ALPHARETTA, Ga. (BP)–A new website that 12-year-old Matthew Chappelear learned about in Royal Ambassadors has brought him closer to a personal relationship with Christ, his mother said.
“He came home from RAs asking, ‘Mom, can I go to kidzplace?’” said Donna Chappelear of Mustang, Okla. “Matthew is a special education student and really loves the electronic world. After visiting the site several times, he is asking more questions and coming closer to understanding his need for Christ.”
Approximately 3,000 people have visited www.kidzplace.org since its release in November 1998.
“From the 3,000, we have about a 1 percent response rate,” said Robert Strickland, editorial coordinator of mission education websites for the North American Mission Board and co-designer of the website.
This translates into nine responses indicating a salvation experience and 14 responses to learn more about Christ in the last four months.
The site is targeted to children in grades 1-6, but visitors range from every age group.
When visitors click on the “Meet Max’s Friend” icon, they see and hear a clear gospel presentation, including Scripture references. Beginning with creation, the narration continues through sin and separation from God, the birth, life, death, resurrection and ascension of Christ, and ends with an explanation of repentance and a relationship with God.
At the end of the presentation, the visitor has an opportunity to respond, either to learn more about Jesus, or to indicate he or she has accepted Christ as savior. All responses are sent to NAMB’s family evangelism unit for follow-up.
A packet of information is sent to the parents, including a letter explaining their child’s visit to kidzplace.org and his or her resulting decision. A children’s tract, “God’s Special Plan,” and a brochure, “The World’s Greatest Adventure,” are also sent to help parent and child understand the decision he or she made, as well as assist their spiritual growth process.
State evangelism leaders receive a copy of the family’s name and address to facilitate placement into a local church.
The Chappelears are members of Chisholm Heights Baptist Church in Mustang and have been sharing Christ with their son all his life.
“The website has reinforced everything we’ve told him, and that he has learned in Sunday school and RAs,” Chappelear said. “We’re excited that something like this is available for our kids.”
