A Message from Dr. Carson

Does this verse inspire you as much as it does me? When I think of what God is saying here -- What you do for the least of mankind, you do for Me -- I see something I'd otherwise miss. I see the fingerprint of God on everyone I meet. I look at the homeless man standing with his sign on the corner of the highway exit, and I see the face of God. I watch the young mother struggling with her toddler at the grocery store, and I see the hands of God. I look into the eyes of the children at our grade school in Nairobi, and I see the eyes of Jesus staring back at me.

The Word of God tells us in Ephesians 2:10 that we are His workmanship, His masterpieces. Each one of us is a divinely created work of art, a reflection of the thoughts of a master Creator. From the woman wearing Louboutin stilettos and carrying a Gucci bag to the woman covered in sweat, hauling water from a well five miles away, God's masterful design is present for those who dare to see. The man signing his name on a $50,000 bonus check is no more of a masterpiece than the man signing his name on the child support check his children desperately need. The high school valedictorian and the high school dropout are equally the workmanship of a perfect God.

Is this how you see those around you? Do you see them as an expression of the divine or with superficial eyes? How do you see yourself? Do you gaze in the mirror and find yourself lacking? Or do you see a work progressing from glory to glory? When God gazes upon you, He sees His intent and purpose. He sees the expression of His love uniquely crafted and designed for humanity to enjoy. Praise God that He sees beyond our flaws, fumbles, and failures! Isn't it time that we adopt His view of us -- and of those around us?

This past month, I had the pleasure of visiting the Carson Academy of Kingdom Excellence. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the academy, your mind can easily envision a beautiful campus with well-groomed children from privileged families performing sports and classroom activities. But this school is much more unique than that. This school is located in the slums of Nairobi, Kenya. Its campus, while newly renovated, is not surrounded by gates and well-trimmed hedges. The children -- nearly 500 of them -- are from some of the most disadvantaged families of this region. These children face poor nutrition and healthcare and a lack of education on a daily basis. Future success isn't a goal of those who struggle for basic survival in the now.

The beauty of the Carson Academy of Kingdom Excellence is that it recognizes God in each of the children it serves. It gives each child a fighting chance by providing them with the opportunity to acquire a good education, proper nutrition, and quality healthcare. Our teachers and staff uplift these precious ones with the love of Jesus Christ. Regardless of family connections and past history, they reach out to each child with confidence, knowing that anyone given proper support and opportunity can become a healthy, productive, law-abiding citizen who will ultimately contribute to the well-being of their community.

My heart's desire through our work in Nairobi is to give even more children the opportunity to lift themselves and their families from the abject poverty of the slums through the skills they will learn at the academy. With no intervention, many will not make it to their teen years. Those who do will live in poverty for the rest of their lives. I'm asking you to imagine looking into the eyes of the children of the Nairobi slums today -- look into the eyes of God -- and remember that whatever you do for the least of these, you have done for Him.

Today, you have the opportunity to do something incredible. You can reach not just one individual, but their entire family. You can change the life of not just one child, but potentially an entire generation, an entire nation! Who knows if the child you help today will not become the pastor, prophet, or teacher of tomorrow! Our children are bursting with potential. But they need you to be bursting with faith in action, with Kingdom power, to help redirect the course of their lives.

I want to challenge you to partner with us today. God has put seed in your hand. I don't know what you're capable of doing, but God knows, and He has promised to reward you for your generosity to those less fortunate than yourself. If you're able to give $10 or $20 a month, give it. If you are able to give $100 or $200 a month, be obedient and give it. The seed was not put in your hands for you to hold onto it. Nothing good can come from a seed until it's planted in fertile soil. You know this ministry is good ground. Sow into it, and a harvest is sure to result!

For the seed you faithfully sow, I will send you a bi-annual report and newsletter so you can see for yourself the harvest that your seed is bringing forth. I'll extend to you the opportunity to participate in future partner trips to Nairobi, where you can meet the children face-to-face, or in other missions outreaches we do around the world.

There is no greater feeling than to know that you have made a difference in the life of a child.Thank you in advance for partnering with me.

Let's change the world together,

Dr. Dana Carson