I have been serving in children's ministry for over 35 years. The time has gone by so fast.
Do I ever regret saying "yes" to serving in children's ministry?
Just like everyone who serves in children's ministry for a long period of time, I have had times of weariness, discouragement, and frustration. Yes. There have been times when I wondered if it was worth it.
But looking back and even now, I wouldn't trade serving in children's ministry for anything.
I am so thankful that I said "yes" so many years ago.
Why did I say "yes?"
Here are a few reasons.
God used someone to invite me to serve in children's ministry.
God sent someone to personally invite me to serve in children's ministry. He does that you know...He works through other people to help confirm the calling in your life.
I sensed the call of God.
Speaking of a calling...God began to deal with me about serving in children's ministry. At first, I refused. But God wouldn't let me rest until I said "yes" to His will. If serving in children's ministry had just been a "career" choice, I would have quit a long time ago. But it wasn't a "career" choice, it was a calling on my life from God.
I understood that Children's ministry is the greatest mission field in the world.
There are billions of children on this planet. Together they make up the greatest mission field ever. The harvest is great...but the workers are few. God put a burden in my heart to serve in this great mission field.
I realized I could see fruit now and later when I serve in children's ministry.
Yes. I begin to see fruit come from the lives of children whom God drew to Himself. But as I grew older, I began to see the children I reached reached grow up and continue serving Jesus as adults. I also begin to see their children come to Jesus. When you serve in children's ministry, you will see fruit now and years from now if you stick with it.
I discovered I could reach entire families when I serve in children's ministry.
When you reach a child you change a life. But when you reach parents you change entire families. I begin to see dads and moms come to Christ. I began to see the kids grow up and raise their children to love and serve Jesus.
It's fun.
It's a blast serving in children's ministry. There is never a dull moment. If you show up without a program, don't worry...the kids will come up with one for you...right? Some of the funniest things I have experienced have happened while serving in children's ministry.
I found I could become part of a group of like minded people.
The people I served with became family to me. As we serve together, our relationships deepen. We pray for each other. We laugh together. We cry together. We eat together. We get together and have fun outside of church services. We celebrate the wins together. We care for each other when someone is going through a tough time.
I realized that eternity is at stake.
So much is on the line. I saw that the vast majority of people come to Jesus before the age of 18. Chances of them coming to Jesus after that drops significantly. I realized that I must reach kids now, while their hearts are still tender and open to the things of God.
What could be more important than giving your life to reaching kids and families.
Perhaps you are reading this now and God is dealing with you about serving in children's ministry or giving more of yourself to reaching the next generation.
Will you say "yes" to His calling?
Will you look at the harvest and pray about giving your life to reaching children?
Will you renew your heart and passion to serve in children's ministry?
Perhaps, you are reading this and you have been thinking about quitting children's ministry. Don't give up. God still wants to use you to reach more kids and families. Ask Him to renew your passion for the next generation.
So...what caused you to say "yes" to serving in children's ministry? We'd love to hear your story. Share it with us in the comment section below.
