kids@ashgrove 2011

We catch up with Tim Sweetman to reflect on what has happened in Kids' ministry in 2011.

It was right after the JAM Family Skate night that one of the Mums whispered to me not to tell her son, that they wouldn't be at the next JAM event because they were going for an overseas holiday.  I replied how nice it would be for their son to have a surprise overseas trip sprung on him when the Mum replied, "oh no, he knows about the trip, but if he realises the overseas trip means he'll miss the next JAM, he won't want to go!" 

Encounters like this mean so much.  To think that a little fella from the community would rather come to JAM than go for an overseas holiday is amazing.  It's these stories that remind us that God has been at work powerfully in the lives of kids and families at ashgrove in 2011. 

It's been a big year for kids@ashgrove. Fuel has been re launched with a kids worship time, creative Bible story time and a whole stack of new leaders. JAM was expanded to include kids from Prep to Grade 7 and it's been our first full year of the program.  Many families came to join us in our two special family services. 2011 also saw the first kids ministry launch event and the first kids holiday program "Circ de Ashgrove".  

As we round off kids ministry at ashgrove for 2011, and as some of the stories surface about what God has done in the lives of kids and families, it's right to stop and to say,  " we praise You God and thanks for what You have done." 

It also fills us with anticipation for what God has in store for 2012. JAM, Fuel and a Kids Holiday Program are all part of what's coming up in the New Year and we've got a Kids Hope Oz Mentoring Program set to go at Ashgrove State School.  If I know God at all I'd say we're in for another year of seeing God bless kids and families incredibly!