Tripping Over Typeset

The door swings open and in they come. One by one they hang up their coats and take off their boots.

‘T’ pops over…”Ms. Rachel, look at my kitty I brought in today!”

“L” joins in… “I brought popcorn to share!!!”

Giving them a sweet hug, I add in…”That’s so great!  I’m so glad you’re here.  Did you have a good week?”

And that’s what I really want to know.  How was their week?  Was it fun? Was it easy?  Did they face something this week that made it tough?

I love these kids. And the world they live in is different then my childhood world.

I was raised in the church.  I think my first place of napping… besides my own bed… was under the church pew.  Every Sunday morning, Sunday night and Wednesday night our family was there.  We were an every-time-the-church-doors-are-open kind of family.  I have no complaints.  It was a great upbringing.

I learned the books of the Bible and stories of Jesus.  We raced with sword drills and sang songs about “backing the preacher” and “springing up wells.”

Today kids ministry looks different.

Every Sunday morning we run a Kidz Zone program for kids in our community and church. These kids come from all kinds of family dynamics and situations.  Each one is valued and loved.
We began this ministry with a handful of kids — most of them being my own.  Now we serve over 30 kids in that 1320 square foot building that also houses the church kitchen and two bathrooms.  We’ve knocked down every free-standing wall to open up space for more kids.  In making more room, the room is filled again.
I love this ministry and I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else on a given Sunday morning.

We still learn the Books of the Bible but now instead of flip charts and notes played on the piano in the corner, we use video and YouTube links. Today the kids watch and listen at home, on tablets and phones.

Instead of sitting on metal folding chairs in rows, we sit crisscross, applesauce in circles with our learning groups.

Children today are growing up in a world far different from the one I lived. Homes with both mom and dad are the exception and not the norm.  Children have learning needs, special situations and worries that just weren’t a worry in my younger years.  Bullying is rampant and kind words are fewer and far between.

At Asbury Church, we are very intentional about the work we do and the way we serve.

Our Kidz Zone space is a place where kids are accepted and loved.

• They learn about the love of Jesus and how they can trust Him with their lives.
• They learn how He is dependable and will never leave them.
• They learn how to make wise and good choices, about patience and practicing kindness towards others.

I can’t make the whole world be kind or show love but together we can teach the next generation how to love well and trust Jesus as the guide for their lives.

And that’s where your part comes in today.

#GivingTuesday began in 2012 as a way for people to give to nonprofit organizations of their choosing.  It’s a way of giving back during this holiday time.

Kidz Zone is a passion of mine and reaching kids with the love of Jesus is important for giving them a good foundation to build their lives on.  This year for #GivingTuesday, we are giving you the opportunity to share in this ministry.  The gifts given today will be used toward new video equipment and learning tools for our Kidz Zone space.  Additional funds given above our goal amount will be utilized toward new flooring and fresh paint for our Kidz Zone space.

If you would like to participate in this #GivingTuesday, we would love for you to partner with us by clicking here and donating today. (You can also give at our direct Asbury Church website by clicking on the banner here.)

Thank you for partnering with us and being a part of our #GivingTuesday.

Giving kids Jesus today gives them opportunities for better tomorrows.