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!

Student Ministries Making an IMPACT

Teen Ministries: 74% of Crowd Receives Christ as Kentucky Drama Team Ministers

On September 25, 2010, the Senior High drama team from Church of the Living God in Winchester, KY had the opportunity to reach out to a group of juvenile inmates ranging in age from 13 to 18 years old. The event was held in Morehead, KY at the convention center. The drama team, known as Maranatha, ministered with two dramas to the 71 juveniles in attendance. There were also performances by Tanya Crevier, the Guinness Book of World Record’s best basketball handler, and Jenn Harris, a Nashville singer/songwriter. By the end of the event, 53 juveniles (74 percent of the 71 attending!) made a profession of faith.

IMPACTING your local community...

As a church that strives to live outside the walls, House of Praise has committed to monthly service projects in our River Valley community. Just in the last couple of months, we have put kindness into action through such events as:

-Assisting in a privately owned, new start-up restaurant remodel
-Two “Camp Neighborhoods” where we bring “VBS” to the neighborhood
-Block Party, with another coming up this weekend
-Susan G Komen’s Paint the Park Pink on the Green (breast cancer awareness and fundraiser)
-Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk
-Free café night for the local University
-Remodeling the teachers’ lounge at Pike Elementary

Pike Elementary is one of 18 Elementary Schools in the Fort Smith district and one of 7 Elementary and Secondary schools within a ten mile radius of House of Praise. The north side of town is noted as having generally lower income households, extreme cultural and racial diversity, and experiencing the greatest need.

As a function of my secular job, I have been assigned Pike Elementary as my school-based station for providing therapy services. So, as the “Missions And Placement Services” Director of House of Praise, it was natural for me to look at Pike for opportunities to serve.


Pike was part of a district wide school remodeling project last year. They received a “new” lounge, but it was never fully finished. Over the last year, they have replaced the refrigerator and microwave as they were using older models that were not of high quality. Even the replaced microwave was over ten years old. The lounge consisted of a small, square room with a few folding tables, hand me down chairs, and blank grey walls. Hardly a relaxing and rewarding place for our educators to enjoy their short lunch breaks.

So, House of Praise worked with the school district to have the project approved. On 10/23/10 twelve House of Praise-ers sacrificed their Saturday to minister to the teachers of Pike Elementary. We painted, cleaned, stocked their cabinets, provided a new microwave, brought in auxiliary lounge seating, and decorated in a refreshing and relaxing beach motif. It was a complete transformation.

The first day back to school, 10/25/10, all I have heard are shrieks of glee coming from down the hall as teachers open the lounge door to be surprised by their new space. What a rewarding experience to see the bliss and thankfulness on their faces. Such a small gift for the ones who serve our community every day.

Summer Camps

What an INCREDIBLE Summer we have experienced this year as we have heard reports rolling in from all across the globe on how God touched teenagers at Youth Camps! Below is an excert from a report we recieved from Youth Camps in Oklahoma!

"We had an exciting summer seen many things happen. God is truly moving in the lives of our students here. At our youth camps this year we seen God deliver teen students from alchohol, drugs, pornography, sexual addictions, depression, suisideal thoughts and homosexuality. We truly serve an awesome God! Then to top it off we baptized over 200 students in water during our 3 weeks of youth camp. There is an excitement and stirring in our land!"

We INVITE you to email us YOUR stories as well as pictures to impact@pcg.org

Impact Haiti team returns home

Bondie' beni ou
Bondye Rinmin ou
Gloua a Dye'
Beni Soi leternel
Mouin Kinmin_ou
Translated means God loves you, God Bless you, Praise the Lord, Praise the Lord, I love you!

It is hard to take in all that was experienced in such a short time. We were a part of 10 services, 1000+ lives impacted in 3 cities. Port-Au-Prince, Cayes and Torcell. The team started this morning in devotion. Shortly after we were on our way. It was hard to leave them. They had impacted us as much as we had impacted them. We are all very thankful for the opportunity to travel throughout Haiti sharing the love of Christ with men, woman and children.
Everyone on the team recieved a certificate for the work of the Lord that they had done in these three cities. We all look forward to what God is going to do in our lives as well as the lives touched in Haiti. Please continue to pray for Pastor Virgil and Janie and all the churches in Haiti.

Bondye' beni ou - God bless you
Your August Haiti Mission Team
Pastor Eddie, Stacy, Terri, Katie, Katlyn and Josh

Last day on the ground in Port-Au-Prince (Friday)

Bon Dye Beni W' (God bless you)

Today we woke and had our team devotional. After devotional we set out to do our last children's service in Port-Au-Prince. We were all sad that it was our last full day but we were determined to give our all. Belmont decided to stay in Haiti at the compound to be a missionary bear. He loved the children and the children loved him. He told the team goodbye. We shared about the power of the word of God. We had about 175 children in service today. After service each child recieved a balloon sword. We gave away about 180 swords.
After lunch the team went to play with the children. When we went down there was about 10 children. By the time we walked to the concrete slab where the school used to be before the earthquake there was about 60 children. We played volley ball, pul, pul, qua(duck, duck, goose) sang songs and handed out raisens and sunflower seeds. This was a great opportunity for the team to interact with the community.
We shared with them and they opened up to us. We had conversations that we will remember for a lifetime. We went there to help and share and we will leave totally changed. As much as we wanted to impact them, they impacted us. It was very hot but we didn't want to leave. We continued to play for a few hours.
We presented Pastor Virgil and Janie with a Haitian tray. They are truly hero's of the faith and listening to them share their heart and passion for mission in the caribbean was a great experience for everyone on the team.
After the service we presented the local pastor with items for childrens ministry. It was so hard to believe that the week had went so fast. When we returned to the mission house we had dinner and served Zet, Manisia and Boss Michelle. They had cooked and served us while we were there. We wanted to honor them by serving them first at dinner. After dinner they shared pictures of thier family. We gave them care packages and thanked them for serving us.
Missions will change your life. I understand that it is hard to wrap your mind around it without going on an Impact trip but I can say firsthand that it changed my life and each person on the team.

Beni from Haiti! (Thursday)

Blessings from Haiti!

We have had a tremendous time in Haiti. Today we shared with the mission church that is in Port-au-Prince. We had so much fun playing games, learning a verse in English and they loved Belmont the missionary bear. You will see Belmont below. During tonights service Pastor Reynould had a little girl share the verse to the congregation in English. He invited them back tomorrow morning at 9am. Please be praying for us that God will continue to use us in a mighty way as it is our last children's service while we are in Haiti.

They listened so intently as Josh shared about God's love and how thier hearts should be like a sponge and soak up the love, instead of like a stone that water just runs off of.

Katlyn posing with the boys that won soccer balls after playing a game. The team took 20 soccer balls to give away. They love playing futball in Haiti.

Belmont the bear shared what was in his heart everyday with the children. Wilord interpreted what Pastor Eddie and Belmont was saying. Today Belmont shared se'it (candy) and told the kids that he was scared but after the kids shared the verse in 2 Timothy 1:7. Belmont was no longer fearful and full of Joy!

After the children service we went tent to tent sharing God's love and passing out care packages. We also prayed for those who needed prayer. Pierre went with us to interpret for the team.

We had the privilege of sharing a birthday celebration with one of our friends and interpretors, Wilord. He turned 23 years old today. His sister Gueldy and friend Pierre shared in the celebration. After the celebration, we went to a revival service on the compound. It was a great experience. Pastor Eddie spoke and Pastor Reynould interpreted. After service we had a great meal for dinner with Pastor Virgil and Janie Kincaid.
It was an amazing day! We look forward to another great day tomorrow. It will be our last full day in Port-au-Prince Haiti. Thanks for praying!