In November 2011, Pastor Jonathan Falwell sent out a letter to his Falwell Confidential readers detailing his partnership with the Teddy Bear Brigade in Kenya. He encouraged others to get involved with the ministry. You can see his letter below as well as a video link from his trip. 

A Special Message from Jonathan Falwell from TeddyBearBrigade on Vimeo.

The Power of the Teddy Bear 

I have witnessed it firsthand, this power of the teddy bear.

In Kenya earlier this year, members of my Thomas Road Baptist Church team and I participated in the distribution of teddy bears and assorted stuffed animals to children whose other “toys” were as a rule an old inner tube and a stick.  I was truly moved as hoards of little kids — whose families have virtually nothing — accepted new stuffed animals into their arms, their faces lighting up in astounding ways.

As the season of Christmas approaches, I would like you to join with me in a special ministry; we call it the Teddy Bear Brigade (TBB).  We have partnered in this ministry with Gleaning For The World, the Concord, Va.-based non-profit organization that provides massive amounts of humanitarian aid around the world.  To join with us, it will cost you nothing.  Here are the details …

Over the last ten years, this ministry has collected new and what we term “gently loved” stuffed animals to provide comfort, security and love to children who are in need worldwide.  We have ministered to little ones throughout Central America, the Caribbean and Africa through our TBB program.

Here in America, the Teddy Bear Brigade offers a unique opportunity for churches and families who want to reach out beyond their walls to impact children eternally.  It is really easy to partner with the TBB.  Simply collect stuffed animals from your homes and donate them to Gleaning For The World so that we can dispatch them to children in impoverished world locales.

As I noted, I can personally attest to the incredible impact The Teddy Bear Brigade can have on a hurting child.  In Kenya, we witnessed the gravity of human suffering.  Some of the most affected are children, who experience extreme poverty, war, famine, disease and natural disaster much too early in life.  As our team moved through various villages and jungles, we met many children who were too afraid to even approach us.

However, by handing them a stuffed animal that was supplied by the TBB, I saw the fear in each child’s eyes dissolve, replaced by joy at receiving their gift of wonderment.  Our supply of teddy bears gave us the unique opportunity to communicate with these children and share the Gospel – all thanks to donations that came from churches and families here in the U.S.

I think the Teddy Bear Brigade offers churches and families an excellent opportunity to teach children about the importance of sharing, specifically as it relates to sharing our faith in Jesus Christ.

I would like to personally extend my invitation to you and/or your church to partner with Thomas Road Baptist Church and Gleaning For The World in our very special Teddy Bear Brigade.  You can learn more about this wonderful ministry to impoverished children across our globe by visiting our website (www.TeddyBearBrigade.com) or by calling 1.877.913.9212.  I hope many of my Falwell Confidential friends will join in this special ministry to deprived kids worldwide.  

Thank you.