I feel I need share my heart for the children as the Children’s pastor of this church. I have had an urgency in the Spirit in regards to the children NOT being conformed to this world. Romans 12:2 says this: “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
I see many children today being distracted by much and being conformed to this world rather than the likeness of Jesus.
Romans 8:29 | 2 Corinthians 5:17 | Titus 3:5)
My prayer and focus right now for all we do as a children’s ministry is that the children would taste and see that the Lord is good, that their daddy in Heaven truly love them, that they would know the Father’s love and that they would have the tools they need to fight against the enemy and his sneaky attacks!
What they need right now is a hunger and thirst for and understanding of God’s Word, to experience the Father’s love, more Holy Spirit FIRE and a close relationship with the Lord if they are going to survive in this darkening world that we live in. We as a children’s ministry aim to provide an atmosphere where the children can learn about and be activated in all of the above!
Luke 18:16 says this: “…Let the children come to Me, and do not hinder them; for to such belongs the Kingdom of God. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” … I really think Jesus meant this when He said it! 🙂 There is this great book I read called : Heaven is for Real: A Little Boy’s Astounding Story of His Trip to Heaven and Back. I highly recommend reading it. In this book, the boy that went to heaven kept on telling his parents and others “Jesus really loves children!”, over and over he would say this until people got sick of hearing it. It’s the truth! Jesus really loves children!
We as a church desire the children to be involved with all we do as a congregation, a big family worshiping the Lord together. I firmly believe that children can be doing things for God right now. They can be involved in prayer, prophecy and serving the Lord now. They do not have to wait to get older to do these things. We aim to provide training, teaching and a safe environment for the children to learn about Spiritual gifts, prayer, spending time with God and understanding His word and how to practically apply all that God has for them in their lives!
We want the children to be (spiritually speaking) properly dressed. See: Ephesians 6:11-20, Romans 13:14, Colossians 3:12. ..and much more…. For more on this, check out our Vision Statement. My favorite part of the full armor of God scripture mentioned above is Ephesians 6:16
“above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.” With faith, the enemies plans have no efect. 🙂 But faith in what? Faith in Jesus Christ – The Way, Truth and Life!
Children today are living in a time where many are confused about the Truth. The mixed message coming at them from the media, internet and their schools is a watered down version of the truth at best and in many cases just plain lies.
A good example of this would be the simple foundational Truth that Jesus Christ is the “only” way to Heaven (John 14:6 and Acts 4:12), being watered down to: “Well, Jesus Christ is one of many ways to Heaven”. This is the big deception right now, that all roads lead to Heaven. This is the big lie. Jesus said there is only one way and He is The Way!
Colossians 2:8 says this: “Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.”
You see, the world has a much different view of how we are to live verses what Christ has for us. Mark 4:19 says this: “and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.”. The cares of this world for children in today’s fast paced world can simply be those things that distract them such as: Facebook, Cell Phones (texting), Computers (Games, Chatting, email etc…), Computer Games (PS3, Wii, Xbox, etc…), Cable TV, the Internet in general (which provides more temptation to sin than children have ever had to face), the news media which is now up-to-the minute global information coming at them at light speed from many different sources from all over the planet we live on. I’m sure you can add to the list. How can God get in through all the static and noise! Children today have to fight through all this mess just to hear God’s voice, let alone being conformed into His image!
Children growing up in today’s world are in a battle. They need real power to stand in this battle. They need a relationship with Jesus Christ they can call their own (not just their parents religion!) and they need the power of the Holy Spirit living in and flowing through their lives! Oh come Holy Spirit and invade our children! Let us not hold them back. Amen!
Some food for thought. Here is how “The Message” version of the Bible translates Romans 12:1,2
“So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life, your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life, and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.”
Peace and Joy!
Tony Baker ~ River Life Fellowship Children’s Pastor