God is so amazing! He is doing great and wonderful things at PCC. Evidence of His wonderful work is definitely present in the children's ministry as well. Our children and children's ministry have experienced an abundance of blessings. The Lord has truly answered our prayers with His awesome deeds. There's no other way of explaining what has been happening other than the Lord has his hand upon it all.
First, our ICE CREAM & JESUS midweek children's Bible Study has just EXPLODED this summer! We had a record number of children last night - 21 to be exact. This is AMAZING for two reasons. First, in past Wednesday night groups we averaged around 8 to 12 children...MAX. However, our summer group has consistently had an average of 16 to 18 children. Praise God! Secondly, this is summer. Families are on vacation and are usually hit or miss on regular activities like this due to summer activities. Despite these past statistics and odds, GOD moved this ministry to overcome these obstacles. Children are HUNGRY for the Word and are EAGER to soak it up. Praise the LORD that HE has moved on the hearts of these children and their parents. I can't believe what is happening right before my very eyes! Children are hearing the Word, they are understanding the Word, they are asking questions about the Word, and they are opening their hearts to Christ! Christ is being preached and received by little hearts! AMAZING!
God is working here, therefore, we will continue to have our ICE CREAM & JESUS midweek Bible Study through the fall. The high attendance and the success of this ministry indicates that CHILDREN WANT AND NEED this type of ministry. AMEN!
In addition, we had around 14 children give their lives to Christ this summer and be baptized! Some committed themselves to Christ at VBS and others just prior to or right after VBS. AWESOME! My heart is overflowing with joy over these new believers! In addition, I had another young boy come to me this past Sunday to tell me he received Christ and wants to be baptized. PRAISE THE LORD! God is working on these young hearts!
We also have a wonderful group of volunteers. These friends of mine are just awesome and great at what they do! From our check in/hall security team to our teachers and helpers. Though we are praying for more helpers to ease the workload, these wonderful people serve with joyful hearts and are faithful. As a testimony to the character of these volunteers, one couple who teaches diligently study the Sunday lesson on Wednesday nights, preparing while their daughter attends youth group. Other volunteers not only serve and teach on Sundays, but they happily stick around on Wednesday nights to help with the children's group. I thank God always for each and every one of these awesome people. Another volunteer and her son not only serve in children's ministry, but they also do mission work with children in Easter Europe. Another wonderful lady serves in children's ministry, nursery, and heads up an outreach effort to local nursing homes. Others on our team serve Christ in so many other capacities - adult small group leaders, teen ministry, welcome center, and much more. What an awesome group of people!
Our Sunday mornings are also reving up for the school year. We are studying the life of Paul in the book of Acts. We have some wonderful Biblical truths the children will be learning and applying to their lives.
Pray for our age level ministries - nursery, children, and teen! Pray for the children and young people we serve. These ministries are here to make new disciples - not babysit nor entertain! Want to see God do exciting stuff? Then step up and step into serving in one of these amazing ministries! You can witness and be a part of changed lives. You will be blessed by the experience!
In His Love, Cathy
