BOLIVAR — Al Lackey, president of Kids Alive International, visited the Southwest Baptist University campus on Sept. 22. Kids Alive is a global ministry that serves at 67 sites in 18 countries with a focus of rescuing orphaned, abandoned and at-risk children. Lackey has served as the organization’s president since 1996.
Lackey spoke to SBU students in the 10 a.m. chapel service about the ministry of Kids Alive and why they do what they do. With an estimated 143 million children worldwide sleeping on the streets each night and 24,000 children under age 5 dying daily from preventable causes, Lackey argued that there is a strong need for Christians to do what they can to make a difference and be God’s hands and feet to the needy.
After sharing his own story of how God taught him to see the needs around him, Lackey challenged students to consider their own callings to serve. Quoting Matthew 25:31-40, Lackey encouraged students to see Jesus in those around them because to serve others is to serve Jesus Himself.
“It is God’s nature through us that drives us to give His love and hope to those without hope,” Lackey said.
Stating that there are more than 2,000 Scripture verses that deal with this issue, Lackey urged students to “remember the poor.”
“We can make a difference if the body of Christ gets excited about the Jesus that lives in them,” Lackey said in his challenge to the students. “This college could have an impact that would literally change this community and draw attention to God.”
After chapel, Lackey spent time visiting with students individually about ways to get connected with Kids Alive including internship opportunities. Lackey also spoke in Dr. Christine Saladino’s class, “Integrating Faith and Social Work,” about how the social work profession is used in the Kids Alive ministry.