If you’re looking for an example of urban ministry that’s both time-tested and powerfully effective, you’ll find it in the story of children’s evangelist and Pastor Dr. Terry Horn.
Over the decades, people have called him “A hero to kids,” “A ministry legend,” “A pioneer in kids’ ministry,” and even a “missionary to the inner city.” Those aren’t just flattering titles—they reflect a lifelong calling that continues to impact thousands of children every year through Metro City Kids.
A Lifelong Calling to Urban Ministry
Dr. Horn is celebrating over 50 years of active work in children’s ministry. For many of those years, he has been reaching children in public and assisted housing complexes in major cities across America. That’s the heart of urban ministry: showing up consistently, building trust in neighborhoods that are often overlooked, and bringing hope where it’s needed most.
In Jacksonville, Fla., Metro City Kids has served for 15 years, though the ministry itself has been doing urban ministry for decades. In 2024, Dr. Horn received congressional recognition for 50 years in children’s ministry, teaching good citizenship and biblical moral values.
“Their efforts have had notable and tangible importance in the northeast Florida community of Jacksonville,” said Congressman John Rutherford.
The Duval County Sheriff’s office, where Rep. Rutherford served as Sheriff before becoming an elected House Representative, reported that juvenile crime in public housing areas where Metro City Kids operated saw a 40% reduction in their first five years of service to the area.
“Their investment in our next generation has made northeast Florida a safer, more loving place to live, and I thank them for that,” said Rep. Rutherford.
The reduction in juvenile crime is a powerful testament to what can happen when urban ministry invests in children and families.
From “Uncle Sam” to Sidewalk Kids Church
One of the most memorable aspects of Dr. Horn’s approach to children’s ministry is that he ministers in costume as “Uncle Sam.” It’s fun, it’s engaging, and it creates an instant connection with children. But beyond the costume is a deeply intentional strategy: to capture attention, build relationships, and clearly share biblical truth in a way kids can understand.
Metro City Kids also brings church outside the walls through a unique tool for urban ministry: A former donut truck transformed into a mobile sidewalk kids church. When the truck’s side folds down into a stage, it reveals a massive Jumbotron-style screen that displays worship videos, lesson graphics, and age-appropriate biblical content for each outreach message.
This is a children’s ministry built for the streets—creative, excellent, and designed for the environment where the children already live.
Teaching Truth, Building Character and Sharing Jesus
At every Metro City Kids event, children are taught biblical truths, moral values, good manners, and citizenship. That combination is one reason this urban ministry is so respected across the properties where it serves. It’s not just entertainment; it’s discipleship, mentorship, and practical life formation.
And yes, it’s also a whole lot of fun. Kids meet two of Dr. Horn’s favorite puppet friends: “J.R.,” a big-eared, wisecracking ventriloquist dummy, and “Holy Cal,” a peanut-shaped puppet known for a hilarious “roadkill” impersonation that reliably brings big laughs. Add face painting, simple ballooning, games, contests, snacks, and candy treats, and you have children’s ministry events that children genuinely want to attend.
As vibrant as the programs are, their purpose is always clear: to present the life-changing gospel of Jesus Christ. Dr. Horn recently shared about a seven-year-old girl who approached him at an event and asked who this “Jesus” was and why he was talking about Him. In that moment, Pastor Terry introduced her to Jesus.
“It’s quite rewarding,” Dr. Horn said. “We’re seeing kids getting saved and sticking with Jesus, and that’s what is really important.” That’s urban ministry at its best—real questions, real answers, and fundamental transformation one child at a time.
Partnership That Fuels the Mission
Dr. Horn has been a Partner with Kenneth Copeland Ministries (KCM) for over 45 years, first meeting Kenneth Copeland through Lester Sumrall. “When I met Kenneth Copeland, he treated me like he had known me for years,” said Dr. Horn. There were a few occasions in the 1970s when Dr. Horn led the children’s ministry while Brother Copeland preached to the adults.
Over the last 40 years, KCM has supported Dr. Horn’s work in various ways, including providing a van early on and, most recently, helping Metro City Kids receive a new jumbo screen for their mobile sidewalk kids’ church. This means that as a Partner with KCM, your ministry dollars are impacting youth in urban areas.
Metro City Kids currently serves about 6,500 kids each year (pre-COVID, they reached about 12,000). That’s a significant footprint for urban ministry, and partnership plays a key role in sustaining consistent outreach and expanding what’s possible.
“I want to send out a big virtual hug and a giant ‘God bless you!’ to KCM and its Partners,” said Dr. Horn. “Thank you so much for your diligence in giving so that we can continue to reach kids for Jesus.”
Training Others To Reach the Next Generation
Dr. Horn and his wife, Cynthia—both ordained ministers through Christ for the Nations in Dallas, Texas—are available to travel to churches and train teams in urban kids’ ministry, including puppetry and ventriloquism.
Metro City Kids also offers weekend church services, school assemblies, VBS, and kids camps. Their message is urgent and straightforward: We must reach our nation’s kids—whether in church or in the inner city—with the truth of God’s Word.
As Dr. Horn (a.k.a. Uncle Sam) puts it: “Children are our most valuable national treasure.” At Metro City Kids, that belief isn’t just a quote—it’s a decades-long urban ministry mission that Dr. Horn says is still “cranking it out” through reaching neighborhoods and still helping kids meet Jesus.
“I’m 71 years old,” said Dr. Horn. “Brother Copeland is 89 years old, and he’s an inspiration. I can’t quit now; I’ve got too many kids to see get saved.”
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