Grand Rapids, Mich (K4K) -- The number of Christian kids reading their Bibles is increasing this summer as Keys for Kids Ministries launches its second annual WORD with Zach summer reading program. Libraries have had summer reading programs for years. Now, Keys for Kids has our own program that helps kids read AND grow in Christ.
"It's not just about reading," said the President of Keys for Kids Ministries Greg Yoder. "It's about reading something that's most important in life, our relationship with Jesus Christ." The goal is to have kids read real-life kinds of stories that point them to Scripture. Why? "So they can apply Scripture to their everyday life," says Yoder.
WORD with Zach is designed to encourage kids 6-12 to read the Keys for Kids devotional every day for the months of June, July and August. If they don't miss a day, they win a prize each month. If they don't miss a single day during the summer they're name will be entered to win a Kindle Fire.
This year (2019) we had more than 7,300 kids sign up for the program, representing 3,000 families from around the world. 37 countries are represented this year. Some of the countries include: Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Russia and Vietnam.
As kids finish their WORD with Zach devotional each day, they write down the key thought. As they finish each month, calendars are uploaded to the WORD with Zach website along with pictures and testimonies of how God is using Keys for Kids in the lives of kids and families.
"Pray that the Holy Spirit will not only lead children to Christ, but that the hearts of moms and dads would also be touched for eternity," says Yoder. "It's amazing to me how God uses kids to speak into the lives of parents," he added.
If you'd like to support this free program, go to WORDwithZach.org.