Ms. Dorothy

What would you sacrifice 

so that a child could know Jesus?

This month we highlight our Adventureland ministry, the children’s ministry at Adventure.   The pic above is just part of the team that serves both campuses.

I would like to make the case that every church member should serve the Adventureland children’s ministry either formally or informally. I will make that case by telling you the story of my first Sunday school teacher, Mrs. Dorothy Barlow.

Dorothy was the first Sunday school teacher for me and most of my siblings. I can’t tell you a specific lesson she taught about Jesus, but I can remember three things about her class. First,there was the Kool-aid and cookies. Oh, how I loved to dunk my little cookie in the red Kool-aid. Sounds disgusting to me now, but I loved it as a kid. Second, I remember the tithe robot. It was this see-through robot we would drop our quarters in every week. It was through this experience I learned not the “duty” of tithing, but the love of tithing. Finally, I learned respect for God’s house. Dorothy was not an intimidating presence, but if you acted up in class your parents would be notified and the warming of the rear-end would help me to keep my caboose in my seat next Sunday morning.

Dorothy has since passed, but her influence on myself and my siblings has been enduring. Long after we were out of Sunday school, she kept tabs on me and my family. She attended my wedding and most all major celebrations in our family. This taught me that she loved more than just teaching. She loved me and all the kids that came through her class.

So here is my Soul and Service challenge for you:

First, even if you don’t see yourself as a teacher of kids, your presence as a helper in the classroom or as part of our security team can help establish lasting relationship with our kids that will spiritually benefit them long after their class time is done.

Second, tithe to the church first before you give money to the children’s ministry and teach your children to do the same.

Third, teach your children respect for God’s house. We want them to play and have fun at church, but if a teacher can’t teach because the kids are being too rowdy they just might quit teaching. Remember, all our teachers are volunteers so when you see someone with an Adventureland or security shirt on, be sure to thank them for serving our kids.

Finally, even if children’s ministry is not your thing, interact with the kids and the youth you see at church. Case in point, most of my lasting relationships from church when I was kid are not my fellow classmates or even my teachers, but the adults who befriended me outside of the classroom.

I'm a Soul Man,
Pastor Jason