For 15 years, I’ve served in Kids Ministry at different churches and denominations. For 15 years, I worked almost solely with 2-4 year olds and for 15 years I wondered the impact it had on their lives (if any), apart from providing a child-free environment in which their parents could enjoy the sermon.
Now, I am the mother of a 3 year old and a 4 year old and I’m on the receiving end of Kids Ministry and I’m overwhelmed. I’m overwhelmed by what my boys get out of it, how much their faith life has grown and how it encourages me. I love hearing them sing ‘kids church’ songs around the house, tell me the stories (somewhat disjointed) that they’ve heard at kids church and the other day I was blown away when Tyson asked if he could pray for Jack’s eczema to go away and proceeded to pray out loud over his little brother.
After 15 years, I can now see, first hand, the impact we have on these little people and their families and it’s such a blessing!
I spoke with another parent recently she said she was nervous about her daughter going to a mainstream kindy this year. She said her daughter is an amazing witness in the school yard, praying over kids who hurt themselves (and making the teachers pray with her!), singing ‘my God is so Big’ in the playground and when one of the kids said he didn’t like her singing that song, she said ‘well, you don’t have to listen!’ This is what ‘faith like a child’ looks like and it’s such an encouragement and challenge to us!
I want to pass on to all the kids church leaders – and especially those working with the little ones, to be encouraged! You are making a lifelong impact on kids, their families and their community.
Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, thank you! xoxoxo
Photo supplied by FBurgey