Making disciples of all kids

JoLT team and puppets

At Marysville FMC (WA), they’re creatively leading people to Christ and embracing them into a community of growing believers. Among the most impacted are the children and their parents.

Kids’ Club is a ministry for kids from preschool through 6th grade that seeks to help them find their purpose in Christ while embracing the notion that the parent is meant to be the child’s primary spiritual leader.

Using an incredibly fun curriculum created by Director Shawna Gould, Kids’ Club members share a weekly meal, then participate in large and small group times of fellowship and teaching, crafts, fun and games.

JoLT (the Junior Leadership Team) includes third through sixth graders who help with opening and closing sessions as well as puppet shows and other creative ventures that encourage a deepening relationship with God. At the city’s summer jubilee in August, JoLT members wrote and performed their own puppet plays, helping a multi-church effort to raise money for school supplies for needy families. Some 100 people came to Christ during the event.

Gould has also created the Mailbox Club, a unique approach to discipling young people and getting their parents involved as well. Members of the club receive six lessons (one by one) to work through at home with mom and/or dad’s help. Six volunteers receive the assignments and return them with the next lesson, along with comments and encouragement (for both students and parents). When all six lessons are completed a certificate is issued. These families discover together the joys of living for Jesus and the benefits of being involved with a local church.

Children's discipleship materials created by Shawna Gould.

Kids’ Club organizers also put scripture memory verses into rhythmic chants accompanied by drumbeats, etc., record them onto CDs and give one to each participating family. The rate of recall is very high, and everyone has fun.

This FM church is actively making disciples. Kids’ Club is just one example of their creative spreading of the good news and training up of those who have put their faith in Christ.