On any given Sunday, Children’s Ministry can feel organized and chaotic at the same time. There are times when construction paper scraps are on the floor, markers are out with missing lids, and pieces of playdough are smashed in the carpet. There can be sounds of laughter from playing a fun game to a crying preschooler who doesn’t want to share a toy. If you serve in Children’s Ministry, I am sure you have many stories of the fun (and not so fun!) events that occur each week. I will never forget one Sunday when a dad came to pick up his preschooler in between service times. The little boy was so upset because he couldn’t find his shoelaces. Although he had his shoes on, the shoelaces were missing! I am still not sure how that happened in the transition time between classes, but we never found the shoelaces!
From the outside, people may see Kids Ministry as just childcare to keep the kids busy so their parents can worship without distraction. That view misses the heart of what Kids Ministry is all about. It isn’t childcare. It’s discipleship. It is laying the foundations of faith for children. It is being a part of what God is doing in kids lives. If you serve in Children’s Ministry, you have a front row seat to watch how God is moving and drawing children to Him.
Children Are the Church Today
We talk about kids as future leaders or the church of the future, which unintentionally can communicate that their faith doesn’t matter yet. Scripture paints a different picture. I love the Bible story when Jesus welcomed the children and blessed them. He also pointed to their faith as an example to others. Children are not just the church of tomorrow. They are the church today.
Books like What About Kids Ministry press leaders and churches to take discipling children seriously. From the earliest ages, we have the opportunity to invest in young hearts and minds. Kids are forming beliefs about who God is and whether He can be trusted. Every Bible story told, every prayer, and every interaction with leaders shape how children understand God and His plan for them.
Children’s Ministry Is Discipleship, Not Entertainment
If Kids Ministry is reduced to only fun games, crafts, and crowd control, some people may struggle to see its eternal impact. True discipleship goes deeper than fun games, messy crafts, and Bible facts.
Kids Ministry That Nourishes emphasizes that spiritual formation happens through repeated exposure to God’s Word, loving relationships with leaders, and environments where children are known and feel safe to ask questions. Of course, we all know that Kids Ministry is full of games, crafts, and fun, but we do all these things with the purpose in mind. This kind of ministry requires intentionality. It asks leaders to think beyond, What will keep them busy for an hour until “Big Church” is over? and instead ask, How is this shaping their view of God, Scripture, and the Gospel message?
Children are forming their worldviews in a culture filled with competing messages about identity, truth, and purpose. Kids Ministry can introduce them to the unchanging truth of God’s Word during the most formative years of their lives. We want children to understand that God’s truth applies to every aspect of life. This biblical worldview guides how children see God, themselves, and the world around them. A strong foundation in God’s truth helps them discern right from wrong and stand firm in their faith even with the culture’s shifting values.
Every Age Matters
One of the most hopeful truths for Kids Ministry leaders is that God works uniquely in every season of childhood. Every Age, Every Stage emphasizes that children grow in understanding as they mature, noting that “kids and teens learn and comprehend concepts differently as they grow.” A preschooler learning that God made them and loves them is just as important as a preteen wrestling with what salvation means. This age-appropriate approach reminds churches that early faith foundations matter. What children learn about God in their earliest years shapes how they interpret Scripture and beliefs later in life.
That’s why the book Every Age, Every Stage emphasizes the importance of a wise discipleship plan that equips churches and families. Discipleship doesn’t happen by accident. It happens when the church commits to teaching biblical truth consistently and relationally across every age and stage.
Every Generation Can Invest in the Next
Children’s Ministry is far more than a program. It is a calling for the whole church. When every generation comes together to serve in the preschool and Children’s Ministry, the impact is great. This multi-generational involvement transforms Children’s Ministry from a siloed effort into a church-wide mission.
Scripture emphasizes the importance of parents and the older generation investing in children. Deuteronomy 6:4-9 and Psalm 145:4 are reminders that passing faith from one generation to another is not just the parents’ responsibility; it is to be shared by all members of a community.
A multi‑generational Children’s Ministry doesn’t happen by accident. It happens when believers say yes to investing in the next generation. This shared mission lightens the load on parents and long-time volunteers and sends a clear message that discipling kids is crucial for the mission God has entrusted to His people.
Kids Ministry isn’t childcare. It’s discipleship. That means we show up prepared and serve with excellence and urgency. We believe that what happens in those classrooms and hallways is not just keeping kids busy. It is helping them meet Jesus, know His Word, and begin a lifelong faith journey.
Keep learning about Next Gen Ministry in this article on how to bridge the gap between Women’s and Girls’ Ministry.
About Kimba Campbell
Kimba Campbell is the Publishing Team Leader for Bible Studies for Life: Kids. She’s a graduate of Texas A&M University (Gig ‘em, Aggies!) with a Bachelor’s in Business Administration, and has a Master of Arts in Christian Education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Kimba’s passion for NextGen ministry has led her to serve in children’s ministry since 1998 in Texas, Georgia, California, and Tennessee. She loves witnessing those “a-ha!” moments when kids begin to understand God’s great love for them. When she’s not serving, she stays active with family pickleball tournaments, game nights, and traveling. Kimba lives in Franklin, Tennessee with her husband and their three boys.
