Protecting the Precious

"Then little children were brought to Him that He might put His hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, 'Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.'” - Matthew 19:13-14

I think it was her innocent giggle that first melted my heart. I was told she was special, and we were certainly an unlikely pair. She was beautiful; an athlete and competing to win the top prize in her event. I was a frat rat doing some college community service when we met. Her smile lit up the stadium, and when I excitedly hugged her after her event, she giggled again. You see, she was my community service. She was competing in the Special Olympics, and I was her Hugger (an actual title back then). I was her encourager, a cheerleader of one for one, and on that day, her biggest fan. That was the first and last time I ever saw her, but her smile makes me smile to this very day.

As naïve as it sounds, I had never heard of child abuse as a college kid. Never gave much thought to having kids crawl up on my lap or being alone in a room with a teen. I couldn’t even fathom sexual child abuse. Today, as an adult, Christian leader, writer, researcher and former pastor counselor, I know the tragic truth. The sexual abuse of children, teens and those with special needs is an evil epidemic in the Christian community. The rampant sexual abuse in the Catholic church, highlighted in the media, and movies like Spotlight, has victimized the innocent in my denomination too. Secular and faith-based media alike have had a field day justifiably shining the spotlight on sexual abuse in too many Southern Baptist churches.

As a former kindergarten & 1st-grade Sunday school teacher, youth minister and father of little girls (who are now all grown up, married and moved away), I have spent most of my life loving children and keeping them safe. Unlike my Lord, however, I’m neither omnipotent nor omnipresent. Tragically we live in a sick and dark world where children are victims of sick and dark individuals. Although I can’t be everywhere, I can be part of a powerful group committed to abuse prevention, and so can you.

Last month the Dover Baptist Association launched a child & youth abuse prevention initiative. We invited ministers, and children & youth ministry leaders to “Coffee, Carbs & Kids,” a child safeguard webinar presented by the Evangelical Council for Abuse Prevention (ECAP). On Saturday, April 26, immediately following our Semi-Annual Meeting, we will host a Child Abuse Prevention Lunch & Learn and begin a partnership with ECAP. If you are a ministry leader faithfully charged with the care and protection of minors or special needs adults, I strongly encourage you to attend. There’s no cost except the cost of missing out on current data, laws and essentials for an effective child abuse prevention policy & program.

Every time I look at that picture of this beautiful special child and me, I wonder how she’s doing. I hope she’s well and very happy. I pray her vulnerability was never taken advantage of by those she trusted. I hope a hundred years from now, when we’re both in Heaven, she finds me, and I get to hear that giggle again. Perhaps it’s just wishful thinking, but I’d love for her to be my Heavenly Hugger. I’ve always had this belief that those with special needs should have a higher rank in Heaven. One thing I do know: children and those with special needs are safe in Heaven. They’re restored and protected, even those who suffered the unimaginable while on earth. I also know that while I’m on earth, my Lord Jesus has called me, and you, to love the Lord by protecting the precious. Please join me.

God bless,

Arnold Win Davis

Executive Director of Missions