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Our Why and How
BREAD FOR CHILDREN magazine was birthed out of
a vision from the Lord, given to teacher/writer, Anna Lee Carlton in the
late 1960’s. The vision was for a magazine containing Biblical teaching,
articles, and testimonies of God’s goodness.
The original charter, issued in 1972, was under
the name BREAD FOR CHILDREN. A second charter was issued in the name
BREAD MINISTRIES, INC; a religious organization chartered for the
purpose of publishing the whole Gospel of Jesus Christ without regard to
denomination, creed, race, or nationality. The basic vision remains,
with some adaptations in format that have occurred over the years. The
word “GOD’S” was added to the nameplate of the magazine to reflect
its use by God’s children of all ages. We have grandparents who still
read BREAD for themselves, and pastor’s who use its content as a basis
for messages.
After years of teaching school and writing for
a church publishing house, Mrs. Carlton heard from God about producing a
magazine for children that would teach them about Jesus and how to live
an overcoming life in the Spirit of the Lord. She began the ministry
with volunteer help, but soon the need for full time workers became
apparent. Mrs. Carlton guided the ministry for 20 years before health
issues in her 80’s resulted in her retirement.
Judith Gibbs, the current Editor, joined the
ministry in 1981, and served as Mrs. Carlton’s assistant for twelve
years prior to Mrs. Carlton’s retirement. Judy also had a history as a
school teacher, but not as a writer. The writing skills were honed
during the years serving with Mrs. Carlton.
BREAD has always been a faith-based ministry.
We do not charge for BREAD FOR GOD’S CHILDREN: the Lord said the
Gospel was given to us freely, and we were to give it freely. Though we
do not charge, there are costs to print and mail BREAD. Since our
beginning, the Lord has provided for our needs through donations
from the Body of Christ, those who have a desire to see the Word of the
Lord go out to all of God’s children. BREAD, in English, is sent into
many other nations of the world. Since 1977, we have printed (on an
intermittent basis) in Spanish; to go into Latin America and Spanish
speaking nations of the world.
In our office we write, edit, design, and
layout pages for printing BREAD. We then take these pages to a printer
who returns the printed magazines to us for mailing. We have the
equipment to address and mail the magazines across the US, to Canada,
and to 70 other nations.
The BREAD staff meets daily for prayer and
Bible study. We pray for our readers, missionaries, and the nations. If
you have a prayer request, you can send it via our email address, call,
or write. We don’t claim any special miracle powers other then believing the
Word of the Lord, but we do pray, and we do believe Jesus.
Our Locale
Since 1981, BREAD’S home has been a beautiful
acreage outside of Arcadia, Florida that we named Bethlehem Acres. “Bethlehem”
means “house of bread.” Our office, a duplex, and the director’s
home are all log structures with plenty of windows so we can enjoy the
beauties of nature around us. We are at the end of Cross Avenue, and our
acreage backs up to Joshua Creek. We feel right in the center of God’s
will. We invite you to come and visit any time you are in Central
Florida.
Our Readership
Our readers are of all ages and from every
denomination and locale in the USA, Canada, and 70 other Nations. BREAD
MINISTRIES has a special group of Prayer Warriors within our readership: Prayer Warriors
and King’s Children Can club.
Prayer Warriors are those adults who will pray
for the ministry and staff on a regular basis. They receive a monthly
newsletter of prayer encouragement and needs, plus praise reports for
what God is doing.
See the contact
page for the opportunity to support BREAD MINISTRIES.
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