There's no doubt about it - the presence of a caring volunteer has a positive impact in the life of a child.
It only takes one person to help a child grow up to love Jesus.
If you asked a child in your ministry if there is anyone at church that cares about them, what would they say? Would they name anyone specifically?
It's not cool buildings that leaves a lifetime impact in the life of a child.
It's not fun activities that impacts a child.
Lifetime impact doesn't come from playing games at church.
Lifetime impact happens when a child knows there is a caring volunteer that will be waiting for them at church.
Impact happens when a child is known by a caring volunteer.
The child will have someone at church who knows their name.
The child will have someone at church that knows how they are doing in school.
The child will know someone at church knows about any struggles or frustrations they are having.
The child will know someone at church knows where they are in their spiritual journey.
Impact happens when a child is prayed for by a caring volunteer.
Prayer is a powerful thing. When volunteers cover children in prayer, it makes an eternal impact.
Jesus told Simon Peter this in Luke 22.
“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail."
We know the evil one is out to kill, steal and destroy the next generation. But just as Jesus prayed for Simon, when we pray for the children in our ministry, it makes the difference.
Impact happens when a caring volunteer helps kids have a higher attendance pattern at church.
Every church I know is struggling with children having low attendance patterns. The norm is now once every three weeks or even less.
Volunteers can make an impact in a child's attendance pattern.
They can impact a child's attendance pattern by sending them a "missed you" card in the mail.
They can impact a child's attendance pattern by calling the parents and checking on the family.
They can impact a child's attendance pattern by encouraging the child to be faithful.
Impact happens not only for the child, but for their parents as well.
Kids don't drive themselves to church. Caring volunteers can impact an entire family through ministering to their child.
They can connect with parents at church for a few minutes.
They can distribute resources that parents can use to disciple their child....which is a double impact in the life of the child and his or her parents.
They can pray not only for the child, but for their parents as well.
Simply put...impact can happen when children's volunteers are intentional about including parents as much as possible at church.
What an opportunity we have to impact children for Christ. Will you be that person?
