What do a trumpet, hand puppets, and a U-Haul-type trailer have to do with evangelism? Well, for 40 years—involving children in more than ten states—that’s how my dad and mom pioneered a children’s ministry that touched thousands of lives.
Many knew Bill King as “Mr. Bill,” “Uncle Bill,” “Mr. King” or even “the man with the puppets,” but to me he was just Dad. It all started in the early 1960s when my dad was living in Durham, NC. He worked odd jobs to pay the rent, but his heart’s desire was winning others to Christ. He had played the trumpet in school and in the Air Force (including being given the honor of playing taps on the anniversary of D-Day at Normandy twice), but had now found a way to connect that talent with sharing the Good News with children. He had a puppet named Jack who, he claimed, actually played the trumpet while he blew in the air. If you ever attended camp or Bible School with my dad, you’ll remember his famous line while getting Jack out of his case: “You’ll have to excuse me while I give him a hand.” I think the adults always enjoyed that more than the kids.
In this way he caught the attention of children. From there, he tried different methods until he found what worked for him. He and Mom believed that if they could reach the hearts of children, win them to Christ and then plug them into a good local assembly, those children would have a chance to grow up to be fruitful Christians as adults.
My parents packed up the family at the beginning of every June and traveled across the country until the end of August, conducting Vacation Bible Schools and speaking and working at Christian camps. They always went wherever they were asked, from Nebraska to Texas, from Minnesota and Georgia and many places in between.
Dad’s “formula” was simple: teach a Bible character or theme in the first part, have a craft that took five sessions to complete, and then close out with a missionary story that left just enough hanging to bring the children back the next day to see what would happen. Oh, and singing that energized and excited the kids (he loved the fast ones)!
One thing that always impressed me about the end of Bible school each day was that Dad would never finish without a clear presentation of the gospel. After all, that was the point. He would tell the children that if they wanted to know Christ as Savior, to stay in their seats when everyone left and someone would talk with them. There was no pressure applied. When children did stay behind, he would start out by asking them why they had stayed. He was always careful not to lead a child into a false profession of faith; he made sure they understood what they were doing.
I also remember that, every time a child accepted Christ, Dad would remind us that all who had worked together in that effort were a part of it. He never took credit for what the Lord was doing, and always recognized the part my mom and the rest of us played in making Bible school run smoothly.
My sisters and I grew up being a part of a significant ministry in the Southeastern States and never really knew it. It was just what our family did. I remember counseling at Mountain Top Youth Camp during Teen Camp one summer and being overwhelmed by the number of teens who stood up at the campfire and told how they had come to Christ during a Bible School or week of camp where my father had been speaking. Just recently, a friend of mine at our local assembly shared how my dad had pointed her to the Lord.
I have thought about the impact of my parent’s ministry in recent days and pondered over what made it so strategic for so many years. Was it because my parents were such extraordinary people? Were they more gifted than others? Or was it that they simply yielded their lives and gifts and talents to the Lord for His use and were willing simply to go where He led and to do what He wanted?
I have only talked about the ministry Dad had with children, but as many know, he never missed an opportunity to talk about the Lord with anyone. There are many adults who will be in Heaven as well because Dad was obedient to share the gospel. He was an encourager of young men and firm in his appreciation for New Testament principles. He, along with four other families, pioneered and established the work in Wilmington. He was always looking for new places where a New Testament work could be established, fulfilling the instruction of 2 Timothy 4:2, “Preach the word, in season and out of season.”
On September 27, 2006, at age 69, Bill King lost his battle with pulmonary fibrosis. But what did he win (Php. 3:8)? He had lived his whole life for that moment when he would see his Savior’s face and hear the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant…enter thou into the joy of thy lord” (Mt. 25:23).
I can’t help but wonder who will continue this work? Who will carry on this work of reaching others for Christ, of discipling young, and building up the local assembly? We might not be called to such a far-reaching ministry, but we are all called to reach others for Christ. Will you take up the challenge?
If only we were like seeds: where one worker would die, a hundred more would rise up in his place to spread across the land.