Children's Workers Conference June 13th-16h in Melbourne

I had an amazing time connecting with children's workers across our district.  Chris and I boarded a plane and flew to Melbourne so that I could start the ground work for what is to come with Children's ministry in our district.  As I had been in contact with the pastor's and ministry workers it had become evident that we do not offer much for children and that we only "run" something if we need to. This is a big worry and fear for me, because families and children are important for our district to grow in the faith and numbers.   I wasn't really sure what God was wanting me to focus on at first but, then He just let my head RUN with stuff and He impressed on my heart 4 messages to share and IW as just blown away at how God wanted to use me to help minister to these churches that are part of our district.   Many of these people I had never met before and so I knew only one person in the room, but God was able to just open up the atmosphere and it was as if I had knows these partners for the Kingdom for forever.  

I was able to share a message that God laid on my heart about children's ministry. And, it was called, God called someone like you!  and, my sermon was basically me giving a share of the people who had impacted my life growing up and what they had done to bring me to a closer relationship with Jesus, and amazingly... NONE of them had been to Bible College, and NONE of them were pastors! and, I was able to share with them the important people of my past.  For those of you in our home church, these names might ring a bell... Luann (my mother),Dana,  Dot, Gloria, Elaine, Barb, David and Carol, Jan, John, Bill, Matt and Carman, Bob, Carol, and Sam.  There were MANY people who encouraged me in my faith and showed me something that has been important my entire "faith walk".   And, it was amazing to see these workers minds open up to the possibilities of the kind of people that can help them minister to children.  

My second message was on the foundation of our children's ministry. Making sure it is founded on the Bible and God!

My third message was on the circles of volunteers!

My 4th message was on the things we fill our ministry with our goals, desires, and passions, to see it become something that just not affects children, but impacts, families, and the church.

God really blessed me, and made me step out of my comfort zone.. I had never done something like this before, But, God knows that I can do this job, I just need to trust and rely on him, to give me all that I need. May God show me how to help minister to the children of the "Southern District ".

Melissa