For Children's Ministry Day, the objective was two-fold. First, we were going to make Valentines and pass them out at one of our local nursing homes. Loving on shut-ins is an important ministry. When we were talking to the kids today about it, James told them that we may be the only person to say "hi" to someone today who isn't paid to be there. Nursing home residents often feel isolated and forgotten. But it wasn't just about the residents. The second objective was to teach our children one facet of ministry. After we assembled our valentines, we practiced what to do and what to say. Knock on door, enter, if asleep .... if awake ... It was intentional discipleship.
Our kiddos did a great job!
The elementary kids came to our house at 1pm to assemble the valentines: a construction paper heart that read "Jesus Loves You - from Providence Baptist" attached to a packet of tissues.
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| R totally rocked taping the hearts on! |
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| H tried his best. |
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| K was super excited to have her picture made. |
Then we headed to the Lewis County Nursing Home
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| Our little group |
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| H talking to Mrs. Lola |
One thing I'm always amazed at is how great James does with the elderly. Ministering to the elderly is not my forte. Give my kids anytime! But James rocks this - he is patient, he listens to them, talks to share, encourages, etc... It is truly a gift.
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| Mr. D (a new member) and his wife came to help us. |
All this ministering made us hungry so we headed to a local pizza place for ice cream. Because nothing says ice cream like below freezing temperatures!
All in all, I'd say our first official Children's Ministry Day was a success!
I remember when in seminary my friend, who is a missionary-kid, said that her dad told her his only regret in ministry was not including his children more. James and I feel strongly that children need to learn how to serve and minister to people. Kids need to be ministered to and they need to minister. That way, when they are older and are asked to do something they will be confident to do it because it won't be so foreign to chip in where needed. Pray for our sweet kiddos at church: H, AG, J, R, D, G, H, R, and K that they will learn to love Jesus and serve him alone!
You shall therefore impress these words of mine on your heart and on your soul;
and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontals on your forehead.
You shall teach them to your sons, talking of them when you sit in your house
and when you walk along the road and when you lie down and when you rise up.
You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates,…
-Deuteronomy 11:19-20
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