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The bottom line in Hudson's approach is making sure children—and their parents—become Christians and are discipled.

"You can reach the whole family by taking care of the kids," Hudson says. The church had 168 baptisms of elementary-age children last year."We try to give them God's Word on their age level," Hudson says. " if they're not bored to death, you don't have to force them to come to church."Parent volunteers kept the renovation cost to $270,000, with Barry making no profit. Citing statistics that 85 percent of Christians make a decision for Christ before age 14, Hudson believes it is well worth the price. "It makes sense to pour money into the greatest harvest field, which is kids."Meanwhile, Barry is busy planning his next project: Toon Town Train Station at Houston's Second Baptist Church. He hopes such set designs are a sign of the future because he believes a high-tech environment stimulates an overall interest in learning as well as in reading the Bible."It's not good enough to just have painted decorations on the wall anymore," Barry says. "I wish I had learned all this at a younger age."

First Baptist Springdale 's Web site has Webcasted sermons, a history of the church, and other resources.Want Bruce Barry to design your church youth room—or your kid's bedroom? Here's his promotional site.

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June 12 2000, Vol. 44, No. 7