In the parable of the builders, Jesus said, “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house; and yet it did not fall, for its foundation had been built on the rock.”
Jayme and Larry Acosta were immeasurably instrumental in the forming of KidWorks—and in laying the firm foundation of faith in Jesus that has sustained us as we celebrate our 30th year of service. From their initial eight-week Bible-based program launched in Santa Ana in 1993, the seed that led to the founding of KidWorks was planted. Today, Larry is Lead Catalyst, Multiethnic Church Planting at City to City LA/Redeemer City to City. Jayme is a counselor at Tustin High School in Orange County.
Name: Jayme and Larry Acosta
City: Santa Ana, CA
Role at KidWorks: Founders
How did you first become involved with KidWorks?
God gave us a vision to reach children outside the four walls of the Church with the gospel because we had both been reached as children.
Share the most meaningful experiences you’ve had at KidWorks? What made them impactful to you?
Jayme teaching Bible stories to tons of children sitting on blue tarps in the middle of various courtyards on Townsend St., Myrtle Street, Minnie Street, Fairview Villas, etc
Can you talk about some of the biggest obstacles KidWorks' programming overcame when you were involved.
In the early days the gang members ran the streets and drug deals were going down all around us, BUT GOD was so good to protect us! Also, in the early days it was not “cool” to respond to the gospel message we were sharing as it was so different from the culture of the street. But I am so grateful for a courageous middle school girl who responded to the gospel named Gabriella Gonzalez Cova. She was bold, committed and fearless. She was serious about her new faith in Jesus and would love that out throughout high school as she volunteered with us in the neighborhood and then would be the first to go to college and then on for her Master’s degree.
What does KidWorks mean to you? Looking back, how did KidWorks help to shape your life? How did KW help to influence the person you are today?
As the Founders, KidWorks was “our first kid”. KidWorks is like our first child, seriously! Two crazy kids who wanted to make a difference in the lives of children, youth and families in central Santa Ana. Jayme was in her early 20’s when we started and I was 30. Motivated by our personal faith, God used our willingness to GO, along with the courageous college aged interns, to launch a beautiful “lighthouse” in the neighborhoods.
What are your dreams for KidWorks over the next 10, 20, or 30 years?
That it would keep faith and the gospel at the center, continuing to reach kids spiritually first and then academically. My hope is that David Benavides, KidWorks exceptional current leader, will someday in the future be followed by a successor, that like him, will also be a KidWorks graduate.