Hey! My Name is Nathan Alred. I'm 19 years old. I'm a vounteer Children's director. I have to supply all of my resoucres and have no budget. I teach in a government housing project's community center for low income families.

I would love to use Beach Blast but couldn't afford the price! If anyone has done this VBS, and would consider donating the kit.. IT WOULD BE SOOOO MUCH APPRECIATED! IT WILL BE PUT TO GOOD USE!!!!

Here is more info. (FAQ) about
MY LIFE / MY MINISTRY

Where you have the kids programs --
I have it in a clubroom in the center of an government ( section-8 ) Apartment complex,
and I do them in local parks also...

What is your name, How old are you--
My name is Nathan Alred, and I just turned 19
I started when I was 11.

The kind of children you are reaching --
Kids that do not attend Church, that live in the apartments and surrounding neighborhoods... Many have started going to Church after they have been to my programs.. they never knew "Church could be so much fun" as one told me... and many of them are now Christians!!



we have from 25-60...This kids come from Broken homes, and very poor living conditions... coming to the year-round programs is the only thing they get to do besides school...

Where you are hoping to go to seminary --
-New Orleans Baptist Seminary
I went for a tour their this summer, I went on a mission trip their with my Church in New Orleans, and my Youth Minister took me one day, when the other youth were busy otherwise... I like this one...

How many children you reach --
...since 1996 I have had the privilege
to reach out to about 1,000 or more kids...

What church you are affiliated with or receive support from --
I am an member of Highland Park Baptist Church
Muscle Shoals, Alabama... They do not fund my programs, I raise all the money for them My self, and I have received "love gifts" from individuals, and other area Churches, My Church usually helps me out with the Snacks for my Programs... and I do sometimes.. I have to pay for all my materials, and I do 36 different programs a year, and I repeat some even more… I have to pay for everything I use, and I have to raise all the money myself, I have to really stretch the money sometimes! Also my parent's are divorced. I live with my Mom, she was hit by a car, she was ran over ( several years back ), it messed a lot of stuff up, also, just a couple of years ago, she had a car wreck, she has detriation in her bones, she has fibromolalga (spelling?), and she has cracked knee caps, and tail bone. She still can get around, she is just always in a lot of pain, she is on disability. Because of all of this I basically have to raise all the money for my programs myself. I have to really stretch money! Also I can't work a job, because if I did, it wouldn't leave me anytime for the reason I was working in the first place, I do private tutoring for local High Schools, when I have any time. I do around 36 program a year, and I also repeat some, in different locations.

A little about you --
I'm 19, I'm a freshman in College I wished I were still younger!!
I gave my life to Christ when I was 10 at FBC of Muscle Shoals,
I surrendered to the Children/Youth Ministry January 2002,
I was on a Ski Retreat in North Carolina, and I felt the conviction more than ever to go on right then and there to go ahead and give my life to the ministry, so I can serve God, and use the many talents he has given me.... I should have done it before, but I kept, putting God on "hold" ( Which I should have never done ), and kept saying.. I can do it later.. not now.. But as I was going up on the service we had on the retreat My youth minister said.. I know what your here for... God burdened me with it last night.. I was about to come and get you myself, and pray with you.. but I was just waiting.. and he was right.. and with a youth group the size of ours.. it's hard for a youth minister to really know the needs and prayers of every one we have over 150 in my youth group.. so I really know this is what God wanted... him telling me what he did gave me all the reassurance I needed!!



Like how at such a young age you are moving in such an inspirational direction --
I really don't know... It just happened.. It was just something that was placed on my life at an early age... and It's been going on ever since for almost 7 years now... I love doing it no doubt about that... the Kids I teach love it!! And their parents love me spending time with them... I hate that because of the type of environment I work in... that The kids only are here for less than a year.. and I usually don't get to say goodbye to them, when they move.... and when they move it's all of a sudden.. like all in one day.. I hate that...
but I have learned to get used to it.. I have had kids move back after several years.. and That's always a real treat... And they go on, and on how much they missed it over all the time they were gone... I'm just glad God chose me to serve him here!!!

Address:

Nathan Alred
901 Keller Ln. # I-7
Tuscumbia, AL. 35674


If you can help.. please
e-mail me: NateVBS@msn.com