Faith By Fire Kids: Bringing Biblical Lessons To Life For The Next Generation

For Lakeisha Faulkner, the idea behind her business began with a simple request from her young son: He wanted his own book of Bible scriptures.

What started as an idea to create a collection of verses eventually became Faith by Fire Kids, a Christian discipleship brand designed to introduce young children to biblical teachings through books, merchandise and family-centered experiences.

The brand’s debut book, 12 Scriptures for Little Disciples, helps children,  particularly those ages 2 to 6, connect Scripture to everyday experiences, like how to be less afraid of the dark, make friends, learn to share or deal with disappointment.

Rather than relying solely on traditional Bible stories, Faulkner wants children to understand how biblical teachings can guide them through situations they encounter in their own lives.

“A lot of kids know about Noah and the big ark, and they know about Moses and Jesus feeding 5,000,” Faulkner said. “But this is a little bit different because we’re actually kind of teaching them in almost like a devotional way.”

Turning a Personal Journey Into a Business

The inspiration for Faith by Fire Kids is closely connected to Faulkner’s own journey as a mother and her renewed relationship with her faith.

As a single mother raising two young boys, Faulkner said she experienced personal challenges that brought her closer to God. During that time, she became more intentional about reading the Bible and incorporating Scripture into her daily life.

Her children began noticing a change in her and started to ask questions about what she was reading.

Faulkner started teaching them Bible verses when they were toddlers, incorporating Scripture into everyday routines and prayers. One example became a morning tradition and mantra: “This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

Through repetition and consistency, she noticed her children were memorizing verses and relying on them during everyday challenges and inconveniences. 

When other parents began asking how her young children knew so many scriptures, and her son voiced interest in a scripture book of his own, Faulkner began putting the idea into motion. 

With a background in marketing, branding, web design and graphic design, Faulkner began developing the concept. But she knew she wanted to create something totally unique and engaging. “I don’t want to just throw some scriptures in a book,” she said.

Instead, she created a story following a young bear named Theo throughout an ordinary day. Theo encounters familiar childhood experiences, giving young readers opportunities to connect biblical lessons with situations they recognize.

Faulkner involved her children in the creative process, testing prototypes and gathering their opinions. Even choosing the character’s name required several rounds of feedback.

She recognized that situations adults might consider small can feel significant to young children, and thus used their reactions to the material to help shape the products.

Eventually, it was time to self-publish, an endeavor that presented its own set of challenges that would require extensive creativity, research and patience. 

Building Faith Through Everyday Experiences

The name Faith by Fire has a deeply personal meaning for Faulkner. She said the phrase came to her during one of the most difficult periods of her life as she navigated her divorce and its emotional and spiritual challenges.

Over time, she came to understand it as a reminder that faith can grow stronger through hardship. She also connected the name to Isaiah 43:2, which talks about walking through fire without being consumed.

That message became central to her vision for the business.

Faulkner believes children should learn early that life will include difficult moments and that faith can provide a foundation for navigating them.

“Life is not always rainbows and sunshine,” she said. “You will go through suffering. You will go through hard times. You will go through challenges at a young age and even growing as an adult.”

Overall, she hopes the books will help parents raise more courageous and resilient children and foster a more faith-centered family.

Growing a Business While Raising a Family

Alongside running Faith by Fire Kids, Faulkner maintains a corporate career and raises her two children. She credits her parents, a trusted babysitter and close friends for helping her balance those responsibilities.

She also acknowledges that entrepreneurship requires sacrifices, and regularly works after her children go to bed or brings her laptop to various activities like visits to the playground.

Most importantly, however, her children can see themselves in the business they helped bring to life.

“They can see the connection, which makes me feel better,” she said.

The business has also received encouraging feedback from families and educators. Faulkner said parents and grandparents have shared videos and messages about children repeatedly asking to read the book, often referring to it as the “Theo book” or the “Bear book.”

She has also received positive feedback from educators at her children’s Christian school, including the principal and pre-K director, who complimented the book’s illustrations, construction and Scripture selections.

Those responses reinforce her belief that the business can help families make faith a more consistent part of everyday life.

Connecting with New Jersey Families

As a New Jersey native, Faulkner hopes to establish a strong local presence for Faith by Fire Kids through church visits, family events, vendor opportunities and community partnerships.

Her plans include potential story time events at participating Chick-fil-A locations and community-based family activities such as skating fundraisers.

In December, she plans to return to Tabernacle Baptist Church in Burlington, where she grew up and was baptized, for a story time and book signing. The event is expected to feature readings from her debut book and an upcoming Christmas-themed book, along with food and activities for children.

Looking ahead, Faulkner envisions expanding the brand as its young audience grows. She hopes to eventually introduce Faith by Fire Big Kids, featuring chapter books and lessons addressing the experiences of elementary school-aged children.

For now, her focus remains on creating resources that help families introduce faith through meaningful, everyday conversations.

When asked about the legacy she hopes to leave, Faulkner described it simply: “The legacy is that a seed was planted.”

She wants children to remember the books their parents, grandparents or Sunday school teachers shared with them and carry those lessons throughout their lives.

For Faulkner, Faith by Fire Kids is an opportunity to turn her personal journey of faith into something that can help shape the next generation.

This story is part of NJ Urban News’ Business of the Month series, highlighting outstanding businesses making an impact across New Jersey. Know a business we should feature? Email us at editorial@njurbannews.com