| Literacy Missions Ministries |
One of the great outreach opportunities available to Kentucky Baptists is literacy missions. Literally thousands in our state have the very real need for help in learning to read and write. As Baptists reach out to meet this need learners become open to hearing the Gospel from the caring people who were concerned enough to teach them. The gift of literacy is a gift that lasts a lifetime! The Kentucky Baptist Convention provides training and support for individuals, churches and associations who are interested in literacy ministry in the following areas:
Tutoring Children and Youth (TCY)
The opportunity to get a child off to the right start with literacy skills is as close as your neighborhood school. You can volunteer as a tutor at a local school or establish a reading program at your local library, school or church; you can provide refreshments, gifts or other support for tutoring programs; or you can encourage older children to read to younger children. To be a successful TCY volunteer, you'll need a heart for teaching, encouraging and mentoring children and a good relationship with a local school, library or other children's organization.
Adult Reading and Writing (ARW)
Adult non-readers face a variety of challenges. As a result of low literacy skills, they may have difficulties in other areas of their lives such as finding and maintaining steady employment; navigating insurance, financial and social services; or expanding their cultural, social or employment opportunities. On the other hand, some adults with low literacy skills may have achieved a comfortable level of function
and may not recognize a need to increase their skill level. All of these factors make the ministry of an ARW volunteer challenging. A successful ARW volunteer will need to have the heart of an encourager.
All of these factors make the volunteer of an ARW volunteer challenging. For instance, ARW volunteers will usually need to find and cultivate relationships with students. Once they establish a relationship with a student, they may have to work very hard to keep encouraging that student to persevere. A successful ARW volunteer will need to have the heart of an encourager.
Conversational English (CE) and English As A Second Language (ESL)
Over the past decade, thousands of people from around the globe have chosen to make Kentucky their home. Many of them are eager to learn English or improve their conversational skills in order to become full, participating members of their communities.
You can welcome new neighbors by helping teach ESL or becoming a conversation partner; providing refreshments, transportation, child care, prayer support, encouragement or special music for international ministry; befriending these new neighbors and inviting them to your home for lunch or a visit.
Is God calling you to establish a Literacy Missions Ministry in your community? We can help! Click here for helpful downloads that will guide you through the process. |