November 6, 2000

After-school programs encouraged
___NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)--Christian after-school care programs represent an opportunity churches can't afford to miss in reaching children while their hearts are open to the gospel, said Anne Moor, director of the School Age Care Program of Cedar Springs Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tenn.
___"There is no better way to make an impact on these wonderful children than in a Christian after-school care program," Moor said while addressing a workshop preceding the National Preschool-Children's Convention sponsored by LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. "When else do we ever have so much time with the children?"
___"In Sunday school, you will have the children for one hour, one day a week. In an after-school care program, you have the children for up to four hours a day, five days a week. In the summer, you have them for up to 11 hours a day."
___Church-based after-school programs provide a loving, safe, Christian atmosphere in which churches can meet some of the children's spiritual, physical and social needs, she said.
___Also, after-school care programs can be an inroad for outreach to the families being served, Moor said, noting there is a pre-established level of trust between the church and parents.
___Churches already lead the way for preschool programs, Moor said. "Many, many churches have excellent preschool ministries, but we have not done a very good job providing care for our older children."
___Having the support of the church staff is essential to a successful after-school program, Moor said, advocating that the director of the program be considered part of the ministerial staff. "This is as much a ministry as a sports ministry," she said.

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