Kids Ministry in the Philippines

I believe one can learn the most about the Kingdom of Heaven from children, and this fact has only been made more and more clear to me in my missionary life. It is because I see Jesus so much in children, that I have officially decided to run a kids ministry. Every Thursday night, I do my best to instill the Word of God in 60 to 70 kids, ages 0-14.

Our missionaries here in Malaybalay have always had a bible study on Thursday nights, and in order for parents to attend, a simultaneous kids ministry. Over the years, different missionaries have tried to take it over and do activities and lessons with the kids. Many of the attempts were quite successful, too. However, as missionaries have gone home or changed mission posts, there was nothing really happening for the kids ministry when I got here. They would watch a movie and run free for the hour and a half that they were there.

It wasn’t long after arriving here that I felt in my heart that the Lord was calling me to use that hour and a half for ministering to these kids. For a few months, I simply supervised as the kids watched their movie. Sometimes, I would try to get them to sing a song or play a game, but mostly found those efforts unsuccessful. It was clear in my heart that God wanted to push me out of my comfort zone to really shake things up.

He revealed to me how the foundation of my faith was truly formed in my childhood. I went to Catholic school and Vacation Bible School every summer. It was there that I learned about Catholicism and how important it was. I was sad when I realized that these kids have never in their lives experienced anything like a Vacation Bible School or even a well-funded kids ministry. So, I started planning my first week.

The first lesson I did with the kids was the book of Jonah. They had a blast making little egg carton whale crafts, playing “Pin Jonah in the Whale”, and even got to take home little booklets which told the story of Jonah.

I realize with each passing week how important it is to share the Love and the Word of Christ with these precious little souls. Many of them have absent parents and lack the attention and love every child needs. All of them are living in abject poverty, and don’t have opportunities like what I had as a child. In fact, this may be the only day in a week where they get to read a book or even color.

I see Jesus in each child in a real and amazing way. Most of them give the best hugs of anyone I’ve ever met. I can tell that slowly, their lives will be transformed by the effort and love put into kids ministry.

And, as you can imagine, planning and executing a night of kids ministry is no small task. It takes both money and time. What’s good is that it costs less than three dollars a kid per week. But, with so many kids, that means anywhere from $70-$80. This money goes to the craft, game, supplies, and decorations.

I’m asking now for your prayerful consideration in giving to this ministry. In giving, you will be offering these kids an experience which could dramatically transform their lives. In giving them Jesus, you give them everything.

Please continue to pray for my mission, and especially for these kids who are changing my life one smile and hug at a time. I see many of these kids throughout the week as our team helps their families with medical needs, food, and prayer. They need prayers so that they may know their beauty and worth as children of God. And, in helping this kids ministry run, you show them that they are worth choosing a life that glorifies God as they grow.