Top Music for VBS 2011 . . . Take Two!

I originally posted this article on January 2, 2011 when I announced my Top Music for VBS 2011, but thought I'd repost it today and encourage you to take a good look at "Kickin' It Old School" music for use in your ministry! The music was an easy pick as Go Fish Guy's "Kickin' It Old School" is hands-down the best music of the year! The songs have a solid message and are presented with "spunk" and "enthusiasm" . . . the adults are sure to love these songs as much as the kids will! The Go Fish Guy's took old songs like "Sweet, Sweet, Song of Salvation/I Love to Tell the Story" and  "This Is My Father's World" then presented them in a new way kids will love!  The song list on their CD includes -

1. Kickin' It Old School
2. Sweet, Sweet Song of Salvation/I Love to Tell the Story (My personal favorite!)
3. I'm a Soldier in the Army of the Lord
4. This is My Father's World
5. Blessed Assurance
6. Before the Throne of God Above
7. I'll Fly Away
8. Shelter in A Time of Storm
9. Solid Rock
10. Old Rugged Cross

The DVD includes karaoke videos, performance videos and material from their new VBS - "Kickin' It Old School". The song list includes -

1. This is My Father's World
2. Before the Throne of God Above
3. I'm a Soldier in the Army of the Lord
4. The Solid Rock (with Denver and the Mile High Orchestra)
5. Sweet, Sweet Song of Salvation/I Love to Tell the Story
6. Kickin' It Old School
7. Stories
8. The Bible Book Bop
9. The Ten Commandment Boogie!

I can not say enough good things about "Kickin' It Old Style"! I love the harmonies, the "spunk" and enthusiasm that permeates each and every song . . . they are certain to get your kids - and even yourself! - up and moving and while the music is sure to be enjoyed the most important reason to use it with your kids is the message. Take a moment to enjoy "Sweet, Sweet Song of Salvation/I Love to Tell the Story" and you'll see why it is my favorite!

As they say, "New ideas aren't always the best ones. God, His Promises, His Word and the Gospel are unchangeable which is why the Go Fish Guys are "Kickin' It Old School"! I couldn't agree more!   Whether you decide to use their VBS or not, be sure to get their music for use in your ministry! 

"Put Feet to Their Faith" and Involve Your Children in a Project with Angel Tree Camping!

Most of you, and the people in your church and community, are likely familiar with Prison Fellowship's Angel Tree; but you may not know about their Angel Tree Camping. This month Angel Tree Camping is my "Put Feet to Their Faith" ministry focus so I'd like to encourage you to consider how you could involve the children and families in your church to make a difference in the life of a child from your community with Angel Tree Camping.

"Camp can be one of the most life-changing experiences children of incarcerated parents can have. Camp gives the child an opportunity to have fun, fellowship with their peers, build relationships with caring camp counselors, and to experience the love of God in the great outdoors. The Angel Tree camping experience gives children whose parents are incarcerated the opportunity to strengthen their relationship with God. At camp many children make a first-time decision to trust in Jesus Christ or deepen their commitment to Him. And the growth which begins at camp is reinforced and nurtured when your church provides follow-up support for the kids after they return."


You can involve the children in your church in this project by helping them raise money to pay for an Angel Tree Camping child to go to camp and by filling a tote bag with the supplies this child will need for camp. "Angel Tree will provide guidance and resources so you will be able to explain the benefits of camp to an Angel Tree child's caregivers, complete the sign-up process, and help provide any supplies the kids will need for camp. You will receive a supply of quality tote bags and PathLight Camper Bibles, one for each child you sponsor. Just as your church volunteers may have participated in Angle Tree by selecting a child's gift wish to purchase for Christmas, this time they can choose to provide a basic camp necessity! If your church has not been involved with Angel Tree in the past, you can still get involved with Angel Tree Camping!


If your church does not already use a summer camp, Angel Tree will help put you in touch with nearby camps accredited by the Christian Camping and Conference Association . . . check their website to search for a Christian camp in your area. 


If you involve the children of your church in camp each summer, this could be a wonderful project for you to utilize to "Put Feet to Their Faith" and help them serve another child while they prepare for their own week of camp! If you are ready for the life-changing adventure of Angel Tree Camping just call them at 1-800-55-ANGEL to register. When they receive your registration, they'll send you their Introduction and Recommendations letter and camping DVD to help you get started.
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"Put Feet to Their Faith" with a Project to Help Haiti Through Samaritan's Purse

For the last month I've been encouraging you to involve the children in your church with a project to help the people in Haiti for our "Put Feet to Their Faith" February Ministry Focus. Samaritan's Purse has worked, and continues to work in one of the most difficult, yet neediest places in the world. The earthquake literally brought the Haitian's "world" crumbling down around them only to be followed by hurricanes and cholera. Yet, despite the massive needs, Samaritan's Purse stayed in Haiti and makes a real difference in the Haitian's lives every day. They are building thousands of temporary shelters for people, providing clean, safe water, food and medical care and most importantly, sharing the Good News of Jesus with these people! Watch this video for an overview of what Samaritan's Purse is doing in Haiti. Keep Samaritan's Purse in your prayers and consider if you might be able to "Put Feet to Their Faith" and involve your kids in helping the people of Haiti with a project from Samaritan's Purse!

Look What We Will Be Talking About Next Week and in the Month of March on About the Children's Department!

Next week begins with the announcement of our new "Put Feet to Their Faith" ministry focus and I'm looking forward to sharing with you about a ministry you may not be very familiar with! Then the rest of the week I'll be talking about dreaming for your ministry, holding Children's Ministry up before your church as well as take a look at Scripture memory. On Friday I'll be drawing three names in for our VeggieTales Hosanna! CD give-away, so be sure to "like" and/or "follow" this blog with the follow tab or in the "Follow us on Facebook" box on the right - you may need to scroll down a little - and you will be entered in our drawing!


March is a busy month! I'm taking a week to look at some of the wonderful websites and blogs where we can find information, ideas and resources for children's ministry, will be talking about milestones in children's lives as well as how to celebrate them in the church and will be looking at what children's ministry looks like in different places around the world! I have some fun "Family Picks" to share with you and of course that means I'll be drawing names to give things away, too! It'll be a fun month, so please be sure to join me and tell people you know so they can do the same!

Touch Bases on VBS - Volunteer Recruitment!

Each month until Summer I will "Touch Bases on VBS" and provide some tips, ideas and info which will hopefully be helpful for you as you plan your Vacation Bible School for 2011. Today I want to focus on recruiting volunteers! If you haven't already checked out VolunteerSpot.com, take a moment to do so. They enable you to quickly mobilize and coordinate volunteers in your church with their simple sign-up to make it easy for your church members to say "Yes" to volunteering! VolunteerSpot plans to release their special features for VBS soon, but check them out and see how they can help you organize and recruit for VBS 2011!


As you determine your volunteer needs for VBS 2011, commit to recruit with enthusiasm and excellence! VBS is a valuable opportunity to reach into your community and touch children and families who do not attend your church! It is also an excellent opportunity to further disciple the children from your church! It is a privilege and honor to serve God by volunteering in VBS, so never beg for volunteers. Present the opportunity and trust God will move in people's hearts to get involved! Check your director's info for recruiting info and resources and don't forget my posts on recruiting for ideas as well.

Family Pick - VeggieTales Hosanna! - Today's Top Worship Songs for Kids!

My "Family Pick" for the next two weeks is the new VeggieTales Hosanna! Today's Top Worship Songs For Kids! "Just in time for the launch of the Easter season,this CD releases on March 5 and March 8, 2011 in conjunction with my last "Family Pick", VeggieTales: ‘Twas the Night Before Easter DVD.

The Hosanna! CD features the vocal talents of GRAMMY and Dove Award-winning recording artists Amy Grant and Casting Crowns’ Mark Hall, and was produced by producer and musician Scott Williamson (Point of Grace, FFH, Lincoln Brewster.)  The CD has ten all new easy-to-sing worship favorites made popular by some of today’s top Christian worship artists – sung by beloved VeggieTales characters and kids just for kids!

Amy Grant had this to say about the project, “I think this is a wonderful opportunity to introduce a new generation of kids to a lifestyle of worship through music. VeggieTales always finds a way to present Biblical messages to children in ways that are fun, entertaining and engaging.  My hope for this project is that it provides a connect point for parents and kids to worship together and discuss what it means to be a child of God.”

Amy Grant sings the title track, “Hosanna,” written by singer-songwriter Brooke Fraser and made popular by modern worship band Hillsong LIVE.  Fans will also hear lead vocalist Mark Hall of Casting Crowns as he lends his voice on “Who Am I.”  Also included are Veggie arrangements of Israel Houghton’s upbeat “Just Wanna Say,” Chris Tomlin’s “Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone,”) Hillsong LIVE’s “Mighty To Save” and Brenton Brown’s “Everlasting God,” to name a few.

VeggieTales®: Hosanna! Today’s Top Worship Songs for Kids! Track Listing

1. Mighty To Save
2. Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone)
3. Hosanna
4. Everlasting God
5. Your Grace is Enough
6. Just Wanna Say
7. Your Name
8. Who Am I
9. Perfect Love
10. Lord You Are Good

Kids and parents alike are sure to enjoy this new CD from Big Idea and the opportunity to praise God with these new songs!

I'm delighted to say, Big Idea is sending me three of these CDs to give away next Friday, March 4th, in our next "Family Pick" drawing! If you have "liked" and/or "followed" this blog using the tabs in the "Follow us on Facebook" box or the "follow" button to the right, you are entered in my drawing! If you haven't yet done this, take a moment to do so and you will be in the drawing! If you "like" and "follow" you will be entered in the drawing twice! Please tell your friends and family so they can be in the drawing, too!


"Disclosure of Material Connection: I received the products of services mentioned above for free in the hopes I would mention them on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: 'Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.'"

Countdown to Your Volunteer Appreciation Dinner - Decorations and Entertainment!

Today we will take a moment to think about where we need to be in our planning if we are giving our volunteers an appreciation dinner this Spring. In December I encouraged you to plan a volunteer appreciation dinner and said to set your date, determine your budget and decide what type of dinner you want to have. If you have done these things you need to decide how you are going to decorate and determine what type of entertainment you want to have. Think about some of the following ideas -


Decorating Ideas -

• Obviously the type of dinner you have decided on will determine how you decorate. For example, if you are planning a spaghetti dinner, you could decorate with checkered table cloths and drippy candles and if you are going to try my dump dinner, colored plastic table cloths work very well. Ask yourself if there is an obvious decorating theme related to the type of dinner you are planning.
• Candles, flowers or balloons always add to the decorating - what type of atmosphere do you want to create? A more serious atmosphere - candles and flowers may be your best "fit". A more festive atmosphere - balloons may be just the thing!
• Photo collages may add a personal touch to your event so think if there is a wall in the area you are using for your dinner that you could cover in photos from the year of ministry. If you do this, be sure you have at least one photo with each volunteer so no one is left out.

Entertainment Ideas -

• Check with another church in your area and see if their children's minister/director might be available to speak at your volunteer appreciation dinner - you could return the favor for their dinner!
• Does your church have a small choir or ensemble?  See if they might be available to sing for your dinner.
• If you made a video for your volunteer recruitment month, show it at your dinner in a "pre-screening" for your volunteers!
• Ask some of the children in your ministry to write a short paper - one paragraph - about why they appreciate their teachers and then have them come and read their paper - if you do this, be sure to have a child from each class . . . you could have a parent help a younger child who isn't able to write/read.

These are just a few ideas to get you going. Use some of these, or come up with your own, but determine how you plan to decorate and what type of entertainment you will have for your dinner. Next month we will look at the last thing to do before your dinner.

Tomorrow I'll announce our next "Family Pick" and I'm happy to say we will be giving three of our "Family Pick" items away to three of our facebook friends! If you haven't already "liked" us on facebook, take a moment to do so and then tell the people you know about us so they can be in the drawing, too!

A Few New "Touches" To My Blog!

I'm entering my fourth month of writing this blog! It has been a busy three months and I only anticipate that to continue in the months to come! As I looked back over some of my posts I decided to try and make it a bit easier to find posts relating to the topics of recruiting, supporting, encouraging and training volunteers. If you look at the top of my blog you'll see I've added two more permanent pages related to these topics. Inside each page is a list of all posts relating to those topics and as I write more posts, I'll add them to these pages.


Thank you for reading About the Children's Department! It is my goal to provide resources, information and ideas to help you with your children's ministry!

You Can Involve the Children in Your Church in a Project to "Put Feet to Their Faith" and in so doing, Help the People in Haiti!

For nearly a month my "Put Feet to their Faith" ministry focus has been Samaritan's Purse; more specifically, two projects with Samaritan's Purse to help people in Haiti. If you are still considering if this is a project you should involve the children in your church with, think about these facts;

• CHOLERA TREATMENT
  • Samaritan's Purse has mobilized 175 medical personnel to treat people impacted by the cholera outbreak in Haiti
  • The organization has flown in 10 chartered flights, loaded with cholera relief supplies
  • Samaritan's Purse medical teams have treated more than 4,300 cholera patients since the outbreak began in late October
  • The organization has installed 17 water filtration systems in response to the cholera outbreak, with each system providing clean water for about 6,000 people
  • Some 500,000 people have been reached through Samaritan's Purse's cholera prevention messaging
  • The organization has two cholera treatment centers:
  • Bercy cholera treatment center, with an 150-bed capacity (peak day Nov. 19 with 
223 patients)
  • Cite Soleil cholera treatment center, with a 240-bed capacity
  
  
  SHELTER
  • Provided transitional housing for more than 10,030 families left homeless after the quake
  • Samaritan's Purse shelter project has provided housing for 50,150 Haitians(based on average family size of 5)

• OTHER MEDICAL
  • Samaritan's Purse has provided medical care for 33,404 patients at the Cite Soleil clinic and through the organization's Mobile Medical Clinics
  • The organization has coordinated and sent more than 500 medical volunteersfrom the U.S. and Canada to Haiti, most volunteering for two weeks (this includes 175 medical personnel who have volunteered with Samaritan’s Purse since the cholera outbreak in October)
   
  FOOD
  • Provided 8,882 metric tons of food through all of the organization's feeding programs
  • Constructed some 420 keyhole gardens (vegetable gardens)
  
  
  WATER
  • Some 75,000 people left homeless after the earthquake have received clean water through Samaritan's Purse clean water efforts
  • The organization has installed some 36 community water filters (each has a daily capacity to filter and provide 10,000 gallons of clean drinking water)
  
  
  SANITATION
  • 852 latrines have been constructed
  • 47,240 people trained in sanitation and hygiene
  
  
  RUBBLE REMOVAL
  • 98,914 cubic meters of rubble removed so rebuilding can begin
  • 179 sites have been cleared
  
  
  EDUCATION & TRAINING
  • The organization has trained some 408 mothers in maternal/child health(how to care for a newborn, breast-feed, etc.)
  • Provided temporary salaries for 200 teachers in 20 schools in Port-au-Prince and Leogane

  
  
  MOBILIZATION OF EMERGENCY SUPPLIES & EQUIPMENT
  • 14 shiploads of relief cargo and heavy machinery for rubble removal efforts (35 chartered relief flights)
  • 10 chartered flights, specifically loaded with cholera relief supplies (since Oct. 22)
  
  

You can involve the children and families in your church in projects to help the people of Haiti - either raise money to send to Samaritan's Purse to help continue the funding of the programs listed above, and/or assemble shoeboxes filled with gifts for children to send for the Samaritan's Purse Operation Christmas Child Greatest Journey project. "Put Feet to Their Faith" and equip the children in your church by involving them in a project to live what they learn!

We Have Three Winners in My Family Pick VeggieTales DVD Give-away!

We have three winners in my Family Pick drawing for three VeggieTale 'Twas the Night Before Easter dvd give-away! Julie Ammons, Michael Odle and Glen "KingsKiwi" each won one dvd! Thank you Big Idea for sending the dvd for my review and for my give-aways! Be watching next Friday, February 25th, to find out what my next "Family Pick" and give-aways will be! If you haven't "liked" and/or "followed" About the Children's Department with the tab in the box to the right that say, "Find us on Facebook", take a moment to do so now and you will be entered in our next drawing!

Let's Plan a Volunteer Recruitment Month! - "For Future Generations" Theme!

For Future Generations is another "old" song, but it has such a powerful message . . . making it ideal for you to use it to build your theme for your month of recruiting!

For Future Generations, by 4 Him

Video hints – 

• verse one look at the lyrics and show news clips, newspaper headlines and shots of your own community. 
• During the chorus show your volunteers working with the kids 
• for verses two and three show video/photos of the children and families in your church.

Recruiting Plan – begin four weeks before the actual start of your recruiting month with the following “teasers”-

•  Week one – “If we could find a way to preserve our faith so those who follow us see the price that was paid . . .”
• Week two – “Then maybe when they question what it's gonna take to survive, they'll find the strength to carry on in what we  leave behind."
• Week three – “Lookin' in the eyes of the children knowing that tomorrow is at stake. When the choice is up to them, will they have the strength to say, 'We won't bend and we won't break we won't water down our faith!'”
• Week four/Week one of the recruiting month - "For tomorrow and 
  today, we must be a light for future generations!"

 Recruiting Month – 

• Week one - show the video and hand out badges for volunteers, staff and elders to wear saying, “We must be a light for future generations!”
•  Week two –  plan a "future generations parade" and bring the children in your ministry to the front of the auditorium by classes. Ask the Senior Pastor to speak briefly as to the importance of being that "light for future generations", be sure everyone continues to wear their badges and have extras ready for people who volunteer.
•  Week three –  Arrange for two volunteers to share their testimony as to why they enjoy serving, be sure everyone continues to wear their badges and have extras ready for people who volunteer.
• Week four -  ask families in your church who have at least three generations in attendance to stand in front and have someone share what they do to pass their faith to future generations, be sure everyone continues to wear their badges and have extras ready for people who volunteer.

 Each week include flyers in the bulletin and up-date your sign as to how many volunteer positions remain to be filled.

"Family Pick" - I'm Giving Away Three Copies of VeggieTales 'Twas the Night Before Easter!

Our current "Family Pick" is the new VeggieTales "'Twas the Night Before Easter" and Big Idea is sending me three copies to give away in our drawing this Friday! If you have "liked" and/or "followed" my blog using the facebook button or "follow" button to the right - (you may need to scroll down a little) - then you are entered in my drawing! If you haven't, take a moment to do so . . . if you "like" and "follow" you'll be entered in the drawing twice!


This new Veggie story reminds us all what Easter is really all about and challenges us to really serve others by helping them. I appreciate how VeggieTales and World Vision have teamed up to provide an opportunity for families to reach out and help a needy child in the world with their child sponsorship program. As a grandma, I sincerely appreciate how Big Idea consistently provides excellent stories with strong messages for families to talk about, but when they go the extra mile and team up with ministries and provide us a way to live what we learned, this makes them truly stand out and shows why they are so much more than just a company making dvds for kids!

Veggie stories keep getting better and better and this one is sure to delight! Please pass the word about the new Veggie DVD to people you know and tell them how they can be in the drawing to receive one from Big Idea and my blog!

Vacation Bible School 2011 - Be Sure to Check My Reviews and Side-by-Side Comparison Charts!

Have you decided which VBS resources best "fit" your ministry vision, passion and plan? Have you had an opportunity to attend a VBS Open House or Workshop hosted by your local Christian Bookstore? If you haven't made your selection yet, have you narrowed down to the top three or four resources you believe will best "fit" your ministry?


If not, take a few minutes and check my 2011 VBS reviews, Side-by-Side Comparison Chart and other articles to help you make your selections. Be sure to first of all consider your goals and vision for your VBS as this will help you narrow down which kits are the best "fit" for your ministry. While settings, music and marketing may tend to drive our choices for VBS, we should always pick our VBS resources based on which kit will best enable us to accomplish our goals - are you focusing on evangelism? Is your primary goal related to equipping Christian children to live their faith? Do you have a goal that encompasses both of these areas? Know what it is you want to accomplish with your VBS ministry and then select the kit which will best enable you to realize those goals!


If you have already decided which VBS kit will best "fit" your ministry, then take a moment to consider your ministry calendar year and where you might be able to utilize an additional VBS kit or two. Vacation Bible School resources are some of your best curriculum buys of the year! Be sure to keep an eye out for those resources you could use in your ministry throughout the year!


Over the next few months as we approach our summer ministries, I'll post articles to help you as you plan your VBS - be sure to check back often!

"Put Feet to Their Faith" and Involve Your Children in a Project to Help Provide Clean, Safe Drinking Water for Haitians!

Here in the USA we take having clean, safe water for granted. It is as simple as turning a faucet in our home for us to have water. This is not the case in many places around the world and certainly not the case in Haiti. The availability of clean, safe drinking water was an issue in Haiti before the earthquake and it became an even greater issue after the quake. Samaritan's Purse has been involved in many aspects of bringing help to Haiti and one of them has been bringing safe, clean water to the people. See this link for an article about just one community where they stepped up and provided a community water filtration system which has changed and saved lives!


Most of us can not make the trip to Haiti to physically help Samaritan's Purse serve and reach the people, but we can involve our children in projects to raise money to send to Samaritan's Purse so they can continue to meet the physical needs of people with the goal of introducing them to Jesus! Take some time to think about what you can do to "Put Feet to Their Faith" and involve your children in a project to help the people of Haiti through Samaritan's Purse!

VeggieTale's "'Twas The Night Before Easter" is Our New "Family Pick"!

For the next two weeks our "Family Pick" is VeggieTale's "'Twas the Night Before Easter" and on Friday, February 18th, we are giving several of them away!


Once again Big Idea has produced a story the entire family will enjoy and learn from! It is so easy for us to get "caught up" in the "holiday" of Easter and forget what Resurrection Sunday is really all about . . . the empty tomb! This new Veggie story reminds us Jesus came to serve others and to give His life for us! There are strong messages about telling the truth, forgiving others, serving others by helping them and the most important message of Jesus' love!


"'Twas the Night Before Easter" brings back favorite Veggie friends - Larry, Bob, Petunia, Madame Blueberry and more as well as introduces a new Veggie - Cassie Cassava . . . voiced by Melinda Doolitte - and has humor throughout sure to get parents laughing! In addition, Big Idea teamed up with World Vision to encourage families to do something concrete to help others by sponsoring a child in need!


Watch the trailer of , "'Twas the Night Before Easter" . . . it releases on March 5th, and as I mentioned earlier, Big Idea is sending me several to give away in our drawing on February 18th! If you have "liked" and/or "followed" my blog using the buttons to the right, then you are entered in the drawing! If you haven't, take a moment to do so now! Be sure to tell people you know about our drawing so they can join in the fun!


Thank you Big Idea for sending 'Twas the Night Before Easter for my review and for my give-away!


"Disclosure of Material Connection: I received the products of services mentioned above for free in the hopes I would mention them on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: 'Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.'"

Ideas for Helping Children Under the Age of 16 Serve

I understand implementing a minimum age of 16 as a requirement for serving in all areas of your children's ministry is a controversial and difficult step to take for many, if not most, churches. However; if we are serious about doing all we can to make our children's ministries the safest place we can, it is necessary. This doesn't mean that young teens can not serve in our churches, it just means we need to be creative and intentional in engaging them in areas where they can serve! Consider some of the following ideas for helping young teens develop a positive history and experience serving in their own church.

• Invite young teens to be part of a "Children's Ministry Prep Team". Most curriculum resources include activities which require making copies, picking up supplies from the store, gathering supplies and in our preschool ministries, cutting out craft items. Involve these young teens in preparing these resources and you will not only be giving them an opportunity to be involved in your children's ministry, but you will also be providing a service to your volunteers as well.
• Young teens often want to help in the nursery, but they are just not old enough to do so. Consider involving them as part of your "Nursery Prep Team" and provide an adult to supervise a time before or after mid-week ministry where they clean the toys and place them in baskets for each service. This will help you keep your nursery as safe as possible and give these teens an opportunity to serve the young families in your church!
• It is important that we put in place a plan to let the children in our ministries know they are loved and if they are absent, we noticed. Involve young teens in your children's ministry by inviting them to be part of your "Children's Ministry Connections Team". These children will meet after services on Sunday and check the attendance lists. If there is a child who is absent, they will be sure to send them a card. If there is a child who has a birthday, again the will send a card. If you have a visitor, once again, these young teens will send a "we are so glad you visited us" card. This again gives these kids a way to serve and helps your children's ministry communicate to the children in it that they are valued - outside of class!
• I love supporting and encouraging volunteers! Consider inviting young teens to be a part of your "Volunteer Surprise Team"! Meet with these teens once a month to plan a "surprise" to support, encourage and thank your volunteers . . . you might plan to have volunteers stand in the service while the pastor prays for them and their ministry and then have your "Volunteer Surprise Team" present each volunteer with a daisy one month and another month you might have them visit each class with a brief "singing telegram"! Use your imagination and have fun with this - not only will it give you another way to involve young teens in your church, but it will support and encourage your volunteers as well!

You are only limited by your imagination when it comes to finding ways for young teens to serve in your church. Working directly with children is not the only way for these teens to be involved. Provide these types of opportunities for young teens to serve and then when they turn 16, invite them to be trained and serve as a volunteer working with the children!

Free Missions Resource for Children's Ministry!

My best friend in high school wanted to be a missionary since she was a young child.  She prepared to be a missionary, married a man who was also preparing to be a missionary and they served in Paupa New Guniea for many years!

If we want our children to be exposed to missions and grow up to either serve as a missionary or to support missionaries in prayer and financially, we need to help them learn about missions in a “hands-on” “real-life” manner.  The following materials are designed to help you put together a missions curriculum tailor made for your own church and will teach your children about missions by involving them in the lives of the missionaries your church currently supports.  Feel free to copy the materials for use in your church’s ministry to your children.

To begin with this missions curriculum, each class needs to choose a missionary, from those your church supports, to be their class’ missionary.  Then a few months prior to the start of your missions program, send the missionaries one of each of the following pages for them to fill out and return to you.  The pages consist of twelve topic pages, a map of their country, and an information page about the missionary family.  When you get the information pack back from the missionaries, you will have a new topic to learn about each month, maps showing where your missionary is and the specifics about your missionaries to share with your class.  For example, the month of December your missionaries will have answered questions relating to if the children in their country observe Christmas and how they celebrate it, or if they do not celebrate Christmas, any information about what life is like for children in their country and any special days they may celebrate. There are also specific prayer requests for the children in your class to pray for that month.

The maps may be copied and handed out to the children so they will be able to see where their missionary lives and how far it is from where they live.  The maps may also be made into overhead transparencies, projected on to a bulletin board covered with butcher paper or other white paper and then traced to make a missions display in each class room.

The personal information on each missionary can be used to help the children pray more specifically and so your class can send birthday cards/care packages to their missionary families.  If the missionary has a video camera they might even be willing to make a short film to share with your class on what a typical day is like for them.  When the missionary is home on furlough they could visit the class and meet the children to answer questions in person.  You might even have your class help plan a special dinner for their missionary on the Sunday they visit.

The purpose of this resource is to help bring missions into “real life” and to help your children learn how to pray for and to be involved with their missionaries. 

SEPTEMBER

Do the children in your country begin school in September? 

What ages attend school?

What are the classrooms like? 

What time does school begin and when does it end each day?

What topics do children in grades _____________learn? 

Do they learn more than one language?

Do both girls and boys attend school?  If so, do they go to the same school?

Do the children in your country wear uniforms to school?

What specific prayer requests do you have that we can pray for this month?

OCTOBER

Is this a harvest time in your country?

What is the weather like in October in your country?

What kind of trees do you have in the area you live in, and do the leaves come off this time of year?

What kind of houses do the people in this country live in?

Are there many farmers or what kind of work do the people do?

Do you have any specific prayer requests we can pray for this month?

NOVEMBER

Do the people in your country celebrate any kind of Thanksgiving Day?

If they do, what would they do to celebrate?

Do the people eat turkeys in your country?

What kind of outdoor games do children in ______________ grade play?

What kind of chores would children do in an average home?

Do you have any specific prayer requests we could pray about this month?

DECEMBER

Do the people in your country celebrate Christmas?

If they do, what do they do to celebrate it?  Do they have a Christmas tree?  If so what kind of tree do they use? 

If they do not celebrate Christmas, do they have another special day?

Does it snow in your country?

How many families are in your church?

Will the children put on a Christmas program this year?

Do you have any special prayer requests that we could pray about this month?

JANUARY

Does it get cold in your country in January?

Is it winter in your country?

Do the people in your country do anything special to celebrate the New Year?

What do children in your country do when they play inside?

Do the children get a winter vacation from school in your country?

Do you have any specific prayer requests we could pray about this month?

FEBRUARY

Do the people in your country celebrate Valentines Day?

What kinds of pets do the children in your country have?

What kinds of crafts do the children in your country enjoy making? (If possible, could you send directions for a craft?  Thank you!)

What is it like outside in your country in February?

Do you have any specific prayer requests we could pray about this month?

MARCH

Do the children in your country make kites and then fly them?

What would an average day be like for a child in the _____________ grade in your country?

What is an average day like for you?

What are some of the most common food the people in your country eat?

Do the people in your country do anything special to celebrate birthdays?

Do you have any special prayer requests we could pray about this month?

APRIL

Do the people in your country celebrate Jesus’ resurrection?

If they do, what special things would they do?

If they do not, do they have any other special days they would observe and what would they do for it?

What is spring like in your country?

Do you have many flowers in your country?

Do the people in your church enjoy singing?  If so, what is a favorite song?

Do the children in your church have a children’s choir?

Do you have any specific prayer requests we could pray about this month?

MAY

Do the children in your country help with planting gardens or crops?

Do the people in your country celebrate Mother’s Day?

If they do, what special things do they do?

What kinds of outdoor games do children in your country play in the spring?

Are there many doctors in your country?

Do many people have TV’s in your country?

If so, what kind of shows would children be able to watch?

Do you have any specific prayer requests that we could pray about this month?

JUNE

Is it Summer in your country?

Do the children in your country get out of school for the summer?

How many years does the average child go to school in your country?

Do the children in your country have many places to go swimming?

Is the water clean and safe in your country?

Do children have bikes in your country?

What kinds of things would children do in your country over the summer?

Do you have any specific prayer requests we could pray about this month?

JULY

Does your church have VBS for children during the summer?

If so, what kinds of things would you do during VBS?

Are there any wild animals where you live?

Does it get hot where you live during the summer?

Do you get much rain during the summer?

Do you have any specific prayer requests we could pray about this month?

AUGUST

What kinds of summer games would children in your country play?

How big is the average family in your country?

How might a child work around the house to help their family?

In your country do most fathers and mothers work outside the home?

Are there many cars in your country?

How old does a person have to be in your country to drive?

Do you have any specific prayer requests we could pray about this month?