Have you ever thought what it might be like to have lived back in the 1st Century? Back during the times we read about in the book of Acts? There were miracles, the church was sending missionaries all throughout the known world, new churches were starting almost every week. Most importantly, people were being saved. One of my favorite passages is Acts 2:42-47
42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
Imagine the picture! The Lord was adding to their number every day! More and more people were being saved every day! Wouldn’t you love to be part of a ministry like that? We may be on the brink of God moving like that right here at Heartland. Let me tell you what I mean. A little over a month ago, I made an announcement that we needed help with the meals for Wednesday night. God provided just the person we needed (thank you, Charlene Matousek). Little did I know I would be coming back to ask for more help, but not in the kitchen.
First, a little celebration. With no transportation offered, our first night of Kids ROCK had 47 kids. That’s higher than any single night in the entire 2018-2019 program. The next week, when the vans started running, God blessed us with 55 kids. Then, last week, God brought 63 kids! God is blowing this ministry up right before our eyes! This is a lot like that passage in Acts! Isn’t it exciting!
Yesterday, I had a mom stop in and register her 4 kids for Kids ROCK and they need transportation. I reached out to Dan Cummings (who is coordinating transportation this year) to tell him about 4 more kids. And we found a problem, we didn’t have four available seats on any of our vans if all of the kids on that route came. Another route means we need a driver and a captain for that route. Last week, with that awesome attendance, we had eighteen Kindergarten and 1st graders with only three adults in the classroom. We really need to split that class up, but to do so we need another teacher and two more helpers. We had twelve 2nd graders and only 2 helpers. We really need another helper there. We had eleven 3rd graders, eight 4th graders, and fourteen 5th graders. If God continues to bring the kids, all of those classes will be maxed out and we will need to start new classes, but, again, we will need more helpers to make that happen. We have some who are helping (and others who would like to help), but they need childcare for their younger children. And with all of these blessed challenges on Wednesday nights, we should expect God to bring about similar blessings on Sunday mornings. That means more teachers, helpers, and nursery workers.
God is at work in our children’s ministry! Would you prayerfully consider joining God in this work?
Until all have heard,
Pastor Tony
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