Welcome to K.I.D

I Found It!

On the 1^st of October, 2008, I answered a call from the Lord and assumed leadership of the Merseyside district of churches. Being new to the district, I realized that I needed to understand the specific needs of the four congregations and therefore devoted a large portion of the first few months to prayerful observation and talking to the members.

This soon revealed three key challenges: firstly, a need for consistent corporate and individual Bible study and revision of key Scriptural teachings among church members; secondly, a need for an effective, visionary and vibrant children’s ministry that would ensure that our children were not only brought up in the faith, but also greatly increased their discipleship and outreach as well; and thirdly, a restoration of basic discipleship disciplines, namely family worship. Whilst these may appear self-evident in many congregations, the challenge was to devise effective, Christ-centred solutions that enabled the church family to overcome worldly distractions and give Bible study, training of children and family worship the necessary priority in their lives.

The providence of God was then revealed in wonderful ways in answer to prayer over these same issues in the district. Through personal entreaty and a committed effort at relationship building, we were able to introduce Bible studies both for the church at large and other interest groups such as the Youth, Women’s Ministries and new converts; all of which have witnessed growing support from an enthusiastic membership. However, family and children’s ministry remained an outstanding challenge.

In the midst of this, God sent Pastor Jack Felix to the Liverpool Central Church on the 20^th of December, 2008 to introduce the Kids in Discipleship program. (I am a bit ashamed to admit that I initially thought it was just another program until I attended it. Now I know that it is a ministry.) This was to be run by the British Union Conference from the Stanborough offices on the weekend of the 25^th of April, 2009.

As part of the program, pastors where required to attend the training session along with teams from their churches. I thank God for the vision of the organisers in placing this requirement on pastors as I am doubtful I would have gone otherwise. The four days in Watford gave me what I had been looking for. They brought to view a new vision; a new approach of imparting the word of God to this generation, calling our families to be grounded in God’s word. The team from Merseyside was blessed and became thoroughly equipped by the training. In fact, the district is planning to send a second team to attend the next training session in October, 2009. In addition to this, we have commenced preparations for the implementation of the concepts learnt at the “Kids in Discipleship” training session. Based on the promises of God’s word, as well as our own experience in the reviving power of a return to the basics of Bible-based ministry, we have every reason to believe that introduction of the ministry will yield extremely positive benefits for our children, our families, the church at large and the communities in which we are based.

I had asked God to help me to find a tool to minister to our children and prevent them from leaving the church. I thank God I found it! How about you? I encourage ministers who have a longing to keep our children in the church and to see them as faithful disciples of Jesus Christ to make sure that they and their church members attend this training session.

Ebenezer, Daniel,

Church Pastor, Merseyside District of Churches