Kids Earn Money to Buy Bibles for Troops

By Ethan Cole, Christian Post Reporter Wednesday, July 01, 2009

American Christian kids as young as four are being challenged to do extra chores and other fundraising activities to raise money to buy Bibles for U.S. troops.

Focus on the Family's Clubhouse Jr. magazine, whose readers are aged 4 to 8 years old, has teamed up with the American Bible Society to encourage its 88,000 readers to raise funds by washing cars, selling lemonade, and doing household chores.

"One of our goals at Focus is to instill in children a love for God's Word, and this is a hands-on way of doing so," said Focus President and CEO Jim Daly. "Knowing that biblical principles form the foundation for strong families, we are proud to partner with American Bible Society in bringing hope to those who bravely serve our country."

Since June 15, interested kids can go online and sign up to raise funds to buy Bibles for active U.S. soldiers and veterans. The campaign, which runs until Aug. 31, offers on its website ideas on how to raise money and how to pray for the troops. Children can also print, color, and then send a card thanking troops and veterans for their service.

"This partnership with Clubhouse, Jr. teaches kids the importance of the Bible while serving our dedicated U.S. Military," said Chris Thyberg, American Bible Society military liaison.

Founded in 1816, ABS has had a long history of providing Bibles to the U.S. military, including providing Bibles to both the North and South during the Civil War, distributing more than 7.4 million pieces of Bible literature during World War II, and distributing more than 1.6 million portions of the Bible directly to chaplains and military personnel in Iraq and Afghanistan since 2003.

"It is good for Daddy to have a Bible to read in Iraq so he can have a friend there," said 3-year-old Violet, daughter of a U.S. Army chaplain in Iraq, according to ABC. "It will make him happy and help him not to be alone. The Bible tells him that God is with him."

On the Web: www.truthfortroops.americanbible.org