The Plenty Express

Over the last year, I've felt strongly to rally us together to reassert the primary importance of ministering to our children. Last weekend marked the launch of a new season for us and for our kids. The "Plenty Express" has pulled out of the station! Thanks to all of you who gave so generously of your money, time, energy, and creativity to make it happen!

With this new theme for our hallways and classrooms, I'm asking Jesus to do something fresh in my heart. With every toot of that train whistle, I'm wanting Him to awaken me and open my eyes to see our children the way He does.

The truth is that a child is just as capable of walking with Jesus as I am. The Bible is just as applicable to their young lives as it is to mine. All the promises are for them, too.

The other day when I overheard my three year old asking a little girl on the playground if she had asked Jesus into her heart yet, I was reminded that the Kingdom is age-blind. Note the distinct lack of age-requirements on these verses:

But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me… to the end of the earth. Acts 1:8

Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do… John 14:12

So I'm asking the Lord to break up the fallow ground in my heart where I've allowed Children's Ministry to be seen as babysitting. I want to be a wise steward and a fisher of men. Nowhere is the return on our investment greater and the fishing hole better than when we're ministering to kids and youth.

If we will invest in them, instruct them, and give them opportunities, our kids will quickly discover the joy and satisfaction of becoming living, walking Temples of the Holy Spirit.