IN THE MINISTRY S
A pioneer in kids’ ministry and a missionary to
the inner city, Dr. Terry Horn (a.k.a. “Uncle Sam”)
influences the lives of around 2,200 inner-city kids
each month with the Metro City Kids mobile church
(Sidewalk Sunday School) near Jacksonville, Florida.
Dr. Horn answered the ministry call in 1974 by
ministering to kids through a local children’s
television program. After time in prayer with another
children’s evangelist, “Captain Hook,” Dr. Horn
adopted the name “ Uncle Sam” and began traveling,
taking the gospel message of “God and Country”
to our nation’s children with the theme “America’s
Greatest Need Is Jesus.” To this day, “Uncle Sam”
is still found ministering to kids at churches, kids
camps, kids crusades and in urban settings.
For over 23 years, Dr. Horn has been reaching children
in public and assisted housing complexes in major
cities throughout America. Currently he and his wife
Cynthia operate Metro City Kids, a dynamic innercity
children’s ministry to the kids in public housing
in Jacksonville, Florida. Dr. Horn drives his unique,
one-of-a-kind “fun truck” with Jumbo Tron screen
and stage into the neighborhood and children
throng. The Jumbo Tron screen shows graphics and
videos for the day’s outreach. The stage is equipped
with a G-Scale model railroad track mounted to it so
the children can enjoy the train from time to time.
The back end of the truck opens up, revealing a game
wall and puppet stage area -- all cleverly designed
and professionally built so that kids can have a blast
while playing games of skill.
During Metro City Kids services, the children are
taught biblical truths, moral values, good manners
and citizenship. Children who attend are taught
and entertained by two of Dr. Horn’s favorite
puppet friends: “J.R.” (a big-eared, baldheaded,
wisecracking ventriloquist dummy) and “Holy Cal”
(a funny peanut body-shaped puppet who does a
funny impersonation of roadkill).
Also featured during their program are face painting
and simple ballooning, which the kids thoroughly
enjoy. Snacks are given out after each program.
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