What do you get when you combine 36 motivated children’s ministry workers, three excited trainers, and lots of fun activities? A KidZ At Heart Toolbox event!
KidZ at Heart March 2010 training group
The first KidZ At Heart Toolbox event in South Africa was held 17-18 March in Johannesburg. The purpose of the KidZ At Heart training is to equip children’s ministry workers in local churches to reach and teach kids in their own cultures. The training sessions included topics like How KidZ LEARN Best, Eight Wonderful Ways KidZ LEARN, How to Bring the Bible to Life which taught 12 creative story-telling techniques, How to Lead a Child to Christ, and Helping KidZ Learn to Pray. Using lots of hand-on activities to model the principles being taught, the sessions had participants involved from beginning to end. And with plenty of spiritual encouragement, everyone left the event feeling energised and ready to return to their ministries.
A KidZ at Heart teaching session
With half of the participants coming from projects that serve vulnerable children and the other half from local churches, this Toolbox event demonstrates the exciting synergy that exists between Walk Thru the Bible and turn the tide 4 children in strengthening local churches to care for children’s spiritual needs. What could be more important for children, whether vulnerable or not, than to be led into a deep and life-changing relationship with God?
Charlotte Moore, a missionary who has served ttt4c for six years, led the training team. She was joined by Kim Bogart and Mary Banas, two KidZ At Heart trainers from the U.S. Their passion for equipping children’s ministry workers was evident to all. Since Charlotte is based in Johannesburg, she will be mentoring some of the participants who want additional input in their ministry.
A KidZ at Heart small group discussion
After the event, participants shared their excitement:
“What a blessing it has been. Practical, fun, good material and I really experienced the presence of God. I feel encouraged!”
“Now, I will make lessons more fun for children to enjoy. I will make sure children learn something they can apply in their daily lives.”
“God used you, big time in my life and I believe in my husband & children’s lives as well. People who came to see me at work were commenting about how beautiful I looked and mind you it is only two days that I was not at work. I told them that it is God, I feel washed. The past two days the Holy Spirit did something to me that I cannot explain in words.”
“I will change the way I have done things with children before now. I used to be ‘one size fits all’ but now I will be more accommodating, knowing their different learning styles.”
“When I got here I felt empty, down and frustrated. Now I feel whole again.”