I remember when I became pregnant with our first child. It was such an exciting time, and I was solely focused on providing the life I desired for my child. Being a teacher, I had a heart for children, but I had never actually been involved in our children’s ministry at church. I was on the worship team and a music teacher, this was my focus—music, worship.
Children’s Ministry: My Plans vs. God’s Plans
Everything changed about 6 months after having my first child. The Lord gripped my heart with a burning desire to see the children truly KNOW HIM, To Experience HIM, To Love HIM, To Desire HIM…. I could go on and on. It was something that consumed my thoughts and prayer day and night. I know it was birthed out of the many times I would spend looking into my son’s eyes and pleading to the Lord for something greater for him. The times I would cry out to the Lord as I prayed for Him to grip my son’s heart at a young age.
Be careful what you pray for!
I guess it’s true when people say, “Be careful what you pray for, God might raise you up to be the answer to that prayer!” It’s true. He really does do that. The things I cried out to God for, were burned onto my heart. Every time I saw another child, my heart cried out for them in the same way I cried out for my son. It was during this time in my life that God gave me a vision for Children’s Ministry.
God’s Confirmation:
God was expanding my vision for what was possible in our children. He was answering—‘YES, it will happen-you will see the day.’ This was so exciting to hear. But even more exciting was when I learned He had put similar desires on the hearts of a few other young mothers in my church. That’s when I knew, God was making a move. We were either going to say Yes to the call or miss it entirely. We talked to the Children’s Ministry leaders at our church, and amazingly God was calling them into different ministries at the time. They had been praying for others to be called into taking the ministry over. (isn’t this how God works) So, the journey began. Three young mothers who God called to lead a children’s ministry. No experience, just the Holy Spirit leading the way!
The Journey of the Call to Children’s Ministry
Maybe you have a similar story as to how you were called into children’s ministry, or maybe you don’t feel called at all and you’re trying to fill a void in your church. Whatever the reason, God is taking you on a journey. If you’re willing, it can be one of the best times of growth in your relationship with God. The key is—let Him lead. You are just the facilitator–the messenger. He’s the one with the message and the know how to deliver it in the right way, and at the right time.
If you are on this journey of leading children’s ministry, you will need encouragement and resources along the way.