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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.