It's That Time of Year

Yes. It's that time of year. Summer is drawing to a close, school supplies and the latest in fashion accessories are being purchased at local department stores by families getting ready to start their school-year routine. So what, if anything, does this mean for AC3 and it's littlest seekers? A lot!

Over the next several weeks, our Kreek Kids leadership team is getting ready to start their ministry-year routine. They're implementing plans that will best meet their ministry mission: Partnering with parents to raise up the next generation of heroes in the faith! Rooms will be viewed with fresh eyes, schedules will get finalized and new and returning volunteers will be encouraged to get their God-given gifts in the game. Why? Because children's ministry matters!

Children’s Ministry Matters Because:

1) Children are a GIFT from God - They are a reward from Him. (Psalm 127:3) It's been fun to watch the many GIFTS that AC3 has been entrusted with over the years. Each child is uniquely packaged in a different shape and size, but all with a desire for direction and encouragement. You can easily spot these spirited and energetic little ones around AC3. These GIFTS from God are sure to reward you with a smile:)

2) Children MATTER to God - Let the little children come to Jesus. It's quite a statement that Jesus actually took offense when people tried to keep children from him or could cause a little one to stumble. (Mark 10:13-16, Matthew 18:5-6) A child's safety and faith development matters to God and so it should to us. We can help keep them safe and direct them on their own path toward Jesus. (Psalm 119:105)

3) Children are DISCIPLES, Now and Later - Matthew 18 reminds us that we can learn a lot from children and their ability to follow, worship, and grow in wisdom, stature and in favor with God and man, just as Jesus did. (Luke 2:52) A 2015 Survey confirms that 63% of Christians accepted Jesus Christ between the ages of 4 and 14 starting their discipleship journey early in life. And just like eating a Now & Later candy, 'It's Always a Good Time' to help disciple and positively influence a child:)

4) Children are FUTURE LEADERS in Our Church -  God's Word is filled with examples of what passing on our faith to the next generation looks like; when it's done right and when a generation fails. Leaving a legacy of faith requires a partnership between parents and their faith community; the local church. (Psalm 78:1-7) Our children are learning to lead now and will be fully in charge much sooner than we think! The question is: how passionately and purpose-filled will we nurture and disciple them so they can help lead the next generation to Christ?

Dwight L. Moody once said, “If I could relive my life, I would devote my entire ministry to reaching children for God.” He understood that children are a gift from God and that their faith development is important, for their sake and the generations to follow. 

As we each prepare to embark on our own household's school-year routine, let's ask the question, "What can I do to insure that children's ministry matters at AC3?" Children’s ministry is one of the most futuristic and strategic ministry partnerships of the Church and we can each be a part of it.

So whether you are an encourager, a defender of the weak, a quiet helper, a growing leader, a first time teacher or a captivating story teller, your partnership in raising up the next generation is valued. What you do is important to His purposes not just now, but for generations to come!

It's fun serving along AC3 parents and volunteers. I would love to meet over coffee and discuss how you can best partner with us in Kreek Kids, our children's co-op ministry at Allen Creek Community Church. Contact me by email or leave a message at 360-659-7335 ext. 202 and I'll get back to you shortly!

From a Teacher's Point of View

By Guest Blogger: Wayne Clinton

During our Popcorn and Parable Series (November 2015), our Kreek Kids classes studied two stories called parables found in the Book of Luke chapter15. 

During Saturday's teaching time with our K-5th grades,  we had ten hidden cut out sheep in the room that the kids had to find.  They also had four silver coins that they had to find. These activities lined up with the "looking for lost things" in the parable stories; Lost Sheep/Lost Coin. Once they had found them all, we decided to celebrate just like they did in each parable. We made invitations to hand out and invite individuals in our lobby to come up and celebrate with us. During the dinner break, before worship, our chaperoned students went down and invited six middle schoolers to come up and join us at our party. 

We had chocolate milk, sparkling cider, chips, pretzels, gummy worms and chocolate chip cookies along with our main dish, chicken noodle soup. What a celebration! And the music...it was a good gathering!

We learned that the true meaning behind the parables Jesus told were really about people, and not coins and sheep. And that people truly matter to Jesus. The kids, both K-5th and our middle schoolers had a great time! In fact, our guests went down and brought up other middle school guests and then the pre-K kids came and joined in. It was a great night!

So if your looking to help make Kreek Kids a safe place where kids can come, learn, have fun in a variety of creative ways, all while learning the truths in God's word, check out Kreek Kids Saturday nights or Sunday mornings. It's always a joy to see new faces:)

Wayne Clinton 

One of Kreek Kids Saturday Night Teachers

SPECIAL INVITE!  January 16 & 17, 2016: THIS weekend, during our Enter the Worship Circle Series, don't miss Wayne's creativity in action in the auditorium during each service; Saturday 6pm, Sunday 9 and 10:30am!  Directions to AC3 ~Allen Creek Community Church

Want to get connected to Kreek Kids? Contact: Trina (SAT) or Alicia & Twila (SUN)

What We're NOT Looking For...

When someone is involved in a leadership position in ministry, it quite often requires finding others that are willing to join them in achieving the ministry’s mission and vision. It’s not the most popular task on a leader’s To Do List but it certainly is one of the most important. I have never felt comfortable using the term ‘recruiting’ someone to fill a position in children’s ministry. Although it's only a word, I truly would rather ‘invite’ them in, encouraging them to see how God just might use them, even without all the skills they think they may need.

Recruiting has never been an easy task for me and yet Kreek Kids is currently in need of an elementary team teacher which offers a flexible and rotating schedule. One of our key teachers and ministry leaders, Michelle Turner, is moving to Eastern Washington. She will be greatly missed at Allen Creek Community Church and I'll be one of her biggest cheerleaders from afar! So in the mean time, it looks like I am in a position that requires me to extend an ‘invite’ to someone to join us in children's ministry. But instead of listing a few things we may be looking for in this person, I have decided to share a few things that we are NOT looking for:

• We're NOT looking for someone who is ‘perfect’ for the role but for someone who has a willing heart and has a desire to grow.
• We're NOT looking for a ‘professional’ but someone who cares more about what they can learn than what they can teach.
• We're NOT looking for someone who is so 'proud' of their gifts and talents that they could easily fool others into thinking they have their spiritual walk all figured out.

We're looking for a ‘potential’ large group leader or teacher. Someone with a willing heart, who wants to learn and to be part of a team that works together, providing a fun and safe place for elementary children where they can grow in their faith. Is that 'person' you or someone you might know?

With NO 'pressure' applied, I would love to talk to you! (over coffee...if you're a latte fan) You can contact me at twila@ac3.org and 425-319-8043. Feel free to 'share' this note with others who may be looking to get their gifts in the game at AC3.

Join us as we continue our efforts to be the BEST HOUR in every family's week!
Twila & Kreek Kids Leadership Team

Trina Perry - Saturday Night Kids Program
Norma Osotio - Check-In & Safety
Sarah Barci - Nursery/Toddler Dept.
Chandra White - Preschool Dept.

BTW...you can take a 'Test Run' during the month of April on Sunday mornings with no long term commitment. Consider it a one-time serve opportunity! www.ac3.org/kids

Make Your Presence Known in the New Year

As Christmas is behind us and we are heading into a new year, I am reminded that what we do matters when it comes to making an impact on the next generation. Just watch the face of a child light up as they open a Christmas present! You can almost feel the anticipation and excitement that resonates throughout their entire little bodies. If a simple present can influence what a child feels so deeply, just imagine how much more our daily ‘presence’ in their lives and the words that we say, can and do, impact our children.


Children long for unconditional love and our presence. They desire to belong to something bigger than themselves; to live in a healthy community of family, friends and mentors. They need to make real life connections with us as their parents, family members and other caring adults that are brought into their lives. Our presence makes a lasting impression on them and writes on the slate of who they are.


The statistics remain the same. Parents are the #1 influence in their child's life while family members, teachers and caring adults are a close second. No matter what your role, large or small, you are making an impact on the next generation.


As a children’s ministry leader, one of my passions is to help families and children’s ministry volunteers to find ways to share their ‘presence’ together with the next generation. We do this in part at AC3 by running our weekend children’s programs as a co-op. Parents and volunteers are both involved in the staffing of our weekend children’s programs.

Parent & Volunteer KK Co-op Meeting

It is my hope and prayer that in the coming year, our families and children’s ministry volunteers will feel even more connected, loved, encouraged and well equipped to raise up the next generation, and doing so in healthy and biblical community.

If you have ideas or family events you would like to share or see posted at Kreek Kids TEAM Central or at 411.kids to help us grow as a ministry team, please let one of us on the Kreek Kids Leadership team know.

Together, we can make our presence known to the next generation!


Mission 3:16

Twila Crain
Psalms 78:4