First off I want to take a minute or two and just express how blessed and grateful I am to have participated in this past weeks experience here at the Gathering.  When we get a chance to give out T-shirts to our first time guests each weekend during our services, the quote on the front, which reads “Experience the Gathering”, is not just a catchy saying to get people’s attention.  The Gathering truly is an EXPERIENCE like no other and anyone who stepped foot on the parking lot this past week knows exactly what I mean. 

For those of you who read this blog and do not attend The Gathering Church, this past week we had the privilege of taking part in the first ever “Christmas at the Gathering”.  We had over 1,500 children receive brand new bikes, coats and their choice toys as well as their families receiving a Christmas dinner basket.  I was blessed by so many of the children that arrived on our parking lot with nothing this past week, yet all of them leaving with a smile, knowing that Jesus Christ loves each and every one of them.   

In addition to the 1,500 children we had on the parking lot participating in Christmas at the Gathering this past week, we also had about 15 to 25 youth and children volunteers from the KIDZPLAYCE and S.W.A.T. ministries here at the church each day.  And being one of the children’s leaders here at the church I got to oversee all of these children and youth volunteers.  Now when I say “got to”, I really mean I had no choice, it simply comes with the Children’s ministry territory.  Now don’t get me wrong, Chuck love the kids, and boy howdy they work just as hard as anyone, it can just be a little difficult to keep tabs on all of them from time to time during something of this size.  I mean you have kids running around dressed as elves, raggedy Ann, bears, Rudolph, toy soldiers, Mary, Joseph, shepherds, angels, wise men and of course the sock monkey.(remember him he comes into play later)  Bottom line is you just have to find something down their alley and somehow relate a job to that alley.

Apparently on Wednesday we had the crowd who’s alleys consisted of cardboard boxes and dumpsters.  You see I was approached Wednesday afternoon by a certain maintenance man who requested I have a child hop up in the cardboard dumpster and smash down the boxes so more cardboard would fit.  So, I found a child who was interested and willing to take part in this activity.  We will keep with the running alias’ and refer to him as “Alfred” again. I presented his assignment to him, he gladly accepted without hesitation climbed into the dumpster and began to work. 

A few seconds later, somehow I was “volunteered/recruited/asked/told” whichever verb you choose, to scoop up a few live nativity participant’s “leftovers” in the parking lot.  I think you catch my drift.  Following this humbling activity, I made my way back to the top of the parking lot to dispose of the “leftovers” I noticed many of the volunteer children were missing.  As I approached the back area behind the tents and barns my ears detected a familiar sound of laughter and the crushing of cardboard. 

As my eyes focused in on the cardboard dumpster I observed what looked like a Fairytale/North Pole WWF battle royal.  I promise you there were at least 12 kids in, on or around this dumpster layin’ the smack down on a variety of cardboard items.  I gently set the “leftovers” aside and viewed this as a great opportunity to practice my future Dad voice…

…to be continued

So this afternoon as I sat in the ol’ KIDZPLAYCE office sippin’ some bottled water, throwin’ back a few Girl Scout cinnamon and sugar coated peanuts and re-vamping our Small Groups I suddenly recalled on of my first experiences in Children’s Ministry.

It all began while we were presenting a series which focused on Moses and the Exodus of Egypt.  This particular week our Bible story centered around Moses and the parting of the Red Sea.  Throughout this adventure I will introduce you to two characters (elementary students), for the sake of numerous privacy acts and Internet regulations, let’s call character A, “Alfred” and character B, “Bernard”.

Moving forward, as we gathered into our small groups and began to discuss Moses and the tremendous faith required in parting the Red Sea, I began to see the wheels in these kids heads start spinning.  I just knew we were going to be in line for the 20 questions version of Small Group on this day, but surprisingly there was not a peep.  Then i realized the kids were all focused on the aluminum pan full of water setting on the table to my right.  Acknowledging this I decided we would jump directly into the hands on part of the lesson and get to the discussion part later.  Walking over to the table I grabbed this pan of water (which was of course filled to the brim) and attempted to lug it back over to the group.  Inching ever so slowly as if I were a Chinese Acrobat tip-toeing across a piece of dental floss, taking into account every detail in the wind direction and speed I successfully returned to my destination arriving without spilling one single drop of water on the carpet or any of the children.

I began with a few ground rules for our little activity, in order to try and part the water you could use one of two methods, your hands, or your breath.  The only other stipulation was that there cold be no water spilled outside the pan.

The action began with a Jim Carey like, Bruce Almighty, part the tomato soup hand gesture which was quickly up scaled by the red faced blood vessel bursting attempt to part the water with ones breath.  Both obviously did not work, so little “Alfred” raised his hand and politely asked for a turn.  With a determined face and quick action he placed both hands into the pan in the prayer position then gradually pulled his hands apart attempting to divide the water right down the middle.  Needless to say this attempt by little “Alfred” was not successful.  He sat back with a heartbreaking look of disappointment on his face.  Then out of the corner of my eye I witnessed something that blew me away.  Little “Alfred” had remembered the story of Moses and how much faith he had that God wold part the sea and save His people.  “Alfred” recalled our main point for the day which told him that anything is possible with God.  So, “Alfred” folded his hands, bowed his head and began to pray.  I was mesmerized at the faith little “Alfred” had showed.

Following a quick five to ten second prayer “Alfred” requested a second shot.  He reached into the pan with his hands folded and once again attempted to part the water, but once again it was not successful.  As “Alfred” sat back, I made an effort to address his faith and use it as a teachable moment for the kids.  I think I had pronounced one syllable when I heard someone shout, “I CAN DO IT!!!”  As fast as my super fast tiger-like reflexes are, there was no stopping our second Character, “Bernard” and his Jackie Chan like moves.  With one swift karate chop, “Bernard’s” forearm smashed into the aluminum pan folding it in half faster than a birthday card from Granma with no cash inside.  Water took off in all directions plastering us as if we all had just gotten off the Log Fume ride.  The entire room fell silent instantly, all eyes were on me, my face began to burn and transform into a fruit punch like red color, my hands began to shake and my heart pounded underneath my shoulder-padded western shirt.  “Bernard” sank back to his dry piece of carpet and uttered a soft muffled apology.  I gladly accepted it with a sarcastic grin and two thumbs up.

“Bernard” did not have the right answer and he did what many of us do, he simply acted, without taking the time to ask God, without sitting quietly and waiting on that still small voice.  I think we could use a few more “Alfred’s” in this world.  Of course he did not part the water during this activity, but he did have the faith that God could do it and he set back and listened for that voice.  Thank God we have a Pastor who is not afraid to sit quietly, listen and obey.

Let us Listen

Astonished, more simply put, amazed is how I walked away from this weekend’s services.  This year’s Chest of Joash weekend was a holy and pure moment in the life of our very young church family, and a service that will stay ingrained within my mind for a life time.Over the last three weeks back in KIDZPLAYCE we had been attempting to explain to the kids the story that goes along with our annual Chest of Joash service.  I wasn’t quite sure the children would be able to fully wrap their minds around the multitude of sacrifices and prayers that were going to be lifted up and surrendered on this special weekend.  But each week we continued to share the story with them, praying that we were able to teach it with a method that made sense for them.  Each child received their own chest and was encouraged to place their personal offerings and prayers inside.  Then, on the weekend of December 1^st & 2^nd2007 during my second Chest of Joash experience these kids absolutely blew me away.  I sat on that front row during each service and watched child after child walk to that chest with their family, weeping together, kneeling down together and calling upon their Forever Friend.  They got it, they understand!  This realization of Trust and Sacrifice that took me 20 years to appreciate, these kids seized during their elementary years.  Each child and adult had the privilege to experience this amazing God filled service and I am so excited to hear about the miracle prayers that will be answered in the coming years as a result of this holy weekend.Each week I walk away from KIDZPLAYCE reminded to take a timeout and experience a little childlike faith, I see that sometimes I need to take a step back and learn a little something from these children instead of getting caught up in trying to teach them all the things I think I know.  One thing I learned this weekend, when you let God know you are trusting Him, He likes to provide you with an opportunity to walk it out.