Footprints
TURNING PAGES
AND
CHANGING LIVES: 2025 SUMMER LITERACY CAMP
As the summer heat blazed across Central Arkansas in early August, 15 children found refuge indoors, not to escape the sun, but to ignite their passion for reading at STEP’s Summer Literacy Camp! Since its beginning, the Literacy Camp has become a cornerstone of STEP’s summer programming, helping students return to school more confident and ready to learn The camp is designed not only to strengthen students’ reading skills but also to share God’s Word through Bible stories and to create a joyful, memorable week of learning and fun. That largely happens because of the amazing volunteers who serve, “Our volunteers are making a difference in students’ lives beyond reading skills as they learn about God, His Son, and the Word,” shared Tutoring and Literacy Coordinator Juli Atkinson
Campers enjoyed games, songs, crafts, two meals a day, and of course, STEP’s unique trait of engaging children in one-on-one tutoring, “We show them love by showing up and pouring into them on a one-on-one basis They are about to start school, where they will be one-on-many, so I think it’s so important for them to know they matter, they are loved, and they count because they are a child of God and He made them,” says long-time volunteer, Kathy Rogers.
This year, thanks to the generosity of James Greene and Associates, every child also received a new backpack filled with school supplies, books, and a Bible: an incredible blessing that left students excited about literacy and school!
Thanks to faithful volunteers and partners, this year ’ s camp gave children stronger reading skills, greater confidence, and a lasting reminder of God’s love!
EMPOWERING PEOPLE THROUGH JESUS CHRIST TO STEP IN STEP UP STEP OUT!
Impr Ment
STEP FEATURED ON KATV
On August 11, STEP’s Mary Carol Pederson and STEP alumnus George Eckwood had the privilege of sharing about the ministry on KATV’s ARC afternoon show. While the segment primarily highlighted our Summer Literacy Camp, it also opened the door to share how God is using STEP to transform lives, impact our city, and invite others to get involved
During the interview, Mary Carol was asked how STEP makes a difference in the community She shared a moving encounter with two former students who had grown up in STEP One told her, “STEP was the best thing my mom ever did for me ” The other, through tears, said, “I don’t think I would be alive today without STEP Ministries ” That testimony captures the very heart of our mission: lasting life-change that reaches far beyond childhood.
We praise God for this kind of lasting impact on the children, and now adults, in our community. Stories like these are possible because of your faithful prayers, giving, and support. Thank you for helping us change lives for Christ!
To see this story, please go here to KATV com
KeynoteSpeaker Dr.RobertLewis
AuthorofRaisingaModern DayKnight,founderofMen’s Fraternity,and formerDirectionalPastorat FellowshipBibleChurch
AuthorofRaisingaModern DayKnight,founderofMen’s Fraternity,and formerDirectionalPastorat FellowshipBibleChurch KeynoteSpeaker Dr.RobertLewis
Emcee&Host ScottInman
Formeraward-winningTV newsanchorandRazorback SportsNetworkbroadcaster
Formeraward-winningTV newsanchorandRazorback SportsNetworkbroadcaster Emcee&Host ScottInman
To reserve your seat, please contact our Administrative Assistant, Lisa Glidewell, at 501-681-2060 or email her at lisa@stepministries.org. The deadline to register is Friday, October 10.
SERVE:
FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
M A R Y C A R O L P E D E R S O N
“TellMe More!”
As STEP continues to walk in this new season of explosive growth, one of my absolute favorite things is to share with pastors of additional churches about what God does through mobilizing His people at STEP! Inevitably when they hear even a snippet about STEP, they say in one way or another, “Tell me more!” It thrills my soul to then see their earnestness and excitement over the possibility of engaging their congregation in oneon-one mentorship, evangelism, and discipleship of under-resourced youth in our community through partnering with us!
And, as STEP is now involved in mentoring a third generation of youth, the stories are endless as I speak with STEP alumni and long-time mentors about the lifelong impact on both mentor and mentee
Stories like youth who didn’t have a father around, but grew up to become a godly, praiseworthy father to THEIR children Youth who came from desperate poverty, but grew up to become professionally
successful and are giving back to their own community Youth who couldn’t read, but a STEP tutor or encourager helped open that door for them. Youth who had no hope but accepted Christ, had a Christ-follower model following God’s word over time, and are now filled with the hope and joy of Jesus’ abundant life These youth credit STEP with being a deciding factor in these stories Plus, there are many stories of mentors who thought they were signing up to “help a child” and realized that THEY were the ones who learned things and were transformed for good through the experience
Thank you for partnering with STEP Our recent “School Year Program Launch” fundraising letter has brought in $39k! Thank you to those who responded As we continue leaning into this huge step of faith in multiplication, will you pray about how God may be calling you to do even MORE to grow the impact of this life-changing ministry?
For His Glory,
STEP Ministries, Inc.
PO Box 122
North Little Rock, AR 72115
After much prayer and strategic planning, STEP’s Board of Directors sensed God’s clear direction to lead the ministry into a season of growth and multiplication In November 2024, the board unanimously voted to increase the budget by more than $400,000 to position STEP for this expansion, trusting fully in God’s provision
We are grateful that, through His faithfulness in previous years, we are able to bridge the current gap between income and ministry costs by drawing from savings as we actively pursue the financial growth needed to sustain and expand the work ahead
Join us in multiplying hope and prayerfully consider giving towards our God-sized growth! You can always give securely online at STEPMinistries.org or by mailing a gift to P O Box 122, NLR, AR 72115
