Christian boy band The 3 Heath Brothers partners with Keys for Kids to perform concerts in public schools. They also offer devotionals for children who want them. More about that here.

The band recently received backlash following an event in October in Kentucky. “There was one person who was very upset about the fact that The 3 Heath Brothers were at their school,” Keys for Kids’ Greg Yoder says.

“They (the parents) didn’t want to have to talk about religion to their child this particular day, and so that person complained to the Freedom From Religion Foundation. The Freedom From Religion Foundation apparently didn’t like that either, and so they sent a letter and wrote an article.”

Listen to the complete discussion about this issue here.

Previous concerns

The Kentucky case follows a critique earlier this year from parents in North Carolina. “We’re being attacked for sharing good,” Yoder says.

“When you hear schools indoctrinating our kids about LGBTQ or abortion or whatever issue that we’re facing, and then we bring in truth – I consider that a badge of honor to be attacked by evil.”

The 3 Heath Brothers only perform at public schools by invitation, so please pray for encouragement.

“It’s not easy to be attacked, especially as young 20-somethings. This is kind of the first time that they’ve been in the crosshairs,” Yoder says.

(Photo courtesy of Keys for Kids)

Christmas brings new opportunities

Pray also that children and young people will discover Jesus through an upcoming Christmas tour. Yoder says, “Many young people are going to be hearing these songs, maybe hearing Jesus for the first time.”

If you’re reading this in West Michigan, save the date! A concert is scheduled for December 18. Find tickets and more information here.

“We’re actually looking for Christian businesses to sponsor the concert to create a match for that evening, because we want to raise money for our public-school outreach,” Yoder says.

“The 3 Heath Brothers don’t charge the schools any money to come in and do these things, but it costs about $3,000 per school once you factor in travel, the expenses of our books, and [other related costs.] We’d like to raise $30,000 at the concert in West Michigan, and maybe even other concerts around the country as well.”

Header image courtesy of The 3 Heath Brothers. 

“This is another story: how brutal Taliban is in Afghanistan and how they are limiting access to human’s basic needs in Afghanistan.” 

Since the Taliban’s takeover in 2021, Afghan citizens have battled a challenging political and economic landscape, marked by limited or restricted access to rights, education, and even food and water. 

The Taliban cited concerns over pornography access as the reason behind the most recent internet blackout.

“However, many observers believe the move is less about morality and more about information control and isolation,” Nehemiah says. 

In Afghanistan’s most rural areas, some villages are regularly without internet or mobile network access. Between existing access challenges and imposed shutdowns, Nehemiah says universal connectivity across the nation remains elusive.

“Even though the media is claiming that the internet has been restored in Afghanistan, still there are many cities with no internet,” he says. 

He points out that pastors and underground leaders rely on digital communication. 

“Messaging apps, online trainings, coordination with overseas partners: this blackout tries to smear these lifelines.”

But shackled internet cannot thwart the purposes of the Lord. Nehemiah says blackouts are an opportunity for people to ramp up use of solar-powered audio players distributed by FMI and Keys for Kids. Each device contains pre-downloaded Scripture and devotional content, which means sunshine, rather than wifi, is its fuel. 

“This device does not require any internet. It is built-in devotional tools in their own language,” Nehemiah says.  

He reminds us that the church is not called to wallow in darkness but to stand forth in light. 

Please pray for the people of Afghanistan. Pray that they will hear, believe, and trust in the Word of the Lord, and pray that any ongoing or forthcoming Taliban restrictions will be an opportunity to seek Him more heartily. 

For any areas still affected by the shutdown, please pray for restoration of access, and continue to ask for the Lord’s favor and protection as FMI and partners distribute resources. 

Nehemiah reminds us that one kind of connection is sure:

“Spiritual communication – prayer, scripture, fellowship – that does not require any signals and wires,” he says.  

All images used in this article by courtesy of Pixabay

Not sure where to start? Today, Keys for Kids’ Greg Yoder highlights three essential truths every Christian parent wants their kids to know.

First and foremost, “You have to know Jesus,” Yoder says. “Jesus Christ is the only way of salvation.

“It’s not about being good; you can’t dress a certain way; you can’t even say a certain thing. It’s by grace alone, through faith alone, through Christ alone, that we’re saved.”

Secondly, the Bible is an accurate and trustworthy source. “We know it’s true because there have been, I can’t even tell you how many prophecies, and so far, all of them have come true, bar none,” Yoder says.

The Bible provides direction, hope, and wisdom — and when parents model their faith around it, kids see a faith that’s real.

“I want to encourage you with the fact that my grandson received his first devotional EXACTLY when he needed it. … What you saw as a delay was PERFECT TIMING in our lives. Thank you, and may God continue to bless you in this ministry.”
(Photo, caption courtesy of Keys for Kids)

Finally, “Living for Christ isn’t a burden,” Yoder says. “Jesus said in John 10, ‘I have come that you will have life to the full.’”

Faith isn’t about rule-following — it’s about joy, purpose, and freedom in Christ. That’s what Keys for Kids devotionals aim to teach: that knowing Jesus brings life and happiness. Request yours here.

“These are the essentials of living a godly life, and Keys for Kids Ministries, we’re here to give tools to parents to help guide them in that discipleship process with their kids,” Yoder says.

Discipleship opportunities

This month, Keys for Kids is encouraging families to “redeem Halloween.” Instead of just handing out candy, Yoder suggests taking this opportunity to introduce young visitors to Christ.

“What are we going to do with many of these kids who are coming to our door?” he asks.

“Will we give them life through Jesus through a Keys for Kids devotional, or candy that will fade away?”

Consider giving young visitors a harvest-themed Keys for Kids devotional. Request yours here. Last year, a young boy trick-or-treater picked up one of the booklets and told his grandmother, “This looks important!”

Looking ahead, Keys for Kids is seeing amazing doors open — including partnerships that bring devotionals into public schools through The Three Heath Brothers. Over 20,000 devotionals have already been distributed to students.

But that growth comes with challenges. Yoder encourages believers to pray for wisdom and provision as new ministry opportunities arise.

Header and story images courtesy of Keys for Kids. 

Greg Yoder says, “Since our partnership with Mission Eurasia, we’ve been actually able to distribute 600,000 copies of Keys for Kids and Unlocked into war-torn regions, not only Ukraine, but surrounding countries as well.”

Yet, the need is immense.

Children endure severe trauma, facing the war while growing up and coping with fear and loss. This brings existential questions that need help answering.

“How do I express my feelings? How do I express the fact that I’ve lost every family member? How do I express in my heart that I don’t have any hope, and that there is no hope and I don’t know where to turn?” says Yoder.

Representative photo of Kelly Sikkema via Unsplash

He recalls a story of a young, orphaned girl who wouldn’t speak. As she drew pictures, it became clear why.

“Little girl drew a picture of a dad figure, a mom figure, a couple of siblings, a house, an animal, and then one by one began crossing them off, because all of them had died.”

“That’s what they’re dealing with right now,” concludes Yoder, “and it’s on all phases of the spectrum, from young children all the way to adults, because even some of the adults don’t know how to express what they’ve seen, the trauma that they’ve experienced in this horrible tragedy of war.”

With stories like these piling up, the need for the Gospel is urgent. Keys for Kids materials are designed to meet that need!

Yoder describes, “What Keys for Kids Ministries does through our devotionals is it points kids to that they need a Savior to save them from their sins, and they can have a relationship with Jesus Christ.”

It gives them Someone and something to hope in, because their hope is not in this world — it’s in Christ, in Him rescuing them, saving, and drawing into relationship with Him.

Keys for Kids Ministries‘ partners in Ukraine have requested one million devotionals to share God’s Word! Join them in this goal.

Pray also for sustainable peace in Ukraine, and for provision in the years of restoration — physical, spiritual, emotional, and psychological.

Header photo courtesy of Hans via Unsplash.

“Hearing these statistics that more people are claiming faith is a great thing. Now the question is, what will they do with that?” Keys for Kids’ Greg Yoder says.

“A lot of people can say [they] are followers of Jesus, but if you don’t read or listen to the Bible, how are you going to know the Jesus that you are serving?”

(Photo Courtesy Keys for Kids via Facebook)

Discipleship is a critical part of the Christian life. “It’s almost catastrophic to lead someone to Jesus and not follow up with discipleship,” Yoder says.

“Frankly, it’s on the churches because we haven’t been adamant about discipleship. It’s been, ‘Let’s get them saved, and then we’ll wipe our hands and move on to the next one.’”

Keys for Kids provides free devotionals and an app to support family devotions, making discipleship more accessible. More about that here.

“We want to make sure that we’re teaching them the truth that can only be found in God’s Word, in Christ alone,” Yoder says.

According to a 2023 study, over 90 percent of parents have no plan for their kids’ spiritual development. “There is a craving, a hunger for kids to know spiritual things,” Yoder says.

“We know kids are going to find some kind of spiritual truth. It might not be the truth that we know in Scripture.”

Request your free Keys for Kids devotional today.

“We just hope we’re a conduit to help these young people be apologists and ready to dive into their faith,” Yoder says.

Header and story images courtesy of Keys for Kids. 

Torrential weekend rain carried into Monday and Tuesday, slowing recovery efforts. More than 130 lives have been lost after devastating floods swept through the Texas Hill Country starting on the Fourth of July. Dozens of people are still missing.

Keys for Kids’ Greg Yoder says, “A ton of Christian camps were affected by the flooding. It hits us right where we live. This is one of the core parts of who we are.”

(Photo courtesy of Keys for Kids)

Through its Keys for Camps program, Keys for Kids provides partnering Christian camps with year-round devotionals and follow-up material. More about that here.

“We’re a part of the Christian Camp and Conference Association, and we have (partnering) camps all over the country. I don’t believe we had any camps affected in this region [of Texas],” Yoder says.

“However, we have talked to many of these [camp directors] and interacted with them at some of the conferences we attend.”

Trust despite tragedy

The Texas flooding tragedy is prompting many kids — and adults — to wrestle with their faith. Yoder sees this as a teachable moment for parents. “This could be a great opportunity to help them understand that God is in control,” he says.

“We have to remember that God is sovereign, even over this.”

As recovery efforts keep the disaster in national headlines and tragic tales about flood victims emerge, some children may fear a disaster at their own summer camp. But object lessons can help turn that fear into faith.

“We don’t know what the future holds; we all have different roads,” Yoder says. “Our roads may be paved smoothly. Some of our roads may be full of potholes and even washouts, but we can’t be in fear.”

A free online devotional from Keys for Kids teaches kids how to trust God.

“Fear is an issue that kids deal with all the time, so we’ve come out with a devotional called ‘Conquering Fear.’ It’s one of the most downloaded kids’ devotionals on YouVersion today,” Yoder says.

Header image depicts the flooding of the Guadalupe River near Kerrville, Texas. Photo taken on July 5, 2025. (Wikimedia Commons)

As of Tuesday, at least 109 people are known to have lost their lives, too many of them children. According to the state government, 161 people remain missing. 

The Christian, all-girls Camp Mystic was among those hardest hit, with 27 campers and counselors lost and six remaining missing as of Tuesday. 

“Can you imagine being a camp director, even along the river here, being used to hearing about flash flooding, being used to hearing about raining and so forth, and knowing that you’re entrusted with [all these] campers?” says Greg Yoder with Keys for Kids Ministries. “Our hearts go out to them.”

Keys for Kids works with camps across Texas and the United States as part of the Christian Camp and Conference Association. They provide devotional materials that camp directors can use with their own branding to help kids grow in their faith during and after camp.

Quarterly devotionals for teens and kids (Photo courtesy of Keys for Kids Ministries)

“Every quarter for the rest of the year, these campers will receive Keys for Kids [devotionals] in the mail with a custom cover from their camp,” Yoder explains. 

The Keys for Kids team has interacted with people from Texas camps at different conferences they attend. “So it hits us right where we live,” Yoder says. 

Ways to pray

Pray for first responders. “If you go through some of these flooding situations and you’re going up against debris, you’re going to get injured,” says Yoder. 

Pray for kids who survived the disaster and are probably asking, “Why did God spare me and not my friend?” 

Pray for the families grieving over their losses. 

Then, ask how you can help kids in your life process this tragedy. 

“As adults, what is [our] responsibility as we look at this whole situation from the outside in, in helping the kids in our lives… understand that God is a good God even in this scenario, by pointing them to various portions of Scripture?” says Yoder. 

“Isaiah 57 is the perfect one that I tend to go to because sometimes I don’t have answers, I don’t understand. Sometimes I wonder why. Knowing that God has it all figured out and that it’s His plan A and not plan B, that really is helpful for me.

“Talking it all through and really helping our families be engaged in a situation helps us to be more connected and [helps] them understand the gospel message, actually.”

Header photo: Response to the floods in Central Texas, July 2025 (By wckitchen – via Flickr and Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0)

“It’s all political. They claim not to be terrorists, and yet they’re terrorists,” Keys for Kids’ Greg Yoder says.

“When you come down heavy on villages because they don’t agree with you religiously, that’s terrorism, and that’s happening throughout Afghanistan.”

The Taliban government continues to suppress anything that doesn’t align with its ideology. Recently, officials raided a production facility run by Keys for Kids partners.

Gospel worker reviews material before recording in the studio.
(Photo courtesy of Keys for Kids)

“The good news was everybody who was supposed to be recording was out for dinner, and everything they were working on had been backed up,” Yoder says.

“The people there, security, etc., warned the Christians not to return. But the issue is now, where do we go to resume the production?”

Around 43 percent of Afghanistan’s 41.5 million people are children under the age of 14. Keys for Kids and FMI are introducing them to the hope only Christ can offer.

Believers are about 25 percent done translating Keys for Kids resources into Dari, one of Afghanistan’s two primary dialects. They’re also working on a Pashto translation, and these materials are being loaded onto Keys for Kids Storytellers.

“Through these solar-powered MP3 players, we have a Bible in audio, but then also these Keys for Kids stories that introduce biblical truth and how to apply that biblical truth to everyday life,” Yoder says.

“It brings in Bible verses to help them understand who Jesus is. In the Islamic faith, Jesus is known as the only perfect Prophet, even though we know he was the Son of God. Teaching that concept is very, very critical,” he continues.

“There’s no hope in Islam. They believe they have to do certain things to earn their salvation, and there are no guarantees. But we talk about the free gift of salvation to all who believe.”

Despite growing pressure, hope remains strong. Kids — and adults — are finding comfort in the Gospel.

“Even the simplistic form of our theology of who Jesus is resonates with adults,” Yoder says. “We just got word that 12 churches have been planted in Afghanistan since the Keys for Kids Storytellers have been distributed by our partners, FMI.”

There’s still much work to do. Consider partnering with Keys for Kids to help bring God’s Word to Afghanistan. “There are 15,000 Keys for Kids Storytellers in Pakistan and Afghanistan, and it’s just a drop in the bucket of what’s needed,” Yoder says.

Header and story images courtesy of Keys for Kids. 

According to the United Nations, more than one in six children globally live in war zones, and millions face starvation in conflict hot spots. Last year, the UN verified 32,990 grave violations against children — the highest number ever recorded.

“You can’t help but think, ‘Oh, my word. This is huge, and these aren’t just numbers. These are sons and daughters,’” says Greg Yoder with Keys for Kids.

Keys for Kids produces free devotionals for children and young adults, some of which help young readers process trauma. These devotionals focus on what the ministry calls “tough topics.”

(Photo courtesy of Keys for Kids)

“It might be a war-like situation. It may be an earthquake or some other natural disaster, where there was trauma throughout their community, or maybe it was through the loss of a loved one,” Yoder explains.

Each story is rooted in Scripture and points children toward healing and hope in Jesus.

The impact is already visible in war-torn Ukraine. “A young boy was reading about the peace that passes all understanding while he is in the basement being attacked by drones and missiles, yet he found hope in Jesus Christ alone because that’s what Scripture provided for him,” Yoder shares.

However, the need is far greater than the current supply. “One of the things we’re struggling with right now in hard-hit places like Ukraine is that we don’t have any more resources in our warehouses,” says Yoder.

“We don’t have anything to give these hurting kids.”

Here’s how you can help. Pray for Keys for Kids as they bring the hope of Christ to children in desperate need.

“Pray that God will provide in the most miraculous ways financially so that we can provide the hope needed in many of these places,” Yoder requests.

Header image is a representative stock photo courtesy of Duncan Kidd/Unsplash.

It’s a familiar issue for Keys for Kids. “Eighty percent of people around the world are oral learners, so this is not something new and unique,” Keys for Kids’ Greg Yoder says.

“I think it’s just being precipitated by more and more young people using technology in a way that prevents them or keeps them from reading.”

Keys for Kids produces daily devotionals for children and young adults. Summer reading programs for both age groups began on June 1. More about that here.

“We want to encourage young people to read. And not just to read our devotionals. We want them to be reading God’s Word,” Yoder says.

“If you do this for about two weeks, you’re creating a habit, and we want to create a habit where young people [are] in God’s Word every single day. If we can encourage that by giving them a small prize, we know that kids will continue to do it even after the contest ends.”

June prizes
(Photo courtesy of Keys for Kids)

It’s not too late to join! Check out the prizes and get more details here.

“Even though it started on June 1, you can still sign up and earn some cool prizes as the summer goes on, all the way through the end of August,” Yoder says.

Pray that reading the Bible daily becomes a new lifelong habit for kids and teens involved in the program. Pray young people will fall deeply in love with Jesus as they read His Word.

“Our kids are our first mission field, not only our kids but the kids in our lives. Nearly 70 percent of all people who come to faith in Jesus Christ do so before their 14th birthday,” Yoder says.

Header and story images courtesy of Keys for Kids.