We will be holding Good Friday and Easter Sunday services! Find out more here

Unless You Turn and Become Like Children

Pastor Ian shares with us about the work that's going on in our children's ministry and the ways we can participate together.

"And calling to him a child, (Jesus) put him in the midst of them and said, 'Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 18:2-3) 

Jesus knew something about children. He knew that unlike adults, who have filled their hearts with things hostile to God, children have a natural inclination to be drawn to Him. To believe. Statistics in the West indicate that of those who faithfully attend church as adults, almost 80% came to believe in Christ when they were children. According to statistics in the Southern Baptist Convention of churches, 50% of adult members believed the Good News before the age of twelve! In other words, true to the promise given in Proverbs 22:6, the seeds that are planted in the heart of a child, continue to bear fruit decades later. 

In fact, I remember them. Men and women who loved me when I wasn’t that loveable, humble servants of the Lord who ignited my imagination with stories of the dusty roads of Palestine and the sudden storms that rose on the Sea of Galilee. They helped me to pronounce ‘big Bible words’ and memorise Bible verses. They lent me courage to speak in front of a classroom of my peers and always greeted me with a warm smile. They gave me a starjust for showing up. I am a man who has been forever shaped by the ministry of ordinary church members who loved children in extraordinary ways. 

Despite this, many churches give little attention to Children’s Ministry. Especially in Asia, Children’s Ministry is often under-served, under-supported and under-funded. We are glad that our children are cared for, but mostly because we enjoy our worship without the noisy distraction of little ones. 

Henrietta Mears once commented, “When you look at most churches—their programs, their staff, their budgets—it appears that children must first become prodigals before we put together elaborate programs and events to save them!” 

Mears became a passionate teacher and defender of children. She co-founded the National Sunday School Association and founded the Gospel Light Publishing Company in order to specifically promote Bible study materials for children. When she stepped down from the Sunday School Ministry at Hollywood Presbyterian Church, they were averaging 6,500 in Sunday School. 

children-ministry-enews

Last Sunday 45 children were crammed into the space afforded them in the Attic level of our building. God, through the dedicated ministry of our teachers and helpers, has begun to do something in Grace Baptist Church, and our Children’s Ministry is growing. How will we respond to His work? 

Begin with Prayer:

  • Pray for Elder Chuan Xin and his team of teachers and helpers.
  • Pray for yourself. Have you not yet begun to express thanksgiving for your salvation through faithful service? Have you retired too early? Is God inviting you to be His embrace in the lives of these young ones? Is He calling you to love and care for a young couple by serving in our nursery ministry?
  • Pray for our Elders, as they recommend budget for 2020 and as they seek to recommend a staffing plan for our church. Pray that our plans and expectations will reflect Christ’s love for children. 

God has clearly designed children for His good news. The question before us is, how are we designing our ministries, developing our staff, and reshaping our budgets to align with God’s gospel design?

------- 

Coming Up: 

  • This Sunday we will celebrate the obedience of seven believers as they put the Gospel on display through their baptism. Please pray for non-believing loved ones who have agreed to come to witness this important moment in their lives.
  • The next round of Church Matters class begins this Sunday at 11am in Room 310. This class is for everyone—new members and long term members—who want to know what manner of church do we desire to be and where are we heading together. Don’t assume you know! No sign-ups are required so see you there!
  • The date is 3 August. Have you signed up for our Mission Conference? You will have opportunity to do so this Sunday after our service. Please look for the sign up booth on Level 3 or register online.