No, this isn't a sandwich making seminar . . .
Hoagie Workshop is named after one of the greatest things my parents passed down to me . . . a $4 puppet that they used from the late '70's into the late '80's for their children's ministry.
And now, that 30 year old puppet is still being used. The character is virtually unchanged (he may be a bit more manic than when my parents used him), and still a favorite character for the kids in my own ministry. He's getting old, and I'll have to replace him soon, but I can't believe how well he's stood up to the test of time.
But he also represents some of the other virtues and abilities and passions my parents instilled in me. For example, my father taught and preached using stories. I picked that up from him. I do it in a different way, but it's part of what I do and can be traced back directly to "Uncle Larry" and "Aunt Carol" telling stories with puppets and overhead projectors in little children's tabernacles at Bible camps and VBS's.
So that's where the name comes from, and that's what this blog is all about. Sharing God's word and hope and message with children.
~ Ben
