Why “The Judah Kids Project”?
Notes by Sam Musto, Founder & Executive Director | from 01.12.2022
Working at East Lake Expression Engine (ELEE), I was able to experience the power of a multi-purpose name. Abbreviated as "The Engine", We found no issue with people remembering who we were. The kids were referred to as engineers and a few projects were established that played on the concept of a train (like "Locomotion time").
I mean, we find a strong pattern of names being used by God to establish purpose for his people all through Scripture. So I have been thinking of the message I'd want to send in a nonprofit name for a LONG time.
There were 3 components I evaluated in the process of looking for a name; Biblical Context, Social Marketing, and Linguistic Aesthetics
Biblical Context
I desired a name that encapsulated the full span of God's work with humanity while also referencing a point of history that displayed our mission as a nonprofit.
The obvious terms along this line of thought would be "Israel", "Covenant", "Jehovah", etc. But every title or word I listed was either too specific, or came off abrasively to the people we seek to serve (christians AND non-christians alike). Yes, we are unashamed and furthermore, evangelical with the gospel message, yet we, serving as an extension or at least an adjacent of the church, desire to promote healthy relationships with those outside of God's people, who might at first glance be skeptical.
Then I came across the name "Judah".
In Genesis 49, Israel blessed his sons each with a specific purpose. Judah, named by his mother, was given a calling and blessing that fulfilled the meaning of his name, "To praise". This blessing came to pass as we see the Bible's most praised character follow in his (Judah’s) lineage. The popular "who can be against us" wording is used to emphasize the strength comparison between the Tribe of Judah and a lion/lioness. In fact, Israel describes Judah as a lion's cub who grows up to be set apart from prey.
As far as I know, there's not a single time between Genesis and Revelation where "Lion" is used as a title of Jesus so we are left to ponder who could be the Lion for Judah to be detailed as the Lion's cub. When you read Revelation 5:5 everything clicks. Jesus is the Lion of the Tribe of Judah (His baby lion)
Judah Kids will equip the next generation of believers to be fierce and mighty warriors and defenders of the gospel through music and art.
"Project" is added to take emphasis off the thought that all the children in the program are or will fulfill the calling of Judah, but the hope is that by training many many kids in the Lord's house, we will help preserve the remnant of Judah. It also sets up the nonprofit to become a partner with its future parent, Judah Company, which I’ve dreamed of being a training and resource program for music teachers, community leaders, and worship directors domestically, as well as all around Latin America. So, though that might be 7-10 years from now, having the clout of whatever Judah Kids becomes in those years would majorly progress the beginnings of Judah Co.
Proposed Program Verse | Isaiah 37:c31
"And the surviving remnant of the house of Judah shall again take root downward and bear fruit upward."
Social Marketing
Think of all the ways Judah Kids could be illustrated. A lion cub paw print, a lion, a crown, or a treble clef sign with lion elements. We could use these things to develop a string of play on words such as Cubhouse and Tribe Walks that give a branded presentation to our marketing schemes.
Linguistic Aesthetics
Simple enough, the name just sounds good! It’s catchy, rolls off the tongue, and people already have shared that they love it!
