Sunday I visited a small church in the area hoping to see their children's musical. The musical had been canceled, but I did enjoy visiting in children's church. During welcome time in the service a girl approached me. I had noticed her earlier mostly because I realized she had grown almost six inches since I had last seen her. She asked me, "Do you remember me?" I did remember her, although her name did not come to me until after I was on my way home.
I haven't seen this girl in almost a year. I met her in 2008 at camp. Honestly, I didn't really interact with her much, besides her spraining her ankle during one of the rec games one day. Between visiting her church after camp and talking to her at the church Thanksgiving potluck I learned quite a bit about her and was able to encourage her quite a bit. She was baptized the year after camp, and although I couldn't be there, I was happy to hear about her decision to follow Christ.
What is the point of this story? Even the shortest encounters with a child can change their lives. Who can you encourage today?
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Topaz Ranch Estates Kid's Club
I wanted to share this story about Topaz Ranch Estates Church Kid's Club. Topaz Ranch Estates is located in Wellington, NV.
The club began out of the realization for a need of children’s ministry in their area. At first people said that children’s ministry was pointless, that no kids lived in the area. Because two buses come to the area, church members realized that was not the case.
In 2008 Larisa Craig and a mission team began to canvas the area for VBS. The first night one child showed up. Since then Larisa has returned to work with kids club, which has expanded to meet twice a month from 5:00-7:00. They begin with games. Then they do an activity, this week everyone got to dye Easter eggs and take the eggs home. After the eggs were dyed, Larisa taught a Bible study on Issac and Abraham, and then told the story of Jesus being sacrificed.
The group serves dinner at each kids club, realizing that this may be one of the few decent meals some of the kids have. Sierra, one of the 11 year old girls was talking to a friend, telling her she needs to come to Sunday School. I asked why she liked Sunday School. She said learning about Jesus was awesome, and so were the crafts!
Please be praying for this group as they continue to reach out to their community.
The club began out of the realization for a need of children’s ministry in their area. At first people said that children’s ministry was pointless, that no kids lived in the area. Because two buses come to the area, church members realized that was not the case.
In 2008 Larisa Craig and a mission team began to canvas the area for VBS. The first night one child showed up. Since then Larisa has returned to work with kids club, which has expanded to meet twice a month from 5:00-7:00. They begin with games. Then they do an activity, this week everyone got to dye Easter eggs and take the eggs home. After the eggs were dyed, Larisa taught a Bible study on Issac and Abraham, and then told the story of Jesus being sacrificed.
The group serves dinner at each kids club, realizing that this may be one of the few decent meals some of the kids have. Sierra, one of the 11 year old girls was talking to a friend, telling her she needs to come to Sunday School. I asked why she liked Sunday School. She said learning about Jesus was awesome, and so were the crafts!
Please be praying for this group as they continue to reach out to their community.
Monday, March 22, 2010
Purpose in the Church
Yesterday I visited a church that was having a testimony day. Church members had been asked to pray about their purpose in the church. Several people stood up to speak, and had some great testimonies!
Two testimonies came from the youth group. These testimonies really struck me.
The first girl stood up and said that she had not been able to be in church the past few weeks, but her purpose was to learn and to be an example to others.
The next girl, not quite 13 walked up to the front bouncing nervously. She said, "My purpose is to invite friends to church." Then she bounced back to her seat.
The statements struck me for a few reason. First of all, these were teenagers who didn't see the challenge for the adults in the church only. Also, I know that the younger girl goes to a Christian school, something that would tempt many to just assume her friends know Christ.
Thank God for teenagers who are seeking to live for Christ! May they be encouraged in the same way that they have encouraged me.
Two testimonies came from the youth group. These testimonies really struck me.
The first girl stood up and said that she had not been able to be in church the past few weeks, but her purpose was to learn and to be an example to others.
The next girl, not quite 13 walked up to the front bouncing nervously. She said, "My purpose is to invite friends to church." Then she bounced back to her seat.
The statements struck me for a few reason. First of all, these were teenagers who didn't see the challenge for the adults in the church only. Also, I know that the younger girl goes to a Christian school, something that would tempt many to just assume her friends know Christ.
Thank God for teenagers who are seeking to live for Christ! May they be encouraged in the same way that they have encouraged me.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Can I Be Baptized?
In a moment of bravery and technological difficulty I decided last night instead of our normal Missionary story at Kids Discipleship (we rotate between Bible stories and missionary stories) we would just have a question and answer time. We did set certain rules over what questions could be asked (Bible and missions questions only).
One child asked how many fruits of the Spirit she could have. Another girl asked how God made people. A boy asked why we have to be close to God all the time.
One girl, E, raised her hand and said, "I'm nine years old now. When can I get baptized?" I told her that baptism isn't about how old a person is, but if a person has made a decision to follow Jesus. Through the thread of questions I had several opportunities to share the gospel in different ways.
I can honestly say that I don't know if this girl is ready to be baptized. Typically I try to look at why the kids are asking to be baptized. Are their friends getting baptized? Did someone younger than them get baptized and they think that because they are older they need to take the step? Are they curious about what baptism is like? Have they truly made a decision to follow Christ and live for Him?
I shared with the girls father about her question and he promised to follow up and talk to her, something that can be difficult (but not impossible) when several kids are in a classroom. I will also try to talk to her later in the week and see where she is coming from in her question. I have seen a little bit of a change in her life, but I am concerned with her question about age related to baptism.
Please be praying that E would understand the gospel message and would make a decision to respond to this message.
One child asked how many fruits of the Spirit she could have. Another girl asked how God made people. A boy asked why we have to be close to God all the time.
One girl, E, raised her hand and said, "I'm nine years old now. When can I get baptized?" I told her that baptism isn't about how old a person is, but if a person has made a decision to follow Jesus. Through the thread of questions I had several opportunities to share the gospel in different ways.
I can honestly say that I don't know if this girl is ready to be baptized. Typically I try to look at why the kids are asking to be baptized. Are their friends getting baptized? Did someone younger than them get baptized and they think that because they are older they need to take the step? Are they curious about what baptism is like? Have they truly made a decision to follow Christ and live for Him?
I shared with the girls father about her question and he promised to follow up and talk to her, something that can be difficult (but not impossible) when several kids are in a classroom. I will also try to talk to her later in the week and see where she is coming from in her question. I have seen a little bit of a change in her life, but I am concerned with her question about age related to baptism.
Please be praying that E would understand the gospel message and would make a decision to respond to this message.
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