This past month, our junior leaders have been making a positive impact in Kids Church! For those unfamiliar, the majority of our junior leaders are teenagers who once attended kids church themselves and now serve with the generation behind them. They bring so much energy and creativity to our ministry, and the younger kids look up to them.
This month, our youth boy leaders took their creativity to the next level by designing two games that tied perfectly into our lessons for the elementary-aged kids. Their dedication and enthusiasm were enjoyable to witness.
One of the games they set up was a mock laser obstacle course. Using colored yarn as "laser beams," the kids had to navigate through the course without touching the beams. The network of beams represented the challenges and distractions one faces in life that can pull us away from our relationship with Jesus. It was a fantastic way to help the kids understand the importance of staying focused on God, even when the enemy and the things of this world pose as obstacles we can get tangled up in.
The following week, some of the youth designed a giant life-size game board. This game was tied to a lesson about how Satan, known as the Father of Lies, tries to trip us up and keep us in bondage by convincing us to believe certain lies. The game challenged the kids to identify lies and combat them with truth rooted in the Bible. For each lie they debunked, they earned a gold coin as a reward. It was great to see the kids learning about biblical truth in an interactive way.
In addition to the creativity of our youth boy leaders, our junior girl leaders have also been shining in remarkable ways. Many are developing into strong teachers, capable of engaging with different personalities and learners. They bring tenderness and care in their interactions with the children, ensuring that every child feels seen and valued. We have a couple of children at church who need more one-on-one assistance, and some of these junior leaders have truly excelled in using their gifts to help these kids succeed. Their patience and dedication have been a blessing to see, and their impact on the kids is immeasurable.
At Beacon Church, we are committed to building a strong mentorship pipeline. Seeing our junior leaders step up and pour into the next generation is a testament to the power of generational modeling and training. We are not just raising leaders for tomorrow; we are equipping them to lead today. As we continue to invest in our youth and empower them to lead, we are reminded of the importance of mentorship and discipleship within the church. Thank you to all our junior leaders for your hard work and creativity. You are making a difference, and we can’t wait to see how God continues to work through you!
Carolyn Wentzel
Children’s Pastor