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Kids Happenings January 2019

Hello church family,
As I write this article, it brings to the surface many emotions.  As you know, this will be my final article to write as a staff member of our church.  With a lot of prayer and thought I have decided that it will be best for me and my family to step away from my position as the Children’s Director at our church.  I am at peace with this decision and am so blessed to have had this opportunity to be Oakhill’s Children’s Director and to love on each of your children.

I would like to share my heart now so you can better understand. Oakhill is my church family, it is where my husband, girls and I call our church home.  I genuinely love the people that make up this amazing church and I love being a servant of our Lord.  Pastor Alan has often told me and most of you that ministering to others can be messy.  This is all so true, with ministry comes the heaviness of carrying each other’s burdens because we have a great love and care for each other.   With the weight of vocational ministry pressing in on my family and me, I know without a doubt that God is wanting me to place more focus on my family and nurture our love for our church.

This change is bitter sweet because with change comes sadness, nervousness, and even fear.  Proverbs 3:5-6 comes to mind when I think of this change “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, do not depend on your own understanding.  Seek His will in all you do and He will direct your path.” There are no better words for us to go to during this time of change.  When I consider this decision, I am able to look back and see Gods hand moving long before the thoughts even came to mind.  We may not understand His plan but we trust in Him and we seek His will for the path He wants for us.

My family and I have a strong desire to serve alongside each of you and our Pastors at Oakhill.  Do not get discouraged during this time of change. I know God has great plans ahead for our church, allowing us to bring Glory to Him.  I want to encourage each of you to continue serving in your areas of giftedness.  For those of you that are seeking a place to serve, now is the time to consider children’s ministry.  Our pastors have a true love for the people that make up this wonderful church and I have faith in knowing that they will look to God for wisdom during this transition. Our children’s ministry will continue to be a wonderful place for our children to learn of Christ’s love and allowing them to grow in their spiritual walk.  We have amazing teachers that love children and have great passion to see them have a relationship with Christ.  I’m looking forward to serving in a different capacity with these same teachers.  God’s hand is at work and I’m excited to watch His plan unfold and for the future of our children’s ministry.

Thank you for allowing me to love on your kiddos.

God Bless

Kids Happenings November 2018

Hello church family,
I’m feeling led to share in this article about the many blessings I see within children’s ministry and what goes on in the upper level of our church on a Sunday morning.  If you haven’t noticed, we have a lot of children within our church... We average 100 children ages newborn through 5th grade. This requires at least 35 volunteers each Sunday morning. These amazing volunteers are investing and pour out their love to all of the children.  While “Big” church is taking place our children are also having fellowship with other kids their age, engaging in worship, giving offering and learning God’s word at the same time and right up the stairs.  It’s truly amazing that God provides for our needs and continues to send more children into our ministry.

Two areas within our children’s ministry that I would like to highlight in this article, because I believe it is the silent blessing given by our children, the Missions Giving and Service Project Kids.  Teaching children the importance of giving to others, whether time, money or energy, is one of the most valuable character traits in a child of God.  Every Sunday our children, during worship time, have an opportunity to give offering to a specific need.  They are eager to hear about the ways they, as small children, are able to make a difference in others lives by simply giving. They are also eager to hear how close they are to meeting their goals. Let me add that our children don’t receive any rewards for their giving and or meeting their goals. They understand that the reward is in knowing they are a blessing to others.

Our Service Project Kids give back to our church and community by doing more hands on projects.  These children meet Sunday at 9:30 and are children who have parents that are also serving within our church on that Sunday morning.  (These same children attend their age appropriate life group at the 11 am service.) You may have noticed some of their crafts around the church and didn’t even realize it.  They have helped in a number of different ways, such as planting the potted flowers out front, making bird houses for shut-ins, posters and cards for 1st responders, and even get well cards for loved ones to name a few.

When I see our children serving and giving to others with a joyful heart it shows me that the truths they are learning within our church and in their homes is being played out with a servants heart and more so the Christlikeness that we all should strive to have.  Hebrews 13:16 reads “And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”  It doesn't matter if you have a lot to give or a little, it's the heart that matters!   If you are a parent please remember to ask your child each Sunday how they are making a difference with their giving and service to others. And for everyone else, please encourage our children by letting them know that what they are doing is making a difference in the lives of others.  You never know how a small act of kindness can draw someone closer to God. Thank you for allowing me to love on your little ones.