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A tall, skinny kid from Ohio shocked the world in the 1972 Munich Olympics by completing a comeback in the 800-meter race that is still being talked about today, more than 50 years later!

David Wottle was an outstanding collegiate runner, competing at Bowling Green University at the highest levels. He ended up qualifying for the 1972 Olympics, but the newly-married Wottle developed a severe case of tendinitis in his left knee just days before traveling to Germany.

At the Olympics, Woddle said he felt like he was at “85-90 percent” of his ideal conditioning, but pushed through and lined up for the 800-meter race, a brutal all-out sprint for half a mile. When the gun sounded, Woddle ended up yards behind the other runners within the first few steps due to the pain. For three-quarters of the race, he was lagging far behind the pack. But then, something in him changed.

He pushed through the pain in his knee and passed runner after runner, stretching out at the finish line to take the GOLD MEDAL by just a few hundredths of a second. Woddle was a CHAMPION because he refused to give up, fighting the pain in his body and winning Olympic glory.

KiDs Beach Club^® understands the value of never giving up, and we are blessed by our many faithful donors who stand proudly and support KBC with their monthly gifts. They are OUR CHAMPIONS because they never quit supporting the ministry!

Donors who Give Every Month (GEMs) provide the backbone of support we need to share Jesus with countless children every year. Would you please join us as a ministry partner by signing up to give to KBC monthly?

Signing up to be a KBC GEM is easy and quick. Simply scan the QR code below or go to www.kidsbeachclub.org/donate today. Your monthly gift, no matter how small or large, will be a tremendous blessing to KBC.

Summer can be a quiet season, but our mission at KiDs Beach Club^® never takes a break.

Statistically, summer months are a lean time for non-profit giving. It is a common trend for all nonprofits, and we are no exception. Even though our Beach Clubs^® pause for the summer, our behind-the-scenes work ramps up as we prepare to reach even more kids in the fall. And that is why we are inviting you to join us in our summer giving campaign: GEAR UP.

GEAR UP is our call to action. It is a campaign to bridge the summer giving gap so we can continue reaching preteens with the Gospel message. Our goal is to raise enough funding over the next few months to keep our ministry strong and moving forward.

As Hebrews 6:10 reminds us, “God is not unjust; He will not forget your work and the love you demonstrated for His name by serving the saints, and by continuing to serve them.” When you give to KiDs Beach Club^®, you’re helping us serve kids and families with the love and truth of Jesus Christ.

Your gift today matters.

Whether it’s $20, $200, or more, your faithful gift fuels the mission and keeps the momentum going. We’re committed to giving every boy and girl in our clubs a Jesus experience — and your support makes that possible.

How You Can Give:

• Text GearUp25 to 41444
• Visit kidsbeachclub.org/GEARUP
• Look for the GEAR UP button on our site

GEAR UP runs from May through July and will culminate in a special giving push on Thursday, May 30, but you can make your impact starting today.

Together, let’s keep the mission moving forward and prepare for an amazing fall of life-changing ministry.

Earlier this month, the KiDs Beach Club^® team gathered from across the country for an incredible four-day Staff Advance. More than just a retreat, this time together allowed us to strengthen our team, grow in our mission, and create lasting memories.

From the moment we arrived, the energy and excitement were palpable. We kicked off with a time of prayer reminding us of the importance of unity and our mission. Throughout our sessions, we engaged in meaningful discussions, shared insights, and took time to learn together. Each moment reinforcing our commitment to reaching kids for Christ in public schools.

One of the highlights of the Advance was hearing from our esteemed new Board Member, Randy Draper. His message centered around the theme of 'Happy To Do It,' inspiring us to serve with joy and enthusiasm. His words of wisdom and encouragement reminded us of the deeper purpose behind our work, leaving us all feeling recharged, uplifted, and ready to press forward with renewed passion and dedication.

The team also took a deep dive into our new Five-Year National Growth Strategy, as well as our Communications Plan for the year to promote KBC to a broader audience. The entire staff learned about KBC’s efforts to grow the organization by identifying thousands of new potential church partners, beginning in the Southeastern portion of the U.S. and spreading out from there.

Of course, no trip to Texas would be complete without experiencing the historic Fort Worth Stockyards! Our team had an amazing time exploring, taking in the sights, and embracing a bit of Texas culture. Whether it was watching the famous longhorn cattle drive, enjoying great food, or simply walking through the streets, it was a perfect way to wrap up an unforgettable time together of fun, fellowship, and focus.

As we look ahead, we can’t wait for next year’s Staff Advance! The time spent learning, laughing, and growing as a team has only strengthened our resolve to continue impacting lives through KiDs Beach Club^®. Until next time, we press on with renewed excitement for all that God has in store!

At KiDs Beach Club^®, we love seeing kids take biblical truths and apply them to their everyday lives. On Thursday, February 27th, our character word was confidence, trusting in someone greater than you to fight the giants along with you.

That week, the kids were facing a big challenge: state testing. We reminded them that just like David stood before Goliath with unwavering faith, they too could trust God to help them overcome their "giant" of state testing. The Beach Club^® leaders encouraged them to pray before taking their test, knowing that God cares about every part of their lives, including their schoolwork.

One student, Layla, truly took this to heart. She believed that if God could help David, He would help her, too. But Layla did something unexpected. She prayed out loud before her test!

As we all know, state testing is silent time, and no talking is allowed. Layla’s bold prayer caught everyone’s attention, and she was pulled out of the classroom by the principal. They had a conversation about what had happened.

But here is the amazing part. Layla stood firm in her faith. She was not ashamed to pray and she was not afraid of the consequences. She simply trusted in God, just as they had talked about.

A Reward for Bravery and Faith

The next week, the Club leaders could not let Layla’s courage go unnoticed. They celebrated and rewarded her for her bravery and faith! She did not just hear the lesson on confidence. She lived it!

In a world where it is often easier to stay quiet about faith, Layla showed true confidence in God. What an incredible reminder that Jesus is proud of those who stand up for Him.

Let’s all be like Layla this week: bold, confident, and unafraid to trust God with our giants.

Born in China in 1902 to Christian missionaries, Eric was a bright and studious child who captured the imagination of the entire world with his resolute faith, character, and conviction.

Though he spent his early years in China with his parents, he was sent to boarding school in England, eventually ending up at Edinburgh University in Scotland. It was during his time that he became a world-class runner.

At the British Olympic Trials in 1923, Eric set a new, long-standing British record for the 100-yard race. He also won the 220-yard race in record time, qualifying him for the 1924 Paris Olympics!

But Eric’s Christian faith was publicly tested in Paris when the 100-meter qualifying race was scheduled for a Sunday. Eric felt Sunday was the Lord’s day, and even though it was his best event, he never ran on Sundays. When he refused to run, he was initially labeled a traitor to his country. But he stood his ground, choosing to honor God and not compromise his faith.

Backed into a corner, the British Olympic committee made an unprecedented change and put him in the 200-meter and 400-meter races. He won the Bronze medal in the 200, and set a new Olympic and World Record in the 400, becoming a national hero, not so much because of his on-track achievement, but for his unwavering faith.

Eric Liddell’s life was memorialized in the 1981 movie Chariots of Fire, which won four Academy Awards including Best Picture.

KiDs Beach Club^® also understands the value of resolute faith, and we are blessed by our many faithful ministry partners who stand proudly and support KBC with their monthly gifts. They are OUR CHAMPIONS because of their unwavering support!

Donors who Give Every Month (GEMs) provide the backbone of support we need to share Jesus with countless children every year. Would you please join us as a ministry partner by signing up to give to KBC monthly?

Signing up to be a KBC GEM is easy and quick. Simply scan the QR code below or go to www.kidsbeachclub.org/donate today. Your monthly gift, no matter how small or large, will be a tremendous blessing to KBC.

Please become a KBC GEM CHAMPION today!

We are thrilled to announce our new partnership with The Perfect Light — Texas’ premier landscape lighting and Christmas lighting company!

When you purchase lighting from The Perfect Light and use KiDs Beach Club’s exclusive redemption code: Beach, 10 percent of the sale will be donated back to KiDs Beach Club^®! This generous offer applies to:

• Landscape lighting sales

• First-year Christmas lighting sales (for new customers)

• Any Christmas Light Additions for existing customers to your current design. 

It’s never too early to start planning for your holiday lighting or to brighten your home year-round with stunning landscape lighting.