KidMin Stories & Inspiration Archives - Page 4 of 7

Celebrate the One

10/25/201310/25/2013 Kathie Phillips 3 Comments

Photo Credit: justwhatjessisupto.blogspot.com

Like many other churches, we started our ministry year still praying for God to send committed volunteers to serve in our Children’s Ministry. Each week, God has provided for our needs but as the ministry leader, it is my job to ensure that screened, trained, committed, Christ-following volunteers show up to care for and teach the children He brings to us.

A few weeks in to the new ministry year, I personally emailed 31 people who I thought would be a good match for our ministry. (I scoured our church database and looked for people who might be a good fit based on their ability, passion and spiritual gifts.) I shared the vision of the ministry, how God has blessed us with an abundance of children this year and how I felt that God placed them on my heart to invite them to our Children’s Ministry team.

Within a few days, I heard back from 6 people – 3 “no’s – this is not a good season for me”; 1 “let me pray about it” and 2 “I’m interested – I want to learn more.” I was so excited not only about the 3 promising responses but about all 6 responses. This told me two things:

1. People really do read my emails; and

2. They considered, possibly for even a brief moment, my request (even though some declined).

When I shared this news with my CM Leadership Team, one very sweet team member said, “How I appreciate your excitement when the total reply rate was only 19%!” Again, this told me two things:

1. I have some really smart people on my team – I wouldn’t even have thought about calculating any type of percentage; and

2. An excited leader can energize a team member, even when results are less than desired.

When responding back to my treasured friend, I said, “If God sends one, I’m excited!” [We have since recruited 8 new volunteers to our team!]

There is power in one. Celebrating a one-year old’s birthday is often a big deal, but how come we don’t celebrate more “ones“?One example from the Bible come to mind when I think of “one”:

Luke 15:1-7 tells us of the story of the lost sheep. It reads in part:

“If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he will joyfully carry it home on his shoulders. When he arrives, he will call together his friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.’ In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away! (Luke 15:3-7, NLT, bold and italics mine)

This passage of scripture reminded me how important it is for me to be a leader who celebrates the “one“. The one leader who arrives early. The one volunteer who stays late. The one child who is more energetic than the others. The one child with special needs. The one child who savors every word that you say. The one volunteer who serves when life circumstances are difficult. The one volunteer who remembers to ask how you’re doing. The one family who shares a story of how what you do has impacted them. The one volunteer who over-prepares. The one child whose faith story reminds you why you give your life to ministry week after week.

Be the type of person – Mom, Dad, leader, volunteer – who celebrates the one.

Consider leaving me a comment below and tell me how can you celebrate the “one” this week – at home, at work, in ministry!

*Use of a photo is not an endorsement of the original user’s website or views.

What More Could I Have Done?

03/15/201303/15/2013 Kathie Phillips 4 Comments

For the past several weeks, I have seen several friends and ministry colleagues come under serious spiritual attack. While each circumstance is different, they are all trusting God for the next steps after seeing dreams become shattered pieces of what could’ve or should’ve been.

Earlier this week, I read a passage of scripture that made me ponder the feeling of defeat. The passage was Isaiah 5:1-7.

“What more could I have done to cultivate a rich harvest?

Why did my vineyard give me wild grapes when I expected sweet ones?”

Isaiah 5:4

Have you been in a place like that, a place of disappointment and heartbreak? Have you wondered why all of your hard work returned a ‘loss’ rather than a ‘win’? I have, both personally and professionally. After all, none of us work to fail. We invest and work hard to see results – favorable results.

One thing that I remind my children’s ministry team is that while we can plant the seed, it’s up to God to grow it in His time. We might not see the results right away; we may never see the results. But that doesn’t mean that we should give up.

If you feel like throwing in the towel because an event that took weeks of planning flopped, leaders that you invested in turned against you, a door was closed, you don’t get the recognition that you feel you deserve, you were removed from a cherished ministry position or job, the child you raised in the church is no longer interested in following Christ, or you aren’t as far along in life as you thought you should be, don’t give up. Be encouraged: God will give you the strength you need to endure every season of your life, the highs and the lows. Lean into Him, do what He has called you to do and trust Him for the results.

What are you trusting God for right now? Do you believe that He has your best interest at heart?

{Guest Post}: I Never Imagined – Inner City KidMin (Part 3)

02/06/201302/06/2013 Kathie Phillips

Note from Kathie: I met Colleen Smith at an Orange-sponsored Chick-fil-A meet up last year and I was so fascinated by her story. I knew that one day, I’d love to share her story with others. Colleen shares additional insight into her story of inner city Children’s Ministry today in the last of 3 parts. You can read Part 1 here and Part 2 here. I pray you’ll be both blessed and inspired.

Kathie Phillips: Thank you so much for sharing your incredible story with us. Can you share a little bit more about the ministry that you do through your church directly in your neighborhood?

Colleen Smith: The ministry that takes place consistently within my neighborhood is a Wednesday evening kids program called Kids Club. We meet every Wednesday evening from 6:45-8:30 with anywhere from 20-50 kids, depending on the night. We have a service (complete with worship), a time of teaching and small group time. This is the place where the kids get to hear about Jesus, hang out in a safe place, and watch the lives of other Christ-followers. They also get to ask questions and explore what having Christ in their lives can and will look like. I also host various winter break, spring break and summer camps along with the help of missions teams that come to Baltimore to partner with us in ministry.

There is a lot of unplanned ministry that happens as well, such as coffee with neighbors, lunch with neighborhood moms, Bible study with local teen and young adult girls, and dinners with Ms. Colleen at least twice a month. Almost weekly, my house becomes a revolving door of kids around 3 p.m.everyday, whether it’s to play basketball, chat or just hang out. Other ministries that I do include homeless outreach and a street outreach to prostitutes.

KP: Can you share how you, a Caucasian, have been received in your primarily African-American neighborhood?

CS: At first moving into the neighborhood was an adjustment for both myself and my neighbors. The kids warmed up quickly, but the parents had a difficult time at first. It’s hard when people think that you’re just moving into the neighborhood to change the world, but once they realized that was not my motive at all, they became my family. They realized that I was moving in to live life with them, to love them through the hard times and celebrate with them in the good times. I have also gained more grandparents, older brothers (aka: BODY GUARDS) and friends than I could have ever imagined. I get invited to family reunions, birthday parties and family events. Last year when I had my accident and spent months recovering from a head injury, I was taken care of by the people in my community. Quite honestly, I’ve been humbled and have learned more from them than I could probably ever teach them.

KP: What scripture verses have encouraged you when you feel down about the circumstances around you?

CS: Jeremiah 29:11- “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Deuteronomy 31:6 – “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”

Isaiah 41:10 – “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

These are just a few of the verses I lean into that have gotten me through some of the toughest times personally and in ministry!

KP: What advice would you give to those who feel God may be calling them to serve in inner city kidmin but may be afraid to do so?

CS: I would tell them to be open to what God wants them to do, but also spend lots of time in prayer. I spent years in prayer before God ever made any moves in my life. Don’t be scared about the plans God has for your life. He always knows what’s best for you! Also, find local inner city ministries and spend some time getting to know the ministries, volunteering and praying about what God would have for you.

Many thanks to Colleen Smith for sharing about the great work she is doing in Baltimore, Maryland, which by the way is home to our Super Bowl XLVII Champions, the Baltimore Ravens. 🙂

Is God asking you to step outside of your comfort zone in a particular area? What can you take away from Colleen’s story that might help you do that?

Originally from Wichita, Kansas Colleen Smith moved to Baltimore in 2001 to become a nanny. In 2003, she accepted Christ and her heart for the inner city began to develop. Over the past few years she’s quit her full-time job and raised support as a missionary to Baltimore City. These days you can find her living and serving in East Baltimore as the local missionary for Captivate Church (captivatechurch.com) She can be found online at www.colleensamantha.org as well as Facebook & Twitter. If you’d like more information on her ministry she can be contacted via email colleen@captivatechurch.com

{Guest Post}: I Never Imagined – Inner City KidMin (Part 2) (kidminspiration.com)
{Guest Post}: I Never Imagined – Inner City KidMin (Part 1) (kidminspiration.com)

{Guest Post}: I Never Imagined – Inner City KidMin (Part 2)

02/05/201302/05/2013 Kathie Phillips

Note from Kathie: I met Colleen Smith at an Orange-sponsored Chick-fil-A meet up last year and I was so fascinated by her story. I knew that one day, I’d love to share her story with others. Colleen shares her story of inner city Children’s Ministry today in the second of 3 parts. You can read Part 1 here. I pray you’ll be both blessed and inspired.

Over time I began to form even deeper relationships with Baltimore’s Homeless population, fall in love with prostitutes and deepen my fondness for inner city kids. For nearly four years I worked in West Baltimore–where I loved the people in what some would consider the worst parts of this city like Jesus loves me–with no boundaries and no conditions. Within that four years I still felt that something was missing in my heart. Night after night I would drive out of the neighborhood, cross over a few streets and be in my cozy and comfortable neighborhood, where it was “safe.” That wasn’t what I desired in my heart, and after much prayer I quickly knew that wasn’t what God desired for me. Life began to change. Things were happening that made it clear there was change about to happen in my ministry life, a hard one–one that ended with me wondering what exactly it was God desired for my life. After three VERY long months of praying, it was evident that God desired for me to live in East Baltimore, in the middle of one of Baltimore’s “tough” communities. It was a place where most people wouldn’t bother to come, a place that as most people drive by they double-check their locks and sped past without batting an eye.

But for me this little home in the middle of Luzerne Ave has become home for me. It’s become a safe place. It’s become the spot for the kids to hang out. It’s become a home full of love, prayer and Jesus. This community has become my family. This is the place Jesus intended for me to be His hands and feet. This is the place where I would have my house raided by the police at 6 a.m. on a July morning. This is the place where I would pray every night for three young boys who attempted several times to break into my house. This is the place where I would find out that a ten year-old boy who I loved dearly committed suicide. This is the place where I would find love and give love. This is the place that God has not just called me to serve, but to live, to become a part of a community, to allow people to watch my life, to be involved in my life and to hear about the love of Christ. This is the place that I call home. This is the place that I am continuously challenged to grow in my faith, to continue to love people even in the worst of circumstances. This is the place where I get to lead people to life with Christ and cheer them on as they grow in their walks. Never did I think when I boarded that place in March of 2001 would my life be what it is today…and never would I ever change it.