How Children Are Embracing Christ at Hope Horizon East Palo Alto

A Powerful Moment of Faith at Hope Horizon East Palo Alto 

At Hope Horizon East Palo Alto, we are committed to nurturing the faith of the children in our programs, guiding them to understand the love of Christ and what it means to walk in faith. Recently, during our Wednesday Worship, we witnessed a truly powerful moment of transformation and faith formation. 

As the children gathered for a mini-sermon, Leslie, our Spiritual Director, shared a message about becoming a new creation in Christ. To illustrate this profound truth, she asked the kids to imagine having an old toy they had held onto for a long time. Then, someone gives them a brand-new toy—one that is fresh, exciting, and so much better than the old one. Naturally, they would want to let go of the old toy to embrace the new. 

She explained that following Christ is just like that. Our past is filled with mistakes, sin, and brokenness, but when we give our lives to Christ, we are made new. We don’t have to hold onto the old anymore. 

Taking the moment a step further, Leslie invited the kids to make a personal decision. "If you haven’t given your life to Christ and you want to, stand up," she said, instructing everyone else to keep their eyes closed. One by one, every single child in the room stood up—every single one. Not one remained seated. 

Then, Leslie asked, "Who would like to say the Sinner’s Prayer and give their life to Christ?" Together, as a group, we prayed, surrendering our lives to Jesus. As we finished, the room erupted in applause—giving God the praise for this incredible moment. 

Afterward, as we closed with the Lord’s Prayer, Sarah*, one of the children, turned to a friend and asked, "Why didn’t you stand up?" The response was simple yet profound: "Because I already gave my life to Christ." Without hesitation, Emily*, another child, chimed in, "You can do it again." 

*names changed to protect privacy

Out of the mouths of babes. 

This moment was a reminder of the incredible impact God is making in the lives of these young hearts. Through Hope Horizon, we are not just providing academic and life skills support—we are fostering faith, guiding children to encounter Christ in a real and personal way. 

God is moving in East Palo Alto, and we are honored to be part of His work. 

Looking Ahead: Teaching Middle Schoolers About Idols 

Leslie is now preparing to bring this same kind of transformational moment to our middle school students. She is planning a lesson on "Is God Real?" based on Acts 17, focusing on modern-day idols. She hopes to challenge students to reflect on what might be taking God's place in their lives—whether it's their phones, social media, or other distractions. Just as the elementary students encountered Christ in a powerful way, we pray that our middle schoolers will also experience a moment of surrender, choosing to put God above all else and giving their lives to Him.