Play in a Bunco Tournament June 9, 2012 at Park West Church on Middlebrook Pike from 9am-1pm and help send inner city kids to Summer Camp. $10 = $5 donation & $5 to play. Email bunco@kicko.org or call (865) 523-4956 to RSVP.

Not all curveballs are bad. Some can be good; all allow us to grow. In my life I have experienced both. With the diagnosis of cancer a year and a half ago, I was faced with the choice of asking, “Why me? This kind of thing only happens to other people.” But thank God, I realized I’m no more special than anyone else. Bad things happen to everyone because of the evil that exists in this world. Therefore, my response was, “Why not me?” I realized that being a Christian and serving God with an unrelenting passion did not guarantee me a life exempt from tragedy. I also know that whatever bad happens to me, God has promised to make something good from it (Romans 8:28). So rather than asking the “why” question, I asked Him the “what” question. “What are You going to do to make good out of this?” I could write a book about the goodness of the Lord

You can miss God’s blessing by asking “why me” questions. The Bible is full of examples of people who God called to serve Him, but because of individual insecurity, inabilities, or age they asked the “why me” questions. We see Jeremiah questioning God because of his youth. Moses tried to convince God he was not the man for the job because he stuttered. Jonah had a bad attitude and whined to God. All of these men had reasons to ask God, “why me?”through this trial and His faithfulness to His word.

My confession is that when God called me to ministry, I  asked the “why me” questions! It was 21 years ago. I was a homemaker with a husband and four children. I had no “skills” or “gifts” that were noticeable to me. I’d never taught Sunday school, VBS, scouts, or anything else that would have qualified me for a call from God. The only thing I had was a heart willing to be obedient. So, the “why me” turned into a “why not me?” Knowing that if God was asking something of me, He would provide the resources in supernatural gifts and passion.

Today, I understand that just as tragedy can be part of the life of a minister of the Gospel, so can blessing be part of an unknown Christian homemaker’s life. The rudder that determines the direction for our life is our attitude.

So, I challenge you to put away the “why me” mentality and embrace the “why not me” in your life. It really is a matter of the heart and trusting God with the unknown tomorrows, asking Him “what can we do together to advance Your kingdom?”

Janice Clark
Co-Founder

Sidewalk Sonday School is starting back, and that means we have started visiting the kids in their neighborhoods to get them ready.  I was covering a visitation for Janice in Walter P. last week when I realized how much her visitation has meant to this community over the past 17+ years.  I started in the Boys & Girls Club talking with the kids, staff,  as well as some of the older community volunteers.  They were all asking about Ms. Janice and her health, mentioning that they had been praying for her.  They went on to express how much the Sonday School means to the kids in that community.  As I began to walk through the community, I noticed most people were outside because the weather was beautiful.  I continued to be stopped by adults after adult asking about Ms. Janice.  “Tell her that Brandy said, ‘Hello,’ and I hope to see her at Sonday School.”  Then another, “Tell Ms. Janice Benny’s parents asked about her.  We are praying for her.  She has been walking this neighborhood a long time and we miss her.”  Then later in the neighborhood, I was stopped by a group of women sitting together and they asked about Mrs. Janice.  “We really miss her.  She has been walking through this neighborhood a long time.  It really means a lot to us.  The program really helps our kids.”

A lot of people get nervous when I tell them I am going to Walter P. Taylor Homes, but I know when I walk through there with my Sonday School shirt on, I am recognized as working with Ms. Janice. She has earned a lot of love and respect in that community.

Ms. Janice didn’t have lots of money to change that community (even though if she had it she would use it to help them). She doesn’t have any special talents to wow them with.  She is simply in their community and lives showing them the love of Jesus on a regular basis.  Her commitment and consistency has stood apart.  Ms. Janice’s genuine concerned about their lives is evident as she takes time to listen to their problems.  So when I think of visitation, I think of how over time it leads to transformation.  Little changes in the life of one person at a time.

Later in the week, while visiting the Vestal and Laura Cansler Boys & Girls Clubs, community, volunteer Grannies encouraged me.  These Grannies usually come watch Sonday School with the kid, and were so happy to see me returning after our Winter Break. One Granny at Laura Cansler said, “Thank you for what you do for these kids.  You have been doing it a long time, and they need it.  A lot of these kids may never have a chance to get to church, but they can hear about the love of Jesus at Sonday School.” My Granny at Vestal said something similar, “I am so glad the program is starting back to teach these kids about Jesus.  I really enjoy coming out and listening as well.  They have been asking for weeks when Sonday School is going to start back because it really means a lot to them and is making a difference.”

Visitation is the backbone of what we do.  It is when we spend time talking to the people in the community, building relationships with the kids and their families. Oftentimes, they share with us their hardships as well as their victories. During these moments we are able to listen, pray, and even help see their physical needs met.

Alisha Ballenger
Sidewalk Sonday School Team Leader

Two months ago my family was reminded of how important affection is and how often it is taken for granted.

While at Green Hills for our normal Thursday Sidewalk Sonday School our volunteers were visiting the kids to invite them for the fun! We visit each child, do pre-service activities like coloring or hopscotch, and then many of the volunteers will sit on the tarp with the kids during our hour of Sonday School. One family of girls always wants to be held. They not only want to be held, but will climb one of ladies like a little monkey. When my oldest daughter is at Green Hills these girls climb on her back, intending to never get off. I have to admit, I’ve been a little irritated sometimes that they would not sit on the tarp.

Until . . . this past Christmas!

We were visiting this family of girls at home to deliver some Christmas gifts. While we were visiting, one of my daughters was holding their 6-month old. After a few minutes into our visit mom said, “Please put her down. I do not hold my kids much, so they do not get used to it. I’m a single mom, and can’t hold them all the time.” WOW! That explained why the other girls were starving for hugs and always wanted to be held. My eyes were opened and my heart broken.
Recently, I heard another dad explain why he doesn’t hold his kids (As they were climbing up Rob’s leg to be held!). I am still puzzled by this mindset, but I know that I know you cannot give too much love. So, if you have a lap available or can give a hug, you can ministry to these kids who are desperate to see and know the love of Jesus through you!

It was an unusually beautiful day for the month of January.  The sun was brightly shining; the children were playing outside, sitting on the porches, and soaking up the warmth of the sun’s rays.  One girl was sitting on the ground reading a book.  Smiles and laughter abound throughout the area.  I couldn’t help but share in their joy of such a wonderful day.

Amidst all the gaiety and innocence of the day was a cloud of hopelessness.  As my eyes scanned the streets, I had to ask myself, “What has happened?”  Scattered along the curb of the long stretch of pavement was furniture and clothes.  No, a tornado had not been through the area to blow the possessions of these apartments to the curb.  I’ve worked in our city’s low income housing long enough (18+ years) to immediately understand what had happened to several families on this beautiful day in January.  These families had been “put out”.  Unable to pay their electric bill or rent had caused an increase in the homeless population that day.  Sadness gripped my heart as I would walk by these deserted piles of what used to be called “home”.  No one was around these piles, but as I looked closer I noticed that drawers of furniture were missing.  It was as if this incident of being “put out” had occurred earlier in the day, and someone had taken the drawers out of the furniture.  I would like to think it was the owner who had crammed everything they could into some drawers before they walked away to look for an unknown place to take their family.  A round oak dining table turned upside down caught my eye.  I realized that piece of furniture was too heavy to transport, and so was left behind for the neighbors or city pick-up.  I couldn’t’ help but think about the memories that family must have taken with them of eating around this old but beautiful oak table.

People in our inner city are broken and without hope for many reasons.  That warm, beautiful, sunny but sad day reminded me again of why I do what I do.  All of us at KICKO realize that knowing Jesus is an absolute must for any kind of life now or in eternity.  We do bring hope to a broken and shattered world.  But more than that, we bring a future to these people.  The Word of God promises that we are more than conquerors, and that He is able to make good out of any situation if we allow Him. Whatever we go through we are not alone because nothing can separate us from His love.  I wish I knew where those families are now, so I could encourage them with His faithful and powerful LOVE, reminding them of hope on such a cloudy, not so innocent day in their life.

Stewardship: Emotionally (Mind, Will, Emotions)

Stewardship: Physically (Eating, Excercising, Self-Perception)

Stewardship: Financially (Time, Talents, Money)

On January 21st, KICKO partnered with a local credit union, UT Federal Credit Union for the Mad City Money simulation. This simulation is geared toward young teens, and allows participants to make mistakes—and suffer the consequences of their decisions—in a realistic, but safe, environment.

Around 35 inner city youth participated that day. It took every bit of help from the 12 adult volunteers. From the very beginning the kids were excited about the simulation, as most participated while wearing their pajamas. (Wearing pajamas was an added random bonus to the day which I conceded to allowing the group to do as a fun way to mix things up.)

During the simulation, I overheard a number of kids comment on the importance of making smart decisions on the ‘big stuff’ at the very beginning (i.e. housing, transportation).

A 6^th grader, De’John, was one of the only kids I saw spend more than what they brought in each month. He went for the ‘biggest and the best’ at every station, getting multiples at times.

A volunteer at the Grocery Store Station noted how many in the group thought through their decisions realistically, thinking about how many times they would want to eat out each month and how many of those times at a nice restaurant, etc.

The Car Dealers made it fun, holding, at time, a kid’s paper checks in the air as if they could be fake or real, and selling more than one car to their clients on a regular basis.

At the end of the simulation we gathered comments from the group on what they had learned. An 8^th grader, Jamiya, said she wasn’t having kids “cuz’ they are expensive.” Another 8^th grader, Candace, talked about how tired she was from doing her budget to make sure she had enough money for everything she needed. She couldn’t believe how tired she was as she added, “And I haven’t even gone anywhere.” She couldn’t imagine budgeting like this every month!

I believe they grasped some real-life concepts from this simulation.

For 17 years now, we have been going into Knoxville’s inner city equipping and empowering its children to fully realize their potential and discover their God given destiny. We work daily to see God-given dreams fulfilled in their lives. We fight today’s ‘bigots’ such as poverty, crime, gangs, violence, and teen pregnancy. We fight against their destructive voices and the path they desire these kids to go down. We fight for dreams Divine, to see each and every at-risk child in Knoxville to have to opportunity to hear the Gospel.

Join us in believing such a dream!

For us, January is when we reflect on what God did through KICKO the previous year and also seek His direction for the new year. Each year He focuses us on a particular Scripture (rather than resolution) and unfolds His plan for the ministry’s year.

We are in awe as we reflect on His amazing grace in 2011. He has sustained our health in order to fulfill the call to the inner city. We completed two 13 week semesters of Sonday School and 3 weeks of Christmas outreach. In the summer, our younger kids were able to attend 2 local VBS, while our youth were involved in 2 different camp experiences and a youth conference, (plus Winterfest in March). Michael, our youth director has begun to teach our youth about being a servant in the community by taking them to partner with other ministries. They have served meals to the homeless several times, organized clothes, ministered in drama and dance and helped pack meals to be sent overseas. Each month our inner city youth are involved in giving back.

This year will be all of that plus more. God is always stretching His children. For Sonday School, we have plans to add 2 new sites in August—Montgomery Village and Lonsdale. We already have favor in both of those communities. VBS is back on the schedule for the summer. New camp opportunities are on the drawing board too. Our spring and fall lessons will focus on the Ten Commandments and the Fruit of the Spirit. Michael just started a new discipleship series on Tuesday nights with the youth on Stewardship. Oh, I forgot to mention that Dave Ramsey gave $5,000 for the youth ministry for their giving heart plus donated teaching materials for the series. Our youth are being challenged to raise funds to help others in need, not for themselves. Lock-ins and Winterfest are coming up. First Friday means discipleship and fellowship just for our high-schoolers. Parades including the MLK and the Dogwood Arts will see our dance team and trucks featured. We are sharing our vision for transforming the community with area churches. God is doing amazing things and we are a part of it!

We invite you to join us this year in changing the inner city. Plan to attend our annual training and info meeting on Tuesday January 24th.

Together we can make a difference . . . “ . . . We are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” Romans 8:37.

Janice Clark
Co-Founder

It was Christmas Eve and the pews at New York City’s Riverside Church were packed. The Christmas pageant was underway and had come to the point at which the innkeeper was to turn away Mary and joseph with the resounding line, “There’s no room at the inn!” The innkeeper was played by Tim, an earnest youth of the congregation who had Down Syndrome. Only one line to remember: “There’s no room at the inn!” He had practiced it again and again with his parents and the pageant director and seemed to have mastered it.

So Tim stood at the altar, bathrobe costume firmly belted over his broad stomach, as Mary and Joseph made their way down the center aisle. They approached him, said their lines as rehearsed, and waited for his reply. Tim’s parents, the pageant director, and the whole congregation almost leaned forward as if willing him to remember his line.

“There’s no room at the inn!” Tim boomed out, just as rehearsed. Everyone let out a collective sigh. But then, as Mary and Joseph turned on cue to travel further, Tim suddenly yelled, “But wait!” They turned back, startled, and looked at him in surprise.

“You can stay at my house!” he called.

Well, Tim had so effectively preached the Christmas Eve message at Riverside Church that Pastor Bill Coffin strode to the pulpit, said “Amen!,” and sat down. It was the best sermon he ever preached.

I pray that we all make room at our house for the birth of Jesus—the Messiah, this Christmas. Merry Christmas and God’s richest blessings for the New Year.

Bill & Janice Clark
Co-Founders