“Let the little children come…”
We are in a really exciting season at church as we welcome new families to church all the time and we are seeing growth in our Kerith Kids - not just numerically, but also in how they are growing deeper with God! We’ve asked our Kids Coordinator Millie to write this blog to help keep us all ‘in the loop’ with her vision for our Kids and Families ministry in Farnborough, so we can be supporting her in prayer. Over to Millie…
This year I felt God speak to me and I really feel stirred to help the children have personal encounters with Jesus. Of course, I want the children to come to church to have fun and get excited over a biscuit (or two!) as we know that children enjoying church is really important. However much more than this, I hope for them to personally know Jesus, and not just hear or learn about him. C.S. Lewis said "Children are not a distraction from important work, they are the most important work". I believe it isn't just the kids team’s responsibility to help raise the children spiritually, it is a whole church family’s responsibility. So I am praying we all cheerlead the children to have encounters with Jesus, whether that’s by getting involved practically or by praying for them (or both!).
Firstl off let me update you on what we have been up to recently in Kerith Kids on Sundays. We are growing in number each week in kids church and it's been amazing to see all the rooms being filled with the sound of laughter and fun being had by all. We recently had a week of prayer as a church and the children were given an activity sheet to take home which had a guide on what to pray each day with their families, and an activity to get involved in. We had great feedback on this from parents and children, and it was a great way to help families to creating space to pray together. We are also following the Romans series, and the children are really enjoying it. Each week in kids church the children have the chance to worship, pray together and have fun by playing games and taking part in crafts and activities. Serving in kids church is such a huge privilege and watching the children grow closer to Jesus is so special.
You may have noticed that during the past few weeks there have been children staying in the adult meeting. Sometimes this may be a choice and they are most welcome! But more often than not, it’s due to us reaching capacity in kids. You may not realise we operate a safe ‘adult to child’ ratio in kids church - this varies by age group, but the amazing thing is that just one team member could enable up to eight children to attend a kids session! As we are growing in number of children, we of course also need to also grow in team. There are many different roles within the kids team, planning the craft, leading the games, leading with the teaching. If you feel like you are gifted in any of these areas and wish to serve - or even if you don’t feel gifted, but you just want to enable more children (and their families!) to access church and ‘find their way back to God’ - please do get in contact with me by emailing millie.mcgowan@kerith.church.
Points for prayer
Children to encounter Jesus for themselves and chose to follow Him.
More team to enable this to happen for more children!
Some of you might have heard the exciting news, that we are starting a Sparklers parent and toddler group in Farnborough! We are aiming to launch on 26th April, and run every Friday during term time, from 9.30 to 11am. We want to build relationships with the community and meet their needs, while getting to share the love of Jesus with them. As we all know, church isn't just about a Sunday at 10am and toddler groups are a great way to share the gospel with others. If you have a passion for building relationships with the community and sharing the gospel, and could get involved in any way, please do speak to me on a Sunday morning or email me.
Points for prayer
That people turn up to Sparklers and feel a warm welcome.
Please pray for myself and the team as we begin to share Jesus with those who come along.
For us to see whole families give their lives to Jesus!
We are hosting an Easter Families Trail experience again this year. This is an interactive experience of the Easter story with different stations set up around the building, focussing on the different parts of the story. There will be activities for families to experience at each station and even some hot cross buns! It’s is aimed at children who are 11 and under, so please do come along if you have children of that age, and invite any other families too. It is a great way to share the Easter story with local families. You can sign up for your free ticket here.
Of course, things like this take a whole team of people to make happen. I’m so grateful for those who served last year, and it would be a great blessing if you could help me this year. There are lots of different areas in which you could serve; set up and set down, refreshments or crafts, as well as managing a station within the trail and being around to chat and welcome people. You don’t have to be on the Kids Team to get involved! If you’d like to get invloved, once again please get in touch.
Points for prayer
For many local families to come along to the Easter Trail
For people to ask questions and want to explore faith beyond this day!
Thank you for your ongoing support for our children and families, and for me personally. Your prayers really make a difference!
Millie, Farnborough Kids Coordinator.