Back in July, Pastor Trevor and Judy Roberts sat down with some students from Crossroads Kids to talk about what they are reading, why they enjoy it, and how it impacts their lives. It was such a fun conversation with each child, as they were so excited to share what they were reading and wanted others to enjoy it as they do. These were some of the questions and responses that we got!

Trevor: Hey Friends, thanks for sitting down with us tonight to talk about some of the books you are reading and how it influences your lives. First off, let’s start with what you are reading now!

Carson: I’m reading Buckshot the River Dog.

Lillyan: I read Cinderella.

Irelyn: I’ve been reading Warriors from the Broken Code Arc.

Sofia: I’m reading A Wrinkle in Time.

Reagan: I’m reading the Harry Potter books.

Austin: I’ve been reading through The Bible, but I also like the Bluey books.

Alex: I’m reading Wings of Fire.

Judah: My favorite book is Wild Kratts.

Trevor: Very cool. Think about this: if you could invite one character to your birthday party, who would it be and why?

Irelyn: I would invite Bristlefrost, because they are such a cute cat, and Spoilers, in the book she dies, so I could bring her back! 

Sofia: I would invite Meg, because she is so brave and cool. 

Carson: I would invite Buckshot; he would make the party so much more fun!

Austin: I would invite Jesus, because he could make the party as big as he wanted! 

Alex: NOT Pearl, because she's a firestarter and would ruin the party, ha ha. But probably Turtle, because he's super funny!

Trevor: Awesome. Next question. Thinking about what you’ve been reading, what do you think the Author is trying to teach you?

Alex: That everyone has a role to play. 

Reagan: That sometimes you have to work together with people you may not get along with to succeed.

Irelyn: That we should care for those more vulnerable than us. 

Sofia: To never give up, even when things are hard. 

Carson: Not to fear and to be adventurous.

Lillyan: That it’s not what’s on the outside that matters.

Trevor: What inspired you to start reading?

Judah: My parents read to me at night, so I wanted to start reading more!

Lillyan: Me too. When I was little, my dad would read to me. Now I can read to my sister.

Reagan: My mom would go to the library and get books every week, and I’ve found a lot of joy in doing that with her.

Irelyn: I started with graphic novels, and eventually started reading these chapter books. I love the adventure it takes me on, and I want to read more!

Austin: I was actually listening to a song called Dusty Bibles, and when I finished, I ended up finding my bible covered in dust. So I picked it up, cleaned it off, and started reading it from the beginning; I’m almost done with Genesis.

Trevor: I have one last question. Does your faith in Jesus ever influence what you choose to read, or have you seen Jesus come out in the books you’ve read?

Reagan: Not initially, but I did start to see the themes. Like when Harry was planning to sacrifice himself for his friends and to save the world. That reminded me of what Jesus did.

Alex: I also have seen the themes change. Like in my book, the villain is trying to break people apart and control Pearl's life, but Pearl helps break that curse and is allowed to live freely because she's not controlled by the evil one. 

Sofia: Yes, Meg goes out into the scary world to save her dad, even though it was the hard thing to do. 

Austin: Jesus did help me become more inspired to read the bible more, so that I could become closer to him. I felt that especially after I went to camp this summer. 

Irelyn: Kind of, that we need to come together and work together and care for those who are vulnerable. 

Our children are so smart; each has had fantastic influences in their lives that have encouraged them to take up reading outside of their normal school duties. One of the challenges that Pastor Trevor has given them since he arrived was to start bringing their physical Bibles to church. He passes out fruit snacks when they gather to those who have brought their Bibles and has passed out over a dozen new Bibles to kids who did not own one. 

Because of this, each child has started to learn how to open their bible to the passages they read each week, and many, like Austin, have started reading their Bibles at home, growing in their faith every day! Be praying for our children and their families as they continue to deepen their faith and practice showing absolutely everyone that God is good.