Junior High Adventures in Ministry (JAM) is a summer evangelism event run by the Youth and Family Ministry program at Cairn. Each year, middle school students come to campus for evangelism training and to share their faith with younger children at Cairn’s annual Kids’ Day.
This year on May 14–15, 2016, a record number of 452 children and 400 youth group students came from dozens of churches and ministries in PA, NJ, NY, and VA. By lunchtime on Saturday, over 1000 individuals had flocked to campus for Kids’ Day, including children, middle schoolers, Cairn students and staff, Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF) trainers, and volunteers from TD Bank.
The children were paired up with a middle school student and enjoyed various activities including inflatables, games, arts and crafts, bingo, a petting zoo, and a puppet show. They also heard a message from alumnus Rev. Bill Curry from Cornerstone Community Church.
“The kids had a wonderful time,” says Dr. Matt McAlack, director of Cairn’s Youth and Family Ministry program. “Over 60 children placed their trust in Christ for the first time after hearing a clear explanation of the gospel by their middle school buddies.”
The impact that JAM has been making over the years has been a testament of God’s faithfulness. “One children’s group in West Philadelphia told us that because of the contacts they made at JAM, they were able to begin a new ministry in a school in their area,” Dr. McAlack shares. “One of our JAM Cairn team members came as a child to Kids’ Day with her church in Kensington,” he adds. “She is now attending Cairn!”
There are countless other stories of how JAM has made an impact on the lives of the children, as well as on the youth students and leaders. Cairn University is honored to host an event that equips middle school students to share their faith and to provide an opportunity for churches and ministries to come together to be encouraged by the speaker, fellowship with one another, and take part in the journey of a child’s new faith.
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