NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Supply simply didn't keep up with demand and a ministry that paid young people $10 to memorize and recite the Ten Commandments has run out of money.
The Ten Commandments Project, according to The Associated Press, received about 15,000 "memorization affidavits from children in all 50 states since George Kelley's program was publicized in December.
"We are victims of success," said 76-year-old Kelley, a retired flower shop owner who has put his Ten Commandments Project on hold "until the Lord provides additional money."
Children 16 and younger living in the United States qualified for the $10 award by reciting the commandments to a non-parental adult, such as a pastor, rabbi, priest or teacher, who would sign an affidavit stating they had heard the recitation.
Kelley told the news service he ministry was born out of disgust after a part-time cook murdered seven workers at three Tennessee restaurants in 1997. Kelley and his wife, Marion, saw the crimes as evidence young people did not understand right from wrong.
Along with the affidavits, donations have come in, but the cash hasn't kept up with demand. The ministry plans to honor children's letters received through April 5.
The Kelleys have asked private foundations and wealthy individuals to help keep the program alive, the AP reported.
"Really, it would be a shame if this thing stopped," Kelley said. "But that's not in our hands."
