starting the REVERSE...

Kid’s Ministries: Evaluating How We “Do” Children’s’ Ministries
by Carrie Underwood, Indiana District Youth Director

After beginning our first term as Indiana District Youth directors in fall 2008, we began to seek God’s heart about the way we as leaders “do” youth ministry. Not just teen ministry but, more specifically, the way we impact our children. In a world where our culture constantly attacks the attention of parents and kids, it was our passion to see God to awaken the dormant spirits in our children and equip them for the work of the ministry NOW.

In the most perfect season, we witnessed the fruition of that prayer at our 2010 Kids Excel Expo. God established a foundation in the hearts and minds of our leaders and kids throughout the Expo, and by the conclusion of the Encounter session, the Holy Spirit had sealed and impressed into our Spirits the heartbeat of “The REVERSE.” KUEST for Excellence leaders, Tom and Kathy Toney, brought forth a unique ministry session that combined a challenging word of God to leaders, while awakening the spiritual gifts in our kids, empowering them to lead NOW, serve God NOW, and do the work of the ministry NOW!

We encourage leaders all across the country to take a break and really evaluate with us how we are “doing” children’s ministry. Is it effective? Are we equipping and empowering our children to win their friends and families for Christ? Or have we slipped into “entertainment” mode? It’s time to start the REVERSE, and Indiana is shifting gears!