KBC Blog (2021)

Venezuelan long-distance runner Maickel Melamed faces incredible physical challenges when doing the things most people take for granted, such as simply walking. He was born with a rare condition similar to muscular dystrophy that has left his muscles twisted and weak.

But Maickel has the heart of a CHAMPION!

In 2015, he decided to compete in the Boston Marathon, one of the most demanding races even the most well-trained athletes struggle to complete. Determined to try, regardless of his physical limitations, Maickel took off with thousands of other runners.

But the race was especially grueling for Maickel. After almost a full day and night of running, his body was giving out. He was exhausted, freezing, and unable to move more than six small steps without stopping to rest in a torrential downpour. But he didn’t quit.

At 4:30 in the morning the day after the marathon began, Maickel was the absolute last person to cross the finish line. When interviewed after the race, he said, “We can do amazing stuff if we work together.” Even finishing last, he was a CHAMPION because he refused to stop regardless of the physical strain.

For KiDs Beach Club®, our faithful ministry partners who Give Every Month (GEMs) are our champions. KBC GEMs provide the stable financial base for our ministry to take the message of Jesus Christ to preteens into public school around the country! That in and of itself is AMAZING STUFF!

No matter how small or how large, your monthly gift helps KBC reach children and their families with the Good News of Jesus! Giving is easy and quick… simply scan the QR code or go to www.kidsbeachclub.org/donate and be sure to select the MONTHLY gift frequency.

Please become a KBC GEM CHAMPION today!

This month, we’re overjoyed to celebrate 19 incredible years of KiDs Beach Club^®! What started as a small dream to bring the Gospel into public schools has grown into a powerful movement that’s touched countless lives across the country and around the world. We are filled with gratitude for God’s faithfulness, the dedication of our team, and the unwavering support of our church partners and donors who have made this journey possible.

A Mission That Matters

Since 2005, KiDs Beach Club^® has been focused on one mission: connecting kids to Christ and putting Bibles in their hands. Through after-school Bible clubs hosted in public schools, we’ve had the privilege of sharing the Gospel with thousands of preteens who may never have encountered the love of Jesus otherwise. Every child’s story and every Bible distributed is a testament to the life-changing power of God’s Word.

By the Numbers

• 124,606 KiDs impacted through Beach Club^®
• 27,211 Volunteers who have given their time to lead Beach Clubs^®
• 10,194 Professions of Faith celebrated in Beach Club^®
• 78,223 Bibles distributed in Beach Club^®

Highlights of the Journey

Over the years, we’ve seen incredible milestones:

• Hundreds of Clubs: From a single club to hundreds across the country, we’ve partnered with churches to bring the light of Christ into schools and communities.
• Countless Professions of Faith: Through Beach Clubs, far more than 10,000 children have come to know Jesus as their Savior, forever changing the trajectory of their lives.
• Bible Distribution Milestones: Thanks to the generosity of our donors, we’ve been able to give away over 78,223 KBC Study Bibles, equipping kids with the truth of God’s Word.

Looking Back and Moving Forward

As we celebrate this significant milestone, we’re reminded of the many stories that highlight the impact of KiDs Beach Club^®. Stories like the young girl who introduced Jesus to her entire family, leading them to make Jesus THEIR forever friend. Or the church that launched a Beach Club and saw entire families begin attending worship services together. These stories fuel our passion and remind us why we do what we do.

While we look back with gratitude, we’re also looking ahead with excitement. There are still so many children and families who need to hear the Gospel, and we’re committed to expanding our reach, launching new clubs, and making an eternal impact for God’s Kingdom.

Join Us in the Celebration!

We invite you to celebrate this milestone with us! Here are a few ways you can join in:

• Pray: Thank God for His faithfulness over the past 19 years and ask for His continued guidance and provision as we move forward.
• Give: Your donation helps us reach even more kids with the Gospel and provide them with their very own Bible.
• Become a GEM: Join a group of faithful donors that give very month and make our mission possible.
• Share: Spread the word about KiDs Beach Club^® and how it’s transforming lives. Share your own story or memories of KBC with us on social media using the hashtag: #KBC19Years.

Thank you for being part of this journey. Whether you’ve partnered with us as a church, volunteered at a Beach Club^®, supported us through donations, or prayed faithfully for this ministry, you’ve played a vital role in making KiDs Beach Club^® what it is today. Here’s to the next 19 years of connecting kids to Christ, one Bible at a time!

We’ve all heard the saying, "The first step is the hardest." But for FBC Ripley and their Beach Club, every "first" has been a powerful, life-changing step toward building bridges of faith and hope for the next generation.

From securing school board approval to gathering a devoted team of 28 volunteers, to witnessing 12 children make life-altering decisions for Christ, FBC Ripley’s Beach Club has been marked by remarkable firsts this year. These milestones not only highlight the church’s commitment but also reveal the heart behind their efforts to reach and disciple young lives in their community.

Gaining Approval, Gaining Trust

The journey began with a significant victory—the approval from the school board to bring Beach Club to local schools. This was no small feat, but the dedication and prayerful perseverance of the team at FBC Ripley paved the way for this crucial step. Gaining approval was more than just a checkbox; it was a testament to the trust the community has in the church’s mission and vision to positively impact the lives of children.

A Team United in Purpose

One of the standout features of FBC Ripley’s Beach Club is the incredible volunteer team. With 28 passionate and committed individuals, the church has formed a strong foundation for its program. Volunteers aren’t just there to help; they’re there to invest, to pour into these children, and to build meaningful relationships that will leave lasting imprints on their hearts. Each volunteer brings their own unique talents, energy, and love for Jesus, creating a dynamic, powerful team that is truly on mission.

A Busload of Dedication: Leadership Luau

Another "first" that stands out was FBC Ripley’s extraordinary participation in the KBC Leadership Luau. In a beautiful show of unity and enthusiasm, they rallied their entire volunteer team, filling a bus with many devoted individuals and traveling together to the event. This act of dedication wasn’t just about transportation—it symbolized the collective heart and passion of their church for the Beach Club mission. The Luau wasn’t just a training session; it was an energizing moment of equipping and inspiring leaders who are deeply committed to reaching kids in their community.

Life-Changing Moments: Children Coming to Faith

However, perhaps the most profound firsts have been the moments when children have come to faith. Since the start of their club, they have had 12 children make Jesus their forever friend!

These powerful, life-changing decisions are the culmination of months of prayer, planning, and hard work. For the children who have decided to follow Christ, this isn’t just a "first"—it’s the beginning of a journey that will transform their lives and families. These moments, where children make the decision to trust Jesus, are the heart of the Beach Club mission, and they’re what make all of the hard work and dedication worth it.

We are proud to announce that our very own founder and CEO, Jack Terrell, has been honored with the prestigious “Unsung Hero” Award by East Texas Baptist University (ETBU)! This recognition celebrates individuals who have made meaningful contributions to their communities while often working quietly behind the scenes.

Jack’s journey began at ETBU, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1991. His commitment to children's ministry has been evident throughout his career, as he served in various churches with a passion for nurturing young lives. In 2003, feeling a strong calling to extend his impact beyond traditional church settings, Jack launched Beach Club^®, a program designed to instill Biblical character in preteens and connect them with local churches.

In 2006, Jack founded KiDs Beach Club^®, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing children with a “Jesus experience.” Since its inception, KBC has reached over 125,000 children, equipped more than 27,000 adult volunteers, and celebrated over 10,080 professions of faith. Jack’s vision and leadership have transformed countless lives and strengthened communities across the country.

During the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, Jack’s resilience was truly remarkable. In 2020, KBC adapted by launching KBC-Television^®, producing engaging content that has reached families around the globe and earned numerous awards for its quality and impact.

Receiving the “Unsung Hero” Award is a well-deserved recognition of Jack’s dedication and the profound impact he has made through KiDs Beach Club^®. We are incredibly proud of him and grateful for his unwavering commitment to serving children and families. Congratulations, Jack! Your journey inspires us all to serve with humility and purpose.

What an incredible season it has been as we celebrated Great Treasure Day at KiDs Beach Club^®! Each Beach Club^® across the Nation was filled with joy, laughter, and the excitement as the volunteers presented the gift God’s word to their clubbers.

The Excitement of Each Club

Each Beach Club^® celebration brought its unique flavor, but the common thread was the pure joy on the faces of the children as they received their very own KBC Study Bible. The thrill of unwrapping their Bibles and the anticipation of diving into God’s word was palpable.

Club Highlights:

• Molino Park Elementary This club has 104 kids registered! If students received a Bible in the past, they were given a "pocket" Gideon New Testament to either keep or share.
• Rhodes Elementary: This club embraced Great Treasure Day by eating treasure chest cupcakes and running through a high-five line, making the experience even more memorable.
• Kemp Intermediate: 34 kids received new Beach Club^® Bibles and they enjoyed celebrating their new treasures!

From heartfelt prayers to fun group activities, Great Treasure Day was a beautiful reminder of our mission to give every preteen a Jesus experience. The impact of Great Treasure Day goes far beyond the moment of receiving a Bible. It’s about the conversations that follow, the stories that unfold, and the hearts that are transformed. With every Bible handed out, we are equipping children with a treasure that can guide them not just today, but for a lifetime.

Thank You for Being Part of Our Journey

We are immensely grateful for the volunteers, churches and schools, who make these events possible. Your support and enthusiasm are what drive our mission at KiDs Beach Club^®.

As we look forward to the future, we invite everyone to continue celebrating the treasure of God’s word with us. Whether you attended a Great Treasure Day or are just learning about our mission, your involvement makes a difference in the lives of these children.

Stay tuned for more updates, and let’s keep celebrating the incredible treasure that is God’s word!