Knutson begins ministry for the inner-city

More than 200 people from Lynchburg's inner city read Biblestorieson Treasure Island every Sunday morning

The program, directed by Dr.Robert Knutson,isaimed at Lynchburg's ethnic population.

The SMITE ministry, children's ministry, youth ministry and bus ministry were the first to touch the perimeter of theinner city.

Knutson, LBC missions professor and former missionary toHawaii, was appointed inner city ministries coordinator "They wanted the experience I had gleaned from dealing with multi-ethnic groups in my churchin Hawaii," Knutson said Christian Service students worked as Sunday School teachers, Good

Nadine Shipley shares a Bible story with a group ofinner-city children during a Sunday morning service on Treasure Island. Many studentsparticipated in thenewprogram tofulfill their Christian servicerequirement.

News Club workers, AWAN A leaders and Bible study teachers.

The BusMinistry also seized a major role inthe inner city ministry. Six bus routes were formed to transport adultsandchildren toTreasure Island every Sunday.

Each Saturday, teams ofbus workersknocked on doors, visited Sunday School regulars, and recruited new riders

Puppets, crafts, outdoor teaching and stories challenged the imaginations of the children.

Biblestudiesand songs followed by a preaching service drew theinterest of the adults

Bible memorization and intramural sports were also included in theprogram in an effort to reach the inner city's youth.

According to Knutson, there are 60,000 black churches inAmerica and only 400 black pastors inU.S.seminaries today.

Within 10years,400,000 black pastors will be needed.

"We don't have time to waste," Knutson said "But we canmeet their needs more effectively ifwe minister to them where they are."

-Julie S. Ware