Since coming to preach in Mayfield, Kentucky I have been involved with the New Pathways for Children ministry. The work began in 1990 and has grown through the sacrifices of Christians in this region. The facility has undergone a renewal in the last three years through the leadership fo Glen and Ricky Burse. Their number of children served fluctuates, but over the last 10 years of my time here they have serve around 25 – 40 teen boys and girls. They have a classroom and teacher at the boy’s campus where students attend school. The ministry recently completed, through generous donations, a new girls’ home.
New Pathways has worked with the state of Kentucky in receiving placement of children and are paid based upon these children. The children’s home has been able to continue to share Jesus with these students and take them to church. There has been some restrictions, but overall the Christ-based mission of the ministry has not be inhibited. I personally have taken my family and conducted devotionals in the boys home for 10 years. Seven Oaks church hosts the 2nd Tuesday night of the month devotional. The boys love to sing and listen attentively to the lesson. Many boys and girls have been converted to Christ through the years.
In the last month the state of Kentucky, in response to a court ruling stemming from a lawsuit filed by the ACLU, incorporated significant religious changes into their contract. Here are some of the quotes from the contract which the board of directors unanimously rejected.
- “The agency shall not:
- Require, coerce or pressure any child in any manner to attend religious services or instruction or to otherwise engage in or be present at any activity or programming that has religious content;
- Impose any form of punishment or benefit based on a child’s voluntary decision as to whether to participate in or attend any religious service or instruction or any other activity or programing that has religious content.
- Proselytize any child in any religious beliefs.
- Require any child to pray or to participate in any form of prayer, or to attend any form of prayer that is organized, led, or otherwise sponsored or promoted by the Agency, or
- Place any religious symbols or other religious articles in any child’s private room or automatically provide religious texts or materials to any child, unless requested by the child . . . .” (p. 21)
- The agency was also required to “provide each child in its care with opportunities to practice the religious belief and faith of the child’s individual or family religious affiliation.” This provision went on to state they had to provide transportations to different house of worship and also “provide or facilitate for children not wishing to attend any offered religious services or activity” at the same time “an appropriate, non-religous alternative activity comparable in terms of general attractiveness to children.” (p. 21-22).
The state is transferring the existing children to new facilities by the end of July. Ricky Burse the director of New Pathways told me that the facility is in the process of transitioning into a smaller ministry of providing for needy children without government aid or restrictions. The ministry has set as its goal to initially begin with 6 boys and 6 girls. They plan on finding children through social service agencies, the church, and other avenues to serve.
Some Reflection
- This reflects the tide of our culture. The secularization of our culture is incredible and it is likely going to continue to affect the way churches and ministries do work.
- This illustrates the cultural trend of not valuing the role of God, moral truth, and Biblical guidance. Our country is moving farther into sin because a respect and appreciation for God’s Word as a foundation for building character, peace, and stability is not had by most. Despite the product and lives touched by a facility like New Pathways because of their Christian convictions, the government was asking them to take care of troubled kids who have no foundational life anchor nor moral compass without being able to give them one in the form of Jesus Christ and His Word. The more the world wants to separate God from themselves the more they lose all that God offers and that is a tremendously high price to pay! They fail to see the benefits that our society has long recognized in religious instruction and Biblical knowledge. In the end this creates an amoral society that looks similar to the days of the judges when “everyone did what was right in his own eyes.”
- The Lord is still on His throne and our goal is to give Him glory! New Pathways has been struggling with this tension of government requirements for years, with this latest decision to stand firm upon their convictions despite the unknown future, they give an example of faith. It is difficult because children must leave their placement at New Pathways, employees will lose their jobs, and the fiscal situation will be daunting. But when we stand on our convictions and seek to give God the glory then we are doing right! Ricky Burse expressed to me that they believe the Lord will lead them into a new ministry of caring for kids in ways that will allow them to be powerful in their work for Christ. After all, nothing really happens for God’s people until God’s people step out in faith. So rather than be downtrodden that thousands of dollars and many sacrifices have gone into this work only to see it be stopped by government restrictions, Christians throughout the area must see the potential of this facility and the good that can still be done for children. I stand with them in support and prayer. God can do great things with this work!
You can learn more about New Pathways for Children and offer your financial support. Their website is www.npfc.net. Please pray for them during this transition.
2 comments
Josh, This is a very accurate report on the situation at NPFC, and you have made some very good points. Good Job!
Andrew Johnson, a former director at New Pathways made these comments to me on Facebook and gave me permission to post here. They add to the article.
This is very sad and disheartening. Unfortunately, it is not surprising. At some point in time the government, as well as organizations like the ACLU, have to come to the realization that service related non-profits can only thrive through affiliation with religious entities. And, those religious entities want and deserve the right to incorporate their beliefs and teaching into their helping of others. Lawsuits and changes such as this do nothing to help those being served and only diminish the availability of resources. I’ll be very surprised if NPFC is the only agency in KY to make changes such as this.
The ruling is from a lawsuit filed against Kentucky Baptist Homes (now Sunrise Children’s Services). I used to work for them, and to their credit, they fought this tooth and nail. The ACLU wants their cake and to eat it too. The only solution to what they want is to have the government run all social services. And, I think everyone can agree that that is not the best solution (see also the current goings on at the VA). I appreciate your bringing this to light. I didn’t know the lawsuit had finally been settled.