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Meet the Authors
“God is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us.” Ephesians 3:20
Throughout their 40 years of marriage, Mike and Annette Childress always had a heart for children. Annette, who had a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, touched countless young lives during her 30 years of service as an elementary teacher and librarian.
Mike, an accomplished pen and ink artist, retired in 2007 after a successful 38-year career as the manager of public affairs for a large chemical company. He was a great man of faith and an adored Sunday School teacher.
Together they taught children in church for over 35 years. For 20 years, they successfully used a curriculum written by Annette to teach a new Christian class to hundreds of new believers ages 4-11.
In 2009, they were led by God to start a Christian coloring book ministry, Reaching Kids 4 Christ. Through the years, God has greatly blessed the ministry and has used the simple message in the books to help reach over 237,000 children in 35 countries around the world for Christ. It has been amazing to see how God has used Reaching Kids 4 Christ to make a difference for all eternity in the lives of children and adults in some of the most remote areas of the world!
In Memorium
On August 31, 2018, after a valiant year-long battle with glioblastoma brain cancer, Mike Childress took his last breath on earth and entered into the presence of God. Mike’s positive attitude, courage, and complete faith in God were an inspiration to all who knew him.
In May of 2022, Annette Childress went Home to be with her Lord and Savior. If you knew Annette, you know she was eager to see Jesus and eventually, welcome to Heaven all the many children who were impacted by the RK4C ministry.
Honoring Our Founders
with FREE BOOKS
In May of 2022, Annette Childress went Home to be with her Lord and Savior. Her husband and co-founder of Reaching Kids 4 Christ preceded her to Heaven in 2018.
As Annette’s earthly time grew short, she spent her energy on ensuring that RK4C would continue to thrive. She entrusted the ministry to long-time Board member, Mrs. Joy Gillen, who is now the Executive Director of RK4C.
With their passing, the RK4C Board Members discussed ways we could honor their commitment for children to hear the Gospel of Christ. There was nothing more important to them.
As a result, and in celebration of Mike and Annette’s faithful service, the RK4C board has announced that at this time, all resources that are currently available will be given free of charge to organized ministries, such as churches and mission organizations.
Terms of Free Books
- Books are limited in supply to those already printed in the current languages available.
- Free books are available to organized ministries, such as churches and mission organizations.
- The RK4C Board asks that we be given the nature of the materials’ use and if possible, photographs of the actual distribution for use on our website and social media.
- This tribute will be limited in scope to the materials currently available and continued funding.
Donations
If you would like to make a gift in celebration of Mike and Annette’s lives or to support the funding of our Free Books tribute, checks may be made out to:
Reaching Kids 4 Christ
1204 Daffodil Lane
Longview, TX 75604
Reaching Kids 4 Christ is a 501(c)3 ministry and all gifts are tax-deductible.
Mrs. Joy GillenExecutive Director
Mr. Michael FitzhughTreasurer
Mrs. Linda FitzhughSecretary
Mike and Annette’s ministry of Reaching Kids 4 Christ was the primary focus in their last season of life. Careful planning of all aspects of the ministry was paramount to ensure that it could be sustained after they were no longer living. They began a quiet search for the person who could lead their beloved RK4C.
In Joy’s own words: “The first time I met Annette was at a home Bible study through the ministry of Mobberly Baptist Church. Annette told us about how she felt called to be a missionary and the details of her testimony were so much like mine. As a teenager, I thought I was supposed to be a missionary, but as life went on, it didn’t happen. That same night, I went to Annette and told her how her testimony sounded just like mine and that I wanted to be a part of the Reaching Kids for Christ ministry.”
Their relationship flourished after that pivotal night and Joy became Mike and Annette’s very able Assistant. Joy walked alongside the Childress’ in their final journey and there was no doubt that she was the one to continue the leadership of RK4C. In May of 2022, after Annette’s death, Joy became the Executive Director of Reaching Kids 4 Christ.