Bring on the Kids!

Spring/Summer 2015\ - Kids of summerI came to faith through a children’s program. A significant number of my years in ministry have been spent working with children and training others to work with them. So to say that I believe that children’s ministry is important is “gospel” truth—one confirmed by the numbers. The Barna Group, which gathers statistics on many aspects of religion in North America, noted in 2004 that, “…nearly half of all Americans who accept Jesus Christ as their Savior do so before reaching the age of 13 (43%), and that two out of three born again Christians (64%) made that commitment to Christ before their 18th birthday…Barna noted that these figures are consistent with similar studies it has conducted during the past twenty years.”  The Canadian numbers are likely similar so it goes without saying that children’s ministry is vital.  

In his weekly email on September 8, 2014, Fellowship President Steve Jones shared some stories that came from our Fellowship churches that highlight the need to “bring on the kids.” Here are two excerpts from that email.

“We ran two weeks of full-day day camp for children from JK-Grade 5 and had 42 children say “yes” to Jesus! We ran only one week of full-day Youth Camp for Grades 6-8, and had five girls say “yes” to Jesus! I spoke at Pleasant Bay Camp and had 24 children say “yes” to Jesus! A total of 71 children in the month of July said “yes” to Jesus! I thank God that I could play a part in it.”

            —Pastor Eric Veen, Bethel Baptist, Strathroy, ON

“About four years ago, we had a look at ways to reach our community. We decided to focus our efforts on the elementary school about two blocks down the road. Some of the ways we have sought to build a bridge with them have been to put on a Christmas dinner for the school, with turkey and all the trimmings! We volunteered in their Breakfast Club and offered to provide a BBQ for their school carnival. Because we have built a trusting relationship, they allow us to pass out advertisements for our summer programs such as Soccer Camp, Summer Day Camp (VBS), and Sunnybrae Bible Camp. They also allow us to invite kids to our Junior Youth and after school Kids Clubs. The children are starting to talk about and recognize us as a safe place, and a place that cares about them. Many of the kids are coming to different activities and we have a chance to share the Gospel. I believe these efforts can really make a difference in kids’ lives.”

            —Aaron Wilson, Emmanuel Baptist, Vernon, BC

Pray for our congregations as they reach out this summer in ministry to children. Pray too for God’s wisdom in designing creative ways by which your congregation can minister to your community through its outreach to children. It’s worth it!