Missionary Dog


This week in Kidz Kingdom, we talked about Proof, the first ever missionary dog. Proof is 18 inches tall, and can sit, stand, or roll-over better than any other Southern Baptist missionary. Her owner, Andrew Mann, is from Missouri. Proof and Andrew live in the Bronx, in New York City. Andrew felt called by God to leave Missouri and start an after-school program in the Bronx. Andrew obeyed, and of course took his dog Proof, with him and started Graffiti 2 Ministries.

Proof is no ordinary dog. She is a trained therapy dog. She is always by Andrew’s side. I guess you could say that Proof is a local celebrity. In the after-school program at Graffiti 2, many kids come from rough environments. The Bronx has lots of drugs, crimes, and other situations that make life scary for a kid. The kids who come to Graffiti 2 also have a hard time with school. People help out these kids during the after-school program. Many of the kids are below reading level, and that’s where Proof comes in. Kids tend to be shy when reading to an adult, thinking that they might laugh or make fun of them for not being able to read. Proof on the other hand does not know how to read. She brings kids comfort and lets the kid’s read to her. When kids aren’t feeling well, Proof senses that and goes to the kid and will comfort them until they feel better.

During the after-school program, Andrew sees this as an opportunity to share a daily devotion with the kids at Graffiti 2. The kids respond well to this and always look forward to coming to Graffiti 2.
I love the story of Andrew and Proof! I think to myself, “Wow! Isn’t it amazing that God can use anything and anyone, even a dog, to show the love of Jesus.” Just like Proof helps comfort the kids at Graffiti 2, God is willing to comfort us if we fully trust Him! God created everything for His glory! Andrew left Missouri by faith to go to New York and God blessed him for following. God has wonderful things in store for us all. We just need to surrender our lives to Him and let Him takes us to where He wants us.


NOTE 1: You can learn more about Graffiti 2 Ministries on their website http://graffiti2ministries.org/
NOTE 2: All Pictures Provided by their Missions video produced by the North American Missions Board in 2011 for LifeWay's VBS 2011 Curriculum, Big Apple Adventure: Where Faith and Life Connect

SAD NOTE: Proof, the first missionary dog, died in June of 2016. She served at Graffiti 2 from 2006 to 2016. How great though, that God used her to help lead others to Him during her lifetime.

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