Rio is Spanish for river and when praying about a name for Sound Ministries children’s collection, the name and mission bubbled up in me.

Children are like rivers; they begin small and they grow with time; they’re flexible and willing to move with the Holy Spirit; they flow like the wind and move with imagination. They bring life and joy, creativity and wonder. Children are meant to be mighty like a river, flourish like a river, and sparkle like a river.

Rio Kids is meant to enrich lives and bring out the treasure in each child. Sound Ministries is committed to helping children from all nations find their God-given purpose, to know their identity in Christ, and to pursue their purpose with passion and endurance.

Every 5th blanket sold, a blanket is donated to “Bart’s Blankets,” a mission founded by my son Bartlett which provides free blankets and outreach ministry to children in crisis and longterm medical care.

Jesus, who is the River of Life, commanded, “Let the little children come to me,” and that’s our heart at Sound Ministries: to let children be children and let them thrive in God’s river.