| The Bible Bee—A Tool for Restoration in the City |
2009-06-18 |
 Colin Pinkney, Executive Director of Urban Restoration, a faith-based non-profit in Charlotte, North Carolina, knows it was absolute, divine intervention that led him to the Bible Bee. He caught the ad in The Charlotte World magazine (a publication that had featured his ministry two years prior) the same week that he had been earnestly praying for God to direct him to an outlet that would specifically teach children in his community that God is a God who keeps His promises. A Charlotte resident for the past fifteen years, Colin views the city as one in conflict. Outsiders may esteem it as one of the nation’s financial giants, but, on the ground, he says, it’s “inner-city urban.” With one of the highest rates of teen pregnancy, school drop-outs, and child abuse and neglect cases in the country, there is clearly a need for the family to be restored here. That is where Colin’s heart is. He recognizes that family values are eroding at an alarming rate all across the nation, but especially in at-risk urban communities such as his own. He cites Malachi 4:6 as the essence of what needs to happen; Malachi speaks of Elijah’s coming, saying, “And he will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers.” Yet, while fighting for families and restoring the value of marriage and family to the community is imperative, above all, he says, having a heart for the gospel and taking it out into the community is most important. He hopes Christians will take advantage of the opportunity the Bible Bee has offered to do just that. Colin hopes the Bee will inspire a total engagement of the community to rally around the children and families who participate with two main goals: to learn the Word of God and to learn that God really cares for them. It is one thing to pray, teach, and preach something, but these kids still see crime as their daily reality. God has to be real to them in their circumstances. Colin desires to have young people experience a community who cares about them, and hopefully they will, in turn, become “community-givers” themselves. He stresses that wealth and fame are not prerequisites for them to contribute to their community and hopes the Bible Bee ignites participants to give back—to live the kingdom of God here on earth. There is evidence already of his community coming together in support of the Bible Bee. Five area churches and several area businesses have partnered with Urban Restoration to ensure their Local Contest touches their community. One small, urban church is sponsoring twenty-five contestants! While that in itself is a blessing, realizing the day-to-day financial hardships lived out in the congregation really brings their sacrifice to light. Another larger church is expected to send up to one hundred volunteers to lend their services on the day of the Local Contest. Even Coca Cola is allowing its employees to take time off from work to volunteer their time for the Bee. Colin has formed study groups to help those contestants prepare for the Bee who may not have any kind of structure in their own homes. Several fundraising efforts are also in the works, including plans for a major concert on September 19, with a big-name headliner, as part of celebrating the completion of the Local Contest. Colin wants each and every child who participates to feel like a winner. To that end, he is creating special awards such as “Best Memory” and “Best Servant,” and he is working with different sponsors to bring in donations, making sure that no child goes home empty handed! Colin views the Bible Bee as a powerful tool God has provided to teach children—he has six of his own. He has already seen the Word of God at work through the Bible Bee first-hand. Each morning before breakfast, Colin’s two sons, ages twelve and nine, sit at the kitchen table and study their Bible Memory Passages. As they head off to their public school each morning, they are challenging each other and quoting Scripture all the way! Colin is, above all, embracing this opportunity for his family, especially for his sons, following the charge found in Deuteronomy 6:4-9 to impress the commandments of God on the hearts of our children, to “talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up,” understanding that community outreach begins in the home. |
IMPORTANT DATES
'
What's the Buzz?
The Bible Bee—A Tool for Restoration in the City
Colin Pinkney, Executive Director of Urban Restoration, a faith-based...
Read more...
What Others Have to Say about the Bible Bee
Since the Bible Bee website went live in October of 2008, numerous media sources have picked up the Bible...
Read more...
Taking Advantage of the Bible Bee Opportunity
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in...
Read more...
Click Here To View All News
