Jesus loves children...and so do we!

“If I could relive my life, 

I would devote my entire ministry to reaching children for God!”  D. L. Moody

    When I was in middle school. I came to Christ. While there were some dark valleys during my teen years, that anchor of coming to Christ as a teen held firm and changed the trajectory of my life. My wife, Jane, came to Christ, when she was in 2^nd grade. Coming to Christ at early ages gave us a tenderness to the Lord, steering us  in a direction upward with a biblical worldview and eternity in our hearts.

  It’s been called the 4-14 window. Many of our biblical and Christian history heroes and heroines had a heart for the Lord at early ages: Joseph, Samuel, David, Esther, Timothy, Amy Carmichael, Corrie ten Boom, Charles Spurgeon – to name a few. Researcher, George Barna, stresses the importance of children’s ministry and reaching children between the ages of 4 and 14. He writes, “What you believe at age 13 is pretty much what you're going to die believing.” Research compiled by his Barna Group shows that children between the ages of 5 and 13 have a 32% probability of accepting Christ as their Savior. But that likelihood drops to 4% for teens between the ages of 14 and 18, and rises to just 6% for adults older than 18.

  As Child Evangelism Fellowship’s (CEF) President, Reese Kauffman, who himself trusted Christ as his Savior at age eight insightfully stated, “Even if we get the church to pay proper attention to children, there are still 80% who don't walk into a church every week. We need to be concerned about the children outside the church, [too].”

  In a culture that placed little value on children, Jesus went against the current of His day: “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 19:14). Jesus wasn’t commenting on what adults need to do to enter the Kingdom of Heaven or giving insight into what the Kingdom of Heaven is all about. No, He was telling us something fundamental about childhood. Yet, what is happening in many churches, what is happening in children’s outreach for those between ages 4 and 14 is often terribly under supported and invisible to the rest of the church family in the typical evangelical church.

  At Grace, we’re committed to reaching the next generation with the gospel. We have three important ministries where we seek to reach children and where YOU can get involved and touch lives for eternity. 

  This fall we’re launching Amped.  Amped is a 1 day a week, 2 hour after school program meeting on Thursdays from 3:30 to 5:30 pm.

  If we want to make a difference in our community for the gospel, it begins with the youngest members. Many children are “latch key,” in that they come home and spend an hour or more alone after school. In 46% of homes both parents work full time. Grandparents, relatives, or even a neighbor will sometimes watch those children. Women tend to have primary custody and head up single parent homes with 53% of them working full time.

  There is a gap in child care and parents are looking for help. Juggling work, home and parenting is a major hurdle and yet an opportunity for our church to minister, be a blessing and share the gospel.

  At Grace, we’re committed to small yet solid successes. We like to try something, see if it works, then as we have resources – grow the ministry forward from that point. That’s how we’re starting Amped.  

  God has blessed us with the facilities! There is a great need though and no lack of area children. We’re just missing one part. We need committed workers. We need those who will give a few hours a week to partner with us to make a difference in the lives of area children – those who are good at crafts, games, snacks or can teach children. Most of all, they must love Jesus and love children. It’s a two hour commitment just one day a week that’s an eternal investment. If this is something you’re interested in, please sign up on your Connection Card so we can get you more information.  

  We believe that each child is a door to a family and every family is a gateway to a community. By reaching a child, we can make a difference in his or her family. Every family is a gateway to other relatives, friends and neighbors. It’s the ripple effect. And parents appreciate those who care about their children. When you reach children, you reach parents. This isn’t babysitting or childcare. It’s a ministry at a vital time in a young person’s life. Those early years are crucial. Will you help?

  Grace Groups for children and adults start September 9^th! 1000 hours! The average child spends between 900 to 1000 hours in school, usually a public one, each year. While school helps a child make a living, it won’t teach them how to live. Sunday Grace Groups are designed to help both children and adults grow spiritually. Other than your home, they’re one of the few places your child is taught a biblical worldview. We only have a mere 40 hours in an entire year to support what you’re teaching in your home about God and the Bible. Please make it a priority! Sunday Grace Groups meet every Sunday during the school year from 10:45 to 11:30 am.

  Grace Kids isn’t school. Every Sunday we dismiss children 3 years-old to 3^rd Grade prior to the sermon. We want them to sit with their families and experience worship together, yet know biblical teaching that’s appropriate for adults and older children is difficult for younger children. It’s why we have Grace Kids. We seek to be biblical, purposeful and fun at Grace.

  Be sure and read the insert in today’s bulletin explaining why we do what we do in Grace Kids. This is another place where you can get involved and make a difference in a child’s life. If you’d like more information, please sign up on your Connection Card this Sunday.

Can we help you spiritually? Can we help you know Jesus better? Please check out more resources on our church's web page, Gracechurchwi.org. Or, call us at 262.763.3021. If you'd like to know more about how Jesus can change your life, I'd love to mail you a copy of how Jesus changed my life in "My Story." E-mail me at Carson@gracechurchwi.org to request a free copy. Please include your mailing address. 

Reflections on nearly 30 years of ministry

“In life there are milestones each rare and so sweet, sharing with loved ones makes them complete.”

  Recently, I’ve been doing some reminiscing. Remembering Ben’s brain surgery and celebrating his being seizure free for ten years brought back a flood of memories. Then, on our recent vacation, Jane and I re-connected with Don Widener. I baptized Don when he was growing up in our church. It was Don’s father, Ted Widener, who first contacted me in 1988 regarding the potential of being the pastor of Grace Church.  

  This weekend begins my 30^th year as pastor at Grace. Wow! Thirty years? When I was a kid, I thought 30 was ancient. I wasn’t sure I’d ever live to be 30 and was part of the generation taught to not trust anyone over 30.

  Do you want to hear God laugh? Tell Him your plans. When we moved to Burlington from Detroit in 1988, I was on the 5 year plan – we’d be in Wisconsin for 5 years and then off to another ministry, hopefully, in an urban area as I’m a city boy…but God had a much better plan. Grace is not just where I’m the pastor, it’s my family and our community has become an extended family. There’s just something refreshing about shopping in a local store to quickly pick up a few items, and an hour later realizing that you’ve talked to two or three friends and probably should head home.

  Our church is on the brink of a new chapter in our history, yet, we don’t want to forget our past. Many who came before us gave of themselves for the Lord in our church. One of the heavy burdens of long pastorates is that eventually you have to bury your friends. Heaven is all the sweeter for me because I have many “family members” from Grace waiting for me. Sometimes I catch myself starting to share a wonderful story about an old friend, “Do you remember?” and then realize the person I’m talking to wasn’t at our church then. Can I take a moment and tell you about just a few of my friends from Grace who are already Home?

  Bess Norum. If you met Bess, you never forgot her. She was already in her nineties when I first met her, a short little spitfire. She’d sung in the choir for one of Billy Sunday’s crusades. Even at ninety, Bess was passionate about her friends that they might not know Jesus. Our church didn’t have air conditioning back then and it was a chunk of change to add it. When Bess learned how much it was going to cost, she quipped, “You can buy a lot of lemonade for that amount.” Yet, Bess gave faithfully and sacrificially from her limited and fixed income so that we soon were able to install air conditioning. Her funeral was my first, yet it really wasn’t a funeral. It was a celebration of a sparrow who’d been set free.

  Ted Widener. Ted was chairman of our body of Deacons for many years. He was also one of my dearest friends. After meetings he and I’d talk until one of us finally noticed the time and realized we needed to head home. There wasn’t much Ted couldn’t or wouldn’t do when it came to serving the Lord. He was one of the first with a vision for building and expanding our ministry. Though Ted didn’t like change, if the change made us more effective for the gospel, he’d support it, even if it made him uncomfortable. He knew that I had three left hands when it came to repairing things, yet Ted never made me feel stupid or embarrassed. One weekend Jane was away at a ladies’ retreat and Ben began having seizures again. Ted rushed to Whitewater to pick up Jane because I couldn’t leave Ben. I’ll never forget shortly before the Lord called him Home, Ted had been nominated again to be a Deacon. Though he loved our church, he turned it down, sharing with me that there were some things he needed to work on in his life. I loved him for his humility and transparency.

  Connie Thompson. Thinking of her brings both a smile to my face and tears to my eyes. For her, I was never Pastor or Scott, I was “Yo Rev!” She never met a stranger and loved to make others feel welcome. She had a unique gift for making you feel at ease. I think we clicked because our family history was similar. I’ll never forget hugging her when her Dad died. I thought her heart was going to break, she was so distraught. She was one of those rare folk that if she didn’t like something, she didn’t play games – she didn’t know how. Her candor was refreshing. She loved Jesus and loved to sing about Him. The Lord had blessed her with a beautiful voice. She also had a huge heart and it weighed on her to see others hurting. Once when our church was going through a dark period, I came in on Sunday and it was written all over my face, but Connie let me know in no uncertain terms that looking like God had died wasn’t going to fly.  

  Bob Cannon. Bob reminded me that even when I give up, God never does. When I first came in 1988, I’d visit Bob and invite him to church. I lost track of how many times. Finally, I gave up, but God didn’t. Back then, Bob would tell me that he knew the Lord. But just a few years ago, Bob really came to Christ. What a change! It’s what’s supposed to happen when someone comes to Christ. When there’s new life, the Bible teaches there will be fruit. Bob, who’d wanted little to do with Christianity before began digging into his Bible, faithfully worshipped with his brothers and sisters in Christ, and began serving – he loved working with Jr Hi kids. He became a giver. Even when he couldn’t make it to church, his offering did. And Bob became a missionary. His primary field was from his hospital bed as his health deteriorated. He’d share the love of Jesus with the doctors and nurses who cared for his heart, that Jesus had given him a new heart, and how they could have one too.

  That’s only a few who’ve so wonderfully been a part of our church. There are many others. We’re truly, “surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses.” We’re so blessed that as believers, we never say “Good-bye,” just “Good night, we’ll see you in the morning, that great resurrection morning.” 

Can we help you spiritually? Can we help you know Jesus better? Please check out more resources on our church's web page, Gracechurchwi.org. Or, call us at 262.763.3021. If you'd like to know more about how Jesus can change your life, I'd love to mail you a copy of how Jesus changed my life in "My Story." E-mail me at Carson@gracechurchwi.org to request a free copy. Please include your mailing address. "

Serve Him

Ministry is giving when you feel like keeping, praying for others when you need to be prayed for, feeding others when your own soul is hungry, living truth before people even when you can’t see the results, hurting with other people even when your own hurt can’t be spoken, keeping your word even when it is not convenient, it is being faithful when your flesh wants to run away.”

  There aren’t many Sundays when I have mixed emotions on where I’m at and what I’m doing. Today though is one of them. Last week we began our study: Luke – Finding Jesus. I’m really pumped about this new series.  But then I had an offer that I “just couldn’t refuse.” You see, today is Dave Bratlie’s Installation Service at Crossroads Church in Pittsville, Wisconsin.

  A few weeks ago, Dave called and asked if I would preach the “Charge to the Pastor” at this service. I was both humbled and honored. Yet, I struggled with my responsibility to our church, so I asked our Deacons and they gave their blessing. This morning I have the great privilege of speaking at Dave’s church as part of this special service as he begins this new ministry.

  Dave’s life and entry into ministry has been an exciting one. After he and Shawna came to Christ, they became involved in their church. The door later opened for Dave to leading a Bible study. He developed a passion for ministry and went on to seminary…the rest is history. Did you know that that’s normal Christianity? People trust Christ and God lays His hand on some of them, giving them a passion for vocational ministry. They then invest their lives in full time Christian service.

  Somehow we’ve lost that in the church today. It’s very rare today for someone to even consider vocational ministry. I’m not sure why that has become the exception. It’s certainly not because of lack of need or that God’s plan has changed.

  Obviously, not everyone is called to full time Christian service, though everyone is called to be a full time Christian. God’s will, too, is for every believer to be involved in service. That’s a purpose of our salvation and it’s the only way that we find fulfillment and meaning in our spiritual walk. “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10). You’ll often find that some of the most miserable Christians you meet are those who are uninvolved in serving the Lord, giving or evangelism. That’s because we are saved to serve. It’s part of our spiritual DNA. To be uninvolved is to violate our new nature. And that’s why at Grace we diligently seek to help believers find places to serve, areas of ministry, that fit their gifts and how God has designed them. To be candid, oftentimes it’d be easier to hire staff than to seek to enlist and equip volunteers BUT it would be biblically wrong. Often, it’d be easier to just do it yourself. Many times you feel like a parent trying to motivate a teenager. It’d be easy to give up and just do it yourself, but it’s not in the best interest of your teenager.

  Most churches are overflowing with ministries, yet as we examine Scripture, most of those are not necessarily biblical ones. They help a church accomplish its purpose and mission but they’re not necessarily found in Scripture. For example, the Bible doesn’t say anything about a nursery or having a children’s ministry or even small groups for adults. Those are good ministries but they are not necessarily biblical. They give Christians though opportunities to serve.

  The truth is though that most of us can come up with scores of reasons to never serve. Obviously, we’re too busy. We’re either working a lot. Our kids have a lot going on. We’re in school. We’re burnt out. We did it in the past. We don’t feel qualified. I’m sure that you could probably come up with some different ones, even some unique ones.

  But when we fail to serve, it violates how God has designed us. Remember what Jesus did in His last meeting with the disciples in the upper room. He put on a towel, picked up a basin of water and began to wash their feet. Remember, what He said to them: “Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you” (John 13:12-15). The bottom line is that if you love Jesus, you want to serve. And that’s what happened to Dave Bratlie. When Dave got saved, he fell in love, he fell in love with Jesus. And that’s why he’s in vocational ministry today.

  It’s also why at Grace, we work at finding opportunities to serve for every believer. And we start young with things like assisting in Children’s Church. We want young people to have the opportunity to serve the Lord in our worship team, AV ministry, and Sunday Morning Live. We see that as an investment in their spiritual future. Who knows who God will touch and call into another part of His harvest field? Interestingly, the Lord doesn’t call those who are sitting on the bench. He usually begins with a low commitment ministry and then increases their responsibility.

  Most of us came to Christ because of someone serving the Lord full time in vocational ministry. Either they led us to the Lord or they were instrumental in the life of the one who brought us to Jesus.

  The need of a lost world has not decreased since you came to Christ. Our world desperately needs the Gospel. Let’s pray together that the Lord would call more out of our midst to serve Him. Maybe the Lord will call someone to a second career after retirement into ministry. Maybe He’ll touch a young person’s heart. Perhaps, it will be someone, like Dave, who has a family and a career but serving the Lord begins burning in his heart.  

  The person the Lord calls to serve Him might be that young person that you’re teaching in Children’s Church or a child from one of our midweek ministries. They see the love for Jesus and the commitment of the leaders, and the Lord uses it to touch their heart.

  I can guarantee this though. If you’re not involved in serving the Lord, you’re not going to touch anyone’s life. Sadly, your own soul will begin to shrivel because you’re violating God’s design. We are saved to serve. Do you have a ministry? Are you serving the Lord?