Reflections from a New Club

     Today I want to share with you some thoughts from a church leader (the pastor's wife, in fact) at a brand new Crossroads Kids Club. She wrote this after they had met only three times. I think it is awesome how God is working through their church at this school so quickly. I hope it encourages you!

     "We just completed our third exciting week with this special group of children at our Crossroads Kids Club. I can see how God is touching their little hearts as we share his Word, his love and his joy. The first week we began with 13 children. The second week 26 children attended, and on our third week 30 children came to Club!  As the weeks go by, we can see how the children are beginning to open up. We didn't know what to expect at first, but we have realized that as we demonstrate unconditional love and build relationships with the kids, they become extremely receptive to God's Word. Today (2/2/12) when I arrived, I was so touched when some of the smiling children ran up to me and gave me a big hug. Seeing the team from our church come back every week to be with them, they've begun to trust us and respond to our love and acceptance. One little girl came up and hugged me and said, 'I told my mommy I got God in my heart and she told me, "I'm so proud of you!"' Just seeing the beautiful look of hope in her eyes and hearing the excitement in her voice almost brought tears to my eyes. This girl alone is worth all of our effort!
     In our small groups last week, we had the opportunity to ask the children to accept Jesus as their Savior and four out of the seven children wanted to do that! (The other three already knew Jesus.) I am truly amazed at how quickly these children believe and receive! What a privilege to bring these little ones into God's family.  There is absolutely nothing more satisfying than knowing that you have impacted a child's life for eternity.
     We also have the opportunity to invite the parents personally to come to our church and also to send flyers home with the children. As you build relationships with the children, they want to see you again, learn more about God and visit you at your church.  One child told me, 'Can I please have your flyer again because I lost it and I want to go to your church.' As the children connect with you, they bring the parents along with them! The children themselves are great evangelists. Growing from 13 children our first week to 26 our second week removes all doubt that these children know how to spread the Word about Jesus!
     I believe that we, as a church, have a great responsibility to go and share the gospel with children. Children are not only our future generation, but they are important to God (Matthew 19:14).  We don't know how long this wide open door of opportunity [to go into the schools] will remain open to us.  Therefore, we as a church, must act NOW while it is still open.  Crossroads is that bridge that connects our church to the public school so we can impact these children with the gospel of Jesus. I challenge you to be the church that steps out with Jesus to say, 'Let the little children come to ME!'"