Jesus said, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel…"  Some people wonder if kids can really accomplish this task or if they should wait until they are older to begin doing what Jesus asked us to do. However, I believe that when Jesus  said this, he meant it for all believers–that includes kids. 

We have a great group of very talented and eager kids.  Every week  at our Kid’s In Training class (KIT Team) on Sunday night they are taught about evangelism.  They are being trained in drama, puppets, worship and in sharing their personal testimony.  They are also being trained to pray, read their Bibles and journal in a daily quiet time with the Lord.  Statistics tell us that kids who have this type of training and are able use their gifts and talents for the Lord in ministry tend to stay strong and vital in their Christian walk. They also tend to stay plugged into their church.  As a Children’s Pastor, this is one of my highest goals for the children I serve.

We are very excited to announce that in May we are taking our Kids In Training (KIT) Team on a mission’s trip.  We will be going to Valdez, Alaska, to partner with Pastors’ Carl and Lucia Hedman to conduct a children’s outreach for the children of Valdez .  This will give us an opportunity to put into practice all that we have been learning and we pray that many children will come to Lord as a result.  Please pray for our KIT team and our leaders as we get ready to "Go into all the world and preach the Gospel…"

It’s Super Bowl Sub time!  The subs will be assembled on Saturday morning and can be picked up on Saturday from 3:00 to 5:00 pm.  All the proceeds of the Super Bowl Sub Sales goes to the Children’s Mission’s Fund to be used for an upcoming missions trip.  We want to thank everyone who purchased subs in support of our kids.  Enjoy!

Are you a football fan?  If so, you know that the Super Bowl is only days away.  I am sure that the scenario at your house is somewhat like this:  invite some friends over, put the game on the big screen, and chow down on some great food!  If that is your plan, let me suggest a great way to enjoy the game and help missions.  Our kids are selling Super Bowl subs.  We have a choice of ham, turkey and a combo with cheese and all the extras.  They are very economical and tasty too! 

If you want to help our kids raise money for missions but don’t need the subs, you can buy them and donate toward Bread Ministry which provides food for the homeless.  Just tell your little salesperson that you would like to donate your sub to Bread Ministry!  What a wonderful way to bless someone less fortunate.

All the proceeds of our sales go to our children’s missions fund to help with expenses for future missions trips.  The deadline for purchasing the subs is Monday, January 26th.  Our kids are having a contest to see who can sell the most subs.  There will be some great prizes awarded for the top sellers! So, don’t forget to purchase your Super Bowl Sub soon!

It’s only a few more days until Superbowl Sunday, that hallowed day that all football fans yearn to see.  However, there is also something very important happening on that same day!  It is Quarterback Sunday in Kid’s Church.  It’s the day when we give our quarters back to be used by our missionaries around the world!  It is amazing what just a little bit of change can do to help people around the world learn about the good news that Jesus loves them and gave His life so that theirs could be changed forever. 

So, encourage the boys and girls  to bring their quarters back to Jesus on February 1st, BGMC Sunday.   Thanks for your support.

Here at MCA we are blessed to have a wonderful event coming up.  The Holy Spirit Conference will be held January 11 - 14.  We will not only have wonderful services for the adults, we will have special services each night for our kids. 

Do children need to be empowered by the Holy Spirit?  Absolutely.  They need the Spirit working and moving in their lives just as much as any adult.  Many adults wonder if kids really understand the working and moving of the Holy Spirit.  I can tell you that they are able to understand some things and there are some aspects they don’t always understand.  I can say that for myself too.  However, I have watched many children over the years respond to the gentle nudging of the Holy Spirit.  I have observed them as they feel the presence of the Lord and are touched and filled with all that God has for them.  It is one of the most exciting times in their spiritual lives!  The Holy Spirit loves to minister to everyone that opens his heart, including children.

I hope that you will attend the conference and bring your children.  Sunday night our MCA team will minister to the children.  Monday and Tuesday evenings we will have special guests that will minister.  Wednesday night we will have our Mpact and Royal Ranger programs as usual.  Each evening we will have nursery and preschool also.  Make it a priority for your family to start out the year spiritually uplifted and empowered. 

I am so excited!  Christmas is in just 2 more days.  Most of the big parties are past and now it is just looking forward to actually celebrating with family and friends.  Last minute gifts are being bought, food is being prepared, school is out and the kids are antsy, looking forward to opening those presents.  It is a wonderful and hopeful time of the year.   A baby always reminds us of hopes, dreams and potential.  That is what Jesus brought to a world without hope.  He brought the dream of having an abundant life on this earth filled with His love.  He also brought the potential for us to take our ordinary existence and make it something extraordinary for Him!

Happy Birthday Jesus!  You are the best gift we have ever been given.  We love you!

This month my son will turn 30.  I can’t believe it.  I can’t be old enough to have a child of that age!  But, it’s true.  As I reflect on being a parent (and now a grandparent of 5 adorable children) I realize that I don’t remember all the presents I gave my kids at Christmas over the years.  Just a few are memorable but for the most part they are long gone.  However, there are some gifts that I have given that continue to keep on giving.   They aren’t the latest computers, video games, dolls or bicycles.  These gifts cannot be bought with money and will never break or get old.  That is why I am recommending these 3 gifts to give your child this Christmas and throughout the year.

1.  The first gift is time.  In kid language love is spelled T-I-M-E.  Make sure that you take time to connect with your child each day.  Give him/her your undivided attention, without any distractions, for even just a few minutes each day.  It could be awkward at first but as you start communicating, it will become easier and it will pave the way for good communication during those rocky teenage years.

2.  The second gift is prayer.  Pray for your child each day.  Pray for him/her and with him/her.  Let your child see that the answers to life’s questions and problems lie with the Lord. This will prepare him for facing problems in adulthood. A great way to pray for your child is to pray the scriptures. Ask the Lord to give you specific scripture to pray and to hold on to during difficult times.  3 of my favorite scriptures to pray are:

Psalm 1:3 - He (put your child’s name in there) will be like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields it’s fruit in season and who leaf does not wither.  Whatever (he/she) does prospers.

Philippians 1:6 - He who began a good work in (your child’s name) is faithful to complete it.

Isaiah 44:3 - For I will pour water on the thirsty land and streams on the dry ground.  I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendents.

3.  The third gift is to make it a priority to see that your child receives good spiritual training.  No responsible parent would feed their child only occasionally when it fits into the schedule.  No responsible parent would keep their child out of school.  A responsible parent will do whatever it takes to make sure his/her child is healthy and happy.  We are three part beings.  We have a physical body, emotions and a spirit.   Most parents do their best to take care of the first two parts.  But, many parents neglect or even ignore their child’s spiritual needs.  Statistics say that most people receive Jesus as their Savior when they are very young, under age 14.  So, make it a priority to bring your children to church, send them to camp, talk with them about spiritual things, have a devotional time with them and be a living testimony of what it means to be a follower of Jesus.

You can’t buy these gifts, but they will cost you something.  You will be so glad you invested.  These gifts will last for an eternity!

Last night our MCA kids presented their Christmas Production, All I Want for Christmas!  It was a smashing success and fun for all.  Our kids are some of the cutest ever and they are extremely talented.  Of course, I’m prejudiced, I love each and every one!

I want to say thanks again for all those who made it possible.  Thank you Teresa Kress, Lisa Meier, Mari Nordby and all of our wonderful tech crew.  You are blessing! Thanks to all the parents who spent lots of hours bringing their children to practice and listening to their lines and songs over and over again.  Your support of Children’s Ministries means a lot to me. 

Enjoy these lovely photos of a memorable night!

Last Sunday in Kid’s Church we were talking about what we are thankful for.  Some kids said things like video games, Ipods, and computers.  But most, I am happy to say, were happy for the basics of life like food, family and shelter.  I am reminded that even in difficult times in our nation we are blessed beyond what most of the world can even imagine. 

I am happy and thankful for every material thing God has given me, but most of all I am thankful that God is who He is, our Abba Father!  Because of who He is we are blessed and well cared for as His dear children.  We also get the joy and sharing his love with people in our neighborhood and around the world!  I pray that you and your family will have a wonderful Thanksgiving.  Take some time to talk with your kids about how blessed you are.  I love you all and am thankful for you!