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‘Whatap’ an acronym for ‘With Him All Things Are Possible'
In May of 2003 Tina Marie and Steve decided to start a youth bible study in their home. Steve is a Huber Hights Police Officer positioned as the School Resource Officer, splitting his time between the two middle schools in Huber Heights, Ohio. In April of 2003 he was approached by one of his students with questions about Jesus. Officer Brown answered his many questions over the next few weeks and then the student simply said, " You should teach a bible study Officer Brown." Steve came home and asked Tina Marie what she thought about that?
They started in their living room with 4 students, a flip charts and any bibles they could find around the house. Only one of the kids even attended church and none of them owned a bible. Tina Marie and Steve purchased bibles for all of the kids. They chose the 'Extreme Teen Bible' in the New Century version because the kids seemed to be able to relate to it easily. The kids voted that Friday nights would be best night of the week for bible study because they wouldn't have to worry about homework.
Tina Marie and Steve taught the word and fed the children a meal. They never once promoted the bible study, but word of the change in the young peoples lives began to spread. Soon other children where asking Officer Brown if they too could attend bible study at his house. From 2003 to 2010 their home was filled each Friday night with 17 to 27 teenagers from 13 years old to 19 years old. When a child attended 3 times they were presented with their very own 'Extreme Teen Bible' . The kids enjoyed passing their bible around to have all the other kids write a message to them in it. The Brown's have given away over 82 bibles.
The bible study started at 7 pm with Steve playing 3 to 5 christian songs. He took the time to type up the lyrics on his lap top's power point and ran them through the TV so the kids could sing along. Then they got started teaching the meat of the word. In 2007 they started putting the bible studies in a Power Point presentation and running that through the TV so everyone could see it. Around 9:30 pm to 10 pm they started collecting prayer requests from each teenager, which would take at least 45 to 60 minutes total. Bible Study ended with the group holding hands and praying for each other.
After prayer everyone was invited to eat a snack of some kind. On each childs birthday the Brown's were sure to purchase them a birthday cake to make them feel special. The kids loved both of them so much and many nights they would stay visiting until 12 am. Tina Marie and Steve loaded up each of their cars and saw to it that all kids got taken home. That way the parents didn't have to come back out to pick up their kids unless they want too. In fall of 2007 some of the kids started driving which helped out a bunch. But you would never have heard them complaining about taking anyone home. They were just thankful the kids parents let them come to learn more about Jesus and living the Christian life. The parents all knew Officer Brown and Tina Marie so they ddidn't worry about where their child was on Friday nights.
The cool part about the bible study was that there were children from many different types of churches in the area. Tina Marie and Steve were quick to tell anyone attending for the first time that they were not promoting any one church, they were simply promoting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. They have a hunger for the truth of the Word of God that is contagous, as you can see by the number of kids that would attend every Friday night.
They consider themselves blessed to have had 7 years of sowing the Word of God into so many lives each week. God called the Brown's to other ministry areas so the bible study ended in 2010. Most of the children are now young adults attending college or holding down a job. Tina Marie and Steve continue to sow into their lives in other ways. Tina Marie loves that she still gets to faithfully mentor 6 to 8 of the young women. This experience changed Steve and Tina Marie's life forever and they thank God for entrusting these young people to their tender care.
Here are what some the Kids have to say about Bible Study;
Tina Marie,
If only you understood the impact you've had on my life. Every time I need to make a hard decision I think "What would Jesus do? and What would Tina Marie say?" You helped me take the path to getting saved and it's done nothing but good for me. God Bless You! What I like most is how you always know what to say and you have excellent Christian references to fall back on. Thank you so much.
Love,
Kyle H.
Miss Tina Marie,
God has blessed me by bringing you and Officer Brown into my life. I thank you for being so good to me these past four years. I thank you for accepting me for who I am and being someone who I can always talk to. You are such an inspiration to me and I love you. You are sweet, kind, loving, caring and a friend. The list is never ending of things to say about you. Thank You.
Love Always,
Melissa L.
Tina Marie,
You mean so much to me! I love you! You have taught me so much and I know that I still have so much to learn from you. God has used you so much and has changed many lives including mine. I am so happy that I finally got the courage to come to Bible Study. I love you so much and I know that God still has big plans for you!
Love always,
Carolyn K.
Miss Tina Marie,
You are a truely amazing person and I admire your passion for Christ. You are my role model! When I get off track you are there to help me get back in the groove.
X0X0X0X0
Erin R.
Tina Maria,
There is so many things you helped me through. You are like my second Mom. I am so happy I met you and started coming to Bible Study. Thanks for everything.
Shelby H.
Tina Marie,
What is there to say? You are my Mother in Christ - leading me to try and understand Him, to love Him as you do, and to express the urgency to show His love. You've helped me to develop and grow. God will delight in saying, "My good and faithful sevant, well done." Yes TM, well done! I love you so much and thank you for always being so open to me and giving me respect as well.
Love you TM,
Jamica S.
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