Changing the World Starts Here!

I wanted to write this note to bring a much needed spotlight on the Children’s ministry of Bethel. When you think about our calling as a Church to see families restored, disciples made, and nations transformed, it all starts with our children.

There is no higher calling than to minister to the heart of a child the encouragement and grace of Jesus Christ. The rewards of helping children develop lives of faith are vast. The children will forever remember the kind and encouraging spirit that comes from a teacher or worker that shares Christ's love with them.

In the coming days we are trusting that God will give us the laborers we need for this harvest field. That’s right, the children’s ministry represents the most open and fruitful harvest field we could hope for. Trusting little hearts are the most fertile soil for even the smallest seeds of faith.

When we think of missions we imagine heroic men and women braving the dangers of land and sea to bring the Gospel to a needy people at the ends of the earth. While this is critical, there is another needy area of the world that is no farther than a few steps from our Church sanctuary. While our hearts tell us that we would be willing to help the great needs in other places, we can begin by proving ourselves faithful right where we live.

If we are to be true to our calling as believers, we must demonstrate our love for Christ through our acts of service and love to those around us. This must begin with our children. Let me say it plainly:

If we want to change the world, it starts here!

So let me ask this question: What can we do to make this the most exciting and excellent ministry of the Church?

It begins with me as the Senior Pastor. It is my job to lead us as a Church under the ultimate leadership of Christ. I am praying that the preaching and teaching will produce a people that possess a servants heart and deeply understand the importance and priority of ministering to children.

It also means that the people of God rise to the challenge that is before us. As the culture grows more and more spiritually bankrupt, we are in constant danger of becoming jaded and insensitive to the most obvious and pressing of needs. When adults become self-absorbed, children suffer. We must resist the temptation to turn our backs on our responsibility as believers.

Here is a simple way to see it.: If you have ever sensed a need in our children’s ministry or spotted a deficiency of any kind, it was probably God speaking to you to help. Specifically, we need the full weight of the spiritual gifts, as well as the creative talents of our church to step up and contribute.

More bluntly, if you have children who utilize any aspect of children’s ministry you are definitely called to help. Whether it’s to teach a class, or change a diaper, every one can make a contribution.

In the coming months there will be literally hundreds of new people coming to our Church, Bethel World Outreach Center, to visit for the first time; whether in Brentwood, Nashville, Franklin, Spring Hill, Clarksville, or Murfreesboro. Quite possibly, their entire perception of Christ and us as His followers could come down to the presentation of those in the children’s ministry. I trust that not only will they be encouraged by what they see, but we will exceed their expectations for the Glory of God.

We deeply appreciate Pastor Wayne and Lynn Headley and all the staff and volunteers in all of the six Bethel congregations that work tirelessly to make this a reality. Let’s rally around them with united hearts and watch the blessings of God fall upon us all.