church. Her dad even gives out crosses at the gym and uses opportunities through his business to share his faith.

One of Melissa’s favorite moments happened when the little girl arrived at church to be baptized. A man greeting at the door was introduced to her, and when he heard her name, he immediately recognized it.

“I’m your Prayer Anchor. I’ve been praying for you!”

For Melissa, it was a beautiful picture of the many people God can use to impact one child: a friend who extended an invitation, volunteers who faithfully showed up, a Prayer Anchor who prayed, and a Bible placed in a child’s hands.

Her life was changed, and that impact spread throughout her family.

“It reminds me that we may never fully see the impact of our faithfulness,” Melissa said, “but God can use every small act of obedience to change lives for eternity.”

A Dream Job Becomes Reality

After experiencing the ministry firsthand, Melissa knew KiDs Beach Club^® was something special. At one point, she even said her dream job would be working for the ministry.

When she later found herself looking for a new opportunity, she reached out to a dear friend about the possibility of joining the KiDs Beach Club^® staff. God used that connection to open the door, turning what Melissa once called her “dream job” into reality.

Looking back, she can see how God connected each piece of her journey and led her to where she is today.

Her experience as a Club Leader continues to shape the way she serves churches, schools and volunteers. Because she has been in their shoes, Melissa understands the preparation that goes into each week of Beach Club®, the challenges that can arise and, most importantly, the joy of building relationships with children and sharing God’s Word.

That experience also keeps her focused on the heart behind everything KiDs Beach Club^® does.

Behind every process, training and resource is a child who has the opportunity to experience the love and truth of Jesus.

Every Volunteer Makes a Difference

If there is one thing Melissa wants Beach Club^® volunteers to understand, it’s that the seemingly small moments matter.

Showing up. Knowing a child’s name. Listening. Offering encouragement. Praying. Reminding a child that they matter.

“We may not always get to see what God is doing through those moments, but He can use every conversation, every prayer, and every week we spend loving kids and pointing them to Jesus,” Melissa said.

And the impact of Beach Club^® isn’t limited to the children being served. Melissa has also seen how volunteering strengthens the faith of those who serve.

As volunteers step out in obedience, share the gospel and allow God to use them, He often grows their faith in the process.

“As they invest in the lives of kids, God is often growing and strengthening their faith too,” Melissa said. “And that is incredibly beautiful!”

Meet Melissa Outside of KBC

When Melissa isn’t serving through KiDs Beach Club^®, she loves spending time with her family and enjoying life on the Gulf Coast, especially at the beach.

She and her husband enjoy being outdoors, biking, traveling and watching Florida Gator sports. Melissa also loves organizing just about anything and spending time with her two grown children, Justin and Brianna, and their spouses, Isabel and Dylan.

Whether she is supporting churches and volunteers, spending time with family or enjoying a day at the beach, Melissa’s story reflects what she has seen throughout her journey with KiDs Beach Club^®: when people faithfully say “yes” to the opportunities God places before them, they may never know just how far the impact will reach.

KBC CON 2026 brought the KiDs Beach Club^® family together from across the country for a powerful day of inspiration, encouragement and training.

Volunteers and ministry leaders gathered at the live event in Texas and six satellite sites nationwide. Although attendees were separated by miles, they were united by a shared mission to reach children with the truth of God’s Word.

This year’s conference was especially meaningful as KiDs Beach Club^® celebrated 20 years of ministry. Attendees looked back on two decades of God’s faithfulness and the countless lives changed through Beach Club^®.

Since 2006, KiDs Beach Club^® has impacted more than 130,000 children, distributed nearly 82,000 Bibles and witnessed more than 10,000 professions of faith. Behind every number is a child who heard the gospel, received a Bible and experienced the love of caring volunteers.

Throughout KBC CON, attendees heard stories of life change, received practical training and connected with others who share a passion for reaching the next generation. The conference provided an opportunity to celebrate what God has done while preparing volunteers and leaders for another incredible year of ministry.

KBC CON also served as a reminder that every volunteer plays an important part in the KiDs Beach Club^® story. From leading Bible lessons and building relationships to praying for children and supporting local clubs, each act of service helps bring the gospel into public schools.

As we celebrate 20 years, we are filled with gratitude for every volunteer, church, school, donor and ministry partner who has helped make this mission possible. Your faithfulness continues to make an eternal difference in the lives of children and families across the country.

Thank you to everyone who attended, served, spoke, hosted and helped make KBC CON 2026 possible. We left inspired by what God has done, encouraged by the people serving alongside us and equipped for the ministry ahead.

The first 20 years have been an incredible testimony of God’s faithfulness, and we believe the best is still ahead. Together, we will continue reaching children with the greatest treasure of all, God’s Word.

As a teacher at Kimball Elementary, one of the greatest joys is watching my students grow—not just academically, but as kind, confident, and caring individuals. Seeing them attend KiDs Beach Club^® has been a blessing because I've witnessed a different kind of growth that happens when children know they are loved, valued, and encouraged.

Each week, I see students walk into the club excited and full of anticipation. They leave with smiles, laughter, and a sense of belonging that carries into the classroom. It's amazing to watch children who may be shy begin to open up, friendships grow stronger, and students gain confidence as they discover that they matter and have a purpose.

One of my favorite moments was Great Treasure Day. The excitement on the students' faces as they received their very own Bibles was something I'll never forget. They held them close with such pride and joy, eagerly flipping through the pages, showing them to their friends, and talking about how excited they were to take them home. Seeing that genuine enthusiasm and appreciation was incredibly moving.

As an educator, I know that children thrive when they are surrounded by adults who believe in them. KiDs Beach Club^® has become another source of encouragement for so many of our students, reinforcing values like kindness, compassion, respect, and hope. Those lessons don't end when the club is over—they show up in our classrooms, in the way students treat one another, and in the confidence they carry with them each day.

It has been a privilege to witness the impact KiDs Beach Club^® has had on our students. Watching their excitement each week, seeing the joy on Great Treasure Day, and hearing the stories they eagerly share reminds me that when a community comes together to pour love, hope, and encouragement into children, lives are truly changed.