Fall 2024 Newsletter

For the past eight years, Keys for Kids Ministries has focused on reaching unreached people groups. These groups are defined by unique languages or cultures, have less than a 2% Christian population, and lack the resources to spread the Gospel within their own communities.

Since 2016, Keys for Kids has provided resources in Albanian, Arabic, Macedonian, Nepali, Urdu, Greek, and Spanish languages as a part of our Storyteller ministry. These are solar-powered MP3 players with audio Bibles and a year’s worth of Keys for Kids stories loaded on them.

Our partner in the Urdu translation work, FMI, told us of a need to produce Storytellers in the Pashto language for Afghanistan. Forty to fifty million people speak this language in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Today, there are 1.7 million Afghan refugees living in northern Pakistan. Keys for Kids Ministries made this language a priority. In June, Keys for Kids was the featured mission group at the Maranatha Bible and Missionary Conference. They helped us raise $54,000 to facilitate this request. 

We were just informed that an FMI donor will be matching that, which means it will provide 5,000 Storytellers. FMI’s Nehemiah Paul tells us, “sixty percent of the devices will be going into Afghanistan. Forty percent will be going to the refugees.” However, the need is even greater. “We could use 7,000 units right now,” says Paul.

According to research, nearly 70% of people who come to faith in Christ do so between the ages of 4 and 14. It is the most fertile ground in evangelism. After that, the percentages go way down. That is why Keys for Kids Ministries presents an annual Impact Award to people who have given their lives to reaching kids and teens for Christ.

At the 2024 Keys for Kids Celebration Dinner on October 3, Dodd and Tami Morris were presented with this award. In 1988, Dodd, a student at Grand Rapids Baptist College (now Cornerstone University), started working with the Children’s Sonshine Network (now Keys for Kids Radio) as a ministry of 91.3 WCSG. Tami, who was Dodd’s soon-to-be wife, began volunteering in 1990. She has maintained her role as Keys for Kids Radio Music Director, continuing to serve kids and teens.   

The network started as a side-band special tuned into FM radio. It featured Christian music, programs, and fun—all focused on sharing Christ with kids. It started in Grand Rapids, but soon branched out to dozens of other radio stations. Now, Keys for Kids Radio can be heard by anyone who has internet or the Keys for Kids mobile app.  

Dodd and Tami were humbled by the presentation of the Impact Award. Ken Boone (aka Mr. Nick), founder of the kids’ radio program We Kids, which aired on the network, shares, “[Dodd and Tami] are creative, kind, gracious, and faithful people, and they deserve the honor they are receiving. The word that describes both of them is loyal. Loyal children, loyal servants of God.”

From the President – Funding is a Challenge

As we close our fiscal year (Oct-Sept), I want to be open with you about the challenges we’ve faced and the road ahead. This past year, our goal was to meet a $2.2 million budget, but we ended our fiscal year nearly $400,000 short. While this is tough news to share, I’m reminded of God’s perfect timing and provision.

Project delays, staff attrition, and a contingency fund allowed us to avoid drastic cuts to our ministry. These unplanned savings were a blessing, keeping our work with kids, teens, and families moving forward. However, if our funding challenges continue, we may have to make cuts that could impact the very programs and outreach efforts designed to help young people find spiritual truth in Jesus. 

As we look ahead to 2025, the urgency is clear. We need a strong final quarter to start our new fiscal year on solid ground. Our goal is to raise $900,000 between October 1 and December 31 to move forward with our planned expenditures and growth opportunities, while allowing us to restore our contingency fund.

I believe wholeheartedly that God is blessing this ministry by giving us so many opportunities. I also know He’s promised to take care of us. “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19). We’re seeing kids and teens searching for hope. Let’s not slow down our efforts to provide that hope simply because of inadequate funding. I’m asking you to stand with us through your prayers and generous giving so we can continue sharing the life-changing message of the Gospel with those who are searching for spiritual truth. To support us in our mission, please visit keysforkids.org/donate.

It’s hard to believe summer is over and school is back in session. During June, July, and August, Keys for Kids Ministries encouraged young people to read God’s Word and their devotionals every day

For kids ages 6-12, the WORD with Zach summer reading program entered its sixth year. For teenagers, the Unlocked summer reading program entered its first year. Altogether, more than 2,500 young people from 26 countries participated.  

Not only did they read, but God is working in the hearts of young people. This boy wrote in with mom’s help: “My name is Ian. I am 4 almost 5. I asked Jesus in my heart after listening to Keys for Kids on June 15. My older sisters helped me pray. I also got to take communion at church for the first time too. I like listening to Keys for Kids.” 

The summer reading programs are designed to create a Bible reading habit that we hope will last a lifetime. Annika wrote in, “I have finished WORD with Zach and marked my calendar. It kinda makes me sad that it’s ending. But I am going to keep reading. I had set an alarm for 10:30 A.M. every day [during the summer] so I wouldn’t forget to read, and even though I’m finished I am going to keep the alarm.” 

Teens were also impacted. Olivia is a teen from South Carolina. “Thank you for your ministry. I am 15 years old, and I love reading Unlocked. It has really made me think about how I’m living out my faith and how I can serve God better.” WORD with Zach is offered free each summer (as the teen reading program will be). Funding is needed for prizes, mailing, and support. Go to WORDwithZach.org to donate