Daily Devotion Focusing on the Missions Supported by First Pres

Based on Mark 10:13-16

¹³ People were bringing little children to him in order that he might touch them; and the disciples spoke sternly to them. ¹⁴ But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. ¹⁵ Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.” ¹⁶ And he took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them.

The gospel writer Mark is known for his concise treatment of subjects, but he gives the most detailed account in the Gospels of this episode in the life of Jesus. Jesus stopped the disciples from dismissing the presence and the value of children. Jesus talked about how they were the ones to possess the kingdom of God, and then he reached out and touched them. Some adults really treasure children and touch their lives.

That’s what some adults in our church do through the Honduras Children’s Scholarship Fund. The late Gene Aspy promoted this wonderful mission project throughout our church and our presbytery for decades. Working with presbytery mission teams in Honduras, and seeing how children in Honduras were only offered free education through the sixth grade, Gene encouraged his friends in Christ to make a difference.

A program was put together through the Presbyterian Churches in Honduras to help children afford the money required for uniforms, books, and stipend to teachers to let children attended grades 7–12 in the Honduras School System. Children apply for these scholarships, and their local pastor and a presbytery committee helps award scholarships and monitor annual educational progress. Each $350 donated provides one child with a year of education in grades 7-12.

Our church’s Global Mission Committee funds several scholarships annually as a part of our church mission budget. Gene Aspy may have reached out to you in the past to invite you to touch a child’s life through a scholarship. (Gene let me see how good it feels!) If he missed you, I’ll take his place and ask you to consider joining in this wonderful ministry with your prayers and your pocketbook.

Prayer

Dear Jesus, You showed us how much You treasured children by touching them in significant ways. Help us to care for Your little ones however we can today. Amen.