In my role with TGP Kids, I love the role I get to play in children’s lives. But we believe that the greatest impact on a child’s faith formation is their parents.
That’s why we are always seeking to strengthen relationships with parents for the purpose of making strong disciples. As a ministry director, I will often meet with parents and I am continually checking in with families. If there are needs with families, it’s my desire to provide as much support as we can.
Our purpose is to be disciples and equip disciples.
In all our TGP Kids’ ministry and events, we focus on helping children understand what it looks like to grow in their faith and share their faith. Each of our adult and teen leaders teach the Word of God with this intention, and each one engages our children in relationships to build a sense of trust and safety that leads to feelings of inclusion, greater participation, and application of biblical principles. In short, it’s a constant chain of disciples equipping our youngest disciples!
In fact, this year we have implemented a process to onboard and train volunteers in our ministry. This holistic process includes the physical and emotional safety of all children in our ministry and supporting their spiritual well-being and development. We are enabling more members of our church to equip disciples every week.
Scripturally Rooted.
Relationally Committed.
Sacrificially Minded.
Missionally Driven.
While TGP Kids is always engaging in so many of our values, this year has been particularly strong in our value of being Scripturally Rooted.
While we have just finished our Gospel Project curriculum and selected a new curriculum called HyFi, it is absolutely imperative that the curriculum be firmly rooted in the Word of God. To best disciple children, it is important that the stories of the Bible be understandable with a wide range of children, and taught in a way that will grab and keep the attention of our children. HyFi gets this balance right, and we’re encouraged by the results we’re already seeing each week.
This next year, we will place an emphasis on being Relationally Committed. We believe that this generation of children have a deep need to be connected in meaningful relationships, and the same is true for the families we serve and the volunteers who are serving weekly!
Life Change:
the result of being disciples and equipping disciples together
We have seen adult volunteers connect in church at deeper levels than would have been possible apart form their investment in the children’s ministry. Through their investments, they have made new friendships, feel a sense of belonging, and are even a part of a Gospel Community and attending regularly. This is the real benefit of shifting from spectator to disciple, and they are thriving because of it.
Over the summer, during our Kids Camp, several girls displayed a genuine concern for their salvation. They asked thoughtful questions and desired to spend time with our leaders, asking questions and learning the truths of the Bible. By the end of the week, all three of these girls made genuine decisions to follow Jesus!
What does engagement look like?
A thriving church has a healthy children’s ministry, and we have seen so much growth in who is attending TGP Kids each week!
While 2023 averaged 75 children, this year has averaged 89 children with peak attendance in certain weeks over 100. This consistent growth has been paired with two additional classrooms and supported by an increase of volunteers. (At the start of the year, we had 75 volunteers, and more recently, we have had 95-100 volunteers.)
Through our growing opportunities with kids of all ages, we engage in relational discipleship, rooting kids in Scripture and equipping them for a life of faith!