 Children from all different backgrounds confront challenges because of their environment. Happy Faces Youth Ministry at First Spanish Baptist Church, located near Camden, N.J., works to help Hispanic children in any way possible. Originally a dream for church members, this unique ministry became a reality in October 2000 and is still thriving today. As Pastor Jose Velez explains, the success of Happy Faces comes from the involvement of volunteers and caring adults. But until the program sprang up in October 2000, founder Celia Delgado has said that there were no such services available for Hispanics, as there were for other cultural groups.
The goal is to serve children, youth and families, and to preach the gospel in a dynamic and exciting way. Thanks to growth of the program, the church now has a van available to transport children to worship services and other activities. Many fun programs and events for the kids are held weekly, monthly and annually. “We offer activities that help our kids relate to God and the church,” Velez says.
Programs include meetings twice a month, often with devotions, Bible classes, arts and crafts, movies, trips and music. Children also enjoy special events monthly, including storytellers, clowns and game days. And each summer, about 100 kids attend Vacation Bible School. An annual Thanksgiving banquet is held and a “Three Kings Dinner” (a Hispanic tradition) at Christmas.
“We had a brief tour with the group to get a firsthand look at some of the kids’ homes. Examples of living conditions, both physically and mentally for the children, were more heart wrenching when we saw them in person. ... They really look forward to going to the church, and for some it is the only love, not to mention food, that they get that day,” said volunteers John and Jodi Eaglesham.
The Eaglesham’s explain some of what Happy Faces does for the kids: “Happy Faces Ministry provides clothes for some who do not have enough. They get involved with the families and try to help with whatever the need is.”
According to its mission statement, Happy Faces Youth Ministry strives “to educate, equip and enrich the bodies, minds and spirits of youth and families in the community.” The enthusiasm and caring volunteers have for these local kids helps the program to thrive. Volunteers give rides to and from the center, and the abundant and loving care they share in all areas of service allows the program to work to its full potential.
Plans for the future include: continuing the church’s spirit of evangelism; a literacy program for parents; English classes for immigrant families; after school program; and family and individual counseling and outreach.
Happy Faces is a reminder that children living in poverty have the same needs as other children. While motivated by those needs, this ministry can be understood well with a verse commonly cited by Christians: “Thus I make it my ambition to proclaim the good news, not where Christ has already been named, so that I do not build on someone else’s foundation, but as it is written, ‘Those who have never been told of him shall see, and those who have never heard of him shall understand.’” (Romans 15:20-21, NRSV)
On normal day at Happy Faces Youth Ministry, the children’s faces light up as they pose for a picture holding up signs saying “Jesus Loves Us.” These happy faces are fitting to the ministry’s name!
The Children in Poverty initiative of National Ministries, American Baptist Churches, USA, seeks to encourage and equip American Baptists to respond to the needs of children in poverty through various ministries. It pinpoints resources, all the while working to give ideas and opportunities for ministering to children. The Children in Poverty initiative in part aims to observe and communicate successes of those ministries throughout American Baptist churches.
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