By Nadine Thomas- Brown, Guardian Lifestyles Reporter, nadine@nagsuard.com

Recognizing that the children are indeed the future of a nation, the Evangelistic Centre Assemblies of God has decided to target them through their "Boys and Girls Crusade", in an effort to curb the almost daily occurrences of senseless violence sweeping the country. This effort is aimed to "nip it in the bud" so to speak.

Superintendent of Sunday Schools and organizer of the event, Clarita Lockhart, says that the "Boys and Girls Crusade" is the first of a series of events to kick-off a drive that the church is doing which will focus on children ages seven to 15 years from the Bain and Grant's Town communities.

The drive to get boys and girls into church and Sunday School begins today, and will run through Sunday, Aug. 31.

The "Boys and Girls Crusade" itself begins on Friday, May 2 and ends on Saturday, May 3 and will be held in the church's parking lot, Vesey Street and Blue Hill Road. The crusade is free.

Lockhart says the children who attend the two day crusade are in for a treat, and promises tons of fun in a safe environment with numerous activities for the children attending, including a performance by ventriloquist Derek Adams and the Yellow Bahamian. On Saturday, the fun continues with more food and a bouncing castle as well as story time. The children from the church will also put on a mini-concert.

"[We] are targeting the area because we are concerned about the crime situation in the area, that we need to get to the boys and girls first and get them saved and in church," Lockhart said, adding that there are a number of children in the targeted areas who do not attend church.

"We feel that if we can get them at that age, once they are indoctrinated we can let them loose on the community. Right now, that age group is at risk and we need to catch them before they slip through the cracks. Up to [age] seven they seem to be okay, but even at seven if you hear the language, just when they are walking across the church's parking lot, it is astounding," she said.

Lockhart believes that her church will succeed in their efforts because of their determination and commitment as well as their belief in God. "Once we obey, once we plant, once we sow, then God is going to give the increase. We are aiming to change the nation one child at a time. If we get the children we believe that the parents will follow."

Lockhart added that a child found in church is rarely found in the courthouse because church gives them a conscience, and as a lawyer she has first-hand knowledge of this.

To make it easier to canvass the area and build momentum for the drive, Lockhart said the members have split themselves into committees to canvass specific boundaries. They have formed into three teams made up of approximately 25 people each to go about the task.