TRANS-EUROPEAN DIVISION - Kids in Discipleship
[Anne-May Wollan/Children’s Ministries Director/TED; Church Planters in Focus]
Kids in Discipleship (KID) is a life transforming ministry that is making an impact upon children, families, churches and local communities and is taking root through the Trans-European Division (TED). KID is designed for families but has its focus on children. It is a ministry that helps parents become more committed disciples themselves empowering them to disciple their own children to Jesus. It is calling families back to the old tradition of having family worship every day. It is challenging each member of the family to also spend time alone with God, resulting in better relationships between children and parents and a growing connection with God.For the children from the Hafnafjorður church in Iceland, KID has been life-changing. One child who was at first very negative about attending and refused to take part became its greatest advocate. Another child, Jón Grétar, found himself at the top of his religion class being sought out by classmates to answer religious questions like a mini pastor.
KID also led to greater involvement in local life. Seven year-old Jón Steinar responded to one of the lessons by wanting to get involved as a deacon. One Sabbath after arriving home his mother apologised for not mentioning it to the church pastor. To her astonishment Jón responded by saying that he had already discussed the matter with the pastor and was due on duty the next week! When the time for church came around he was the one pushing his parents and brother out of the door saying, “I have to be there to greet the people.”
The spiritual building blocks that the KID programme put into place are still going strong. Jón Steinar, who invited his school friend to church as part of the KID programme two years ago, still has the pleasure of seeing his friend at church every week, as well as her mother!
I asked one of the KID teachers, Thóra Lilja, what legacy KID had left with the church. She replied, “The children still ask for KID – it’s still very active in their memory and their lives are showing the result of regular time alone with God – not just because their parents want them to do this but because they long for it too. It is just so wonderful to see children and families maturing together spiritually in front of your eyes. These children will soon be into their teenage years and KID has provided a foundation for the challenging times ahead.”
