Compassion, Action and Boldness; Even When It's Scary

Over the last several months, I have had the privilege of being part of and watching bold compassion in action around AC3 and I have been changed.

• When you see a body of believers embrace a 'No One Fights Alone' attitude and actively join a family's battle against cancer, you are reminded that life on this earth is short. I will live life fully with eternity in mind.
• When you witness Seeds of Grace volunteers choosing to walk beside those on the fringe of society and offering them real friendship, you are reminded that 'things' are 'just things'. I will live life on purpose and in relationship with those that God brings into my life.
• When you watch a group of bikers provide an atmosphere of recovery and recreation for those fighting drug addictions with opportunities to 'give back' to their community, you experience hope (SOG was the recipient of their food and toy drives this holiday season). I will live life with hope, knowing that everyone can 'be changed' and 'make change' in the lives of others.
• When you watch a group of preschoolers participate in compassion by creating homeless bags to give someone in need or on a street corner this holiday season, it becomes clear that everyone is called to serve. I will live life serving others, doing my best to be the hands and feet of Jesus.

This blog post was inspired by a recent yet very simple Facebook post by my daughter-in-law Amanda below. It reflects a simple compassion story of handing out their SOG homeless bag to someone with my first grandson Jonah, five years old.

"Finally got to give our Seeds of Grace bag that Jonah put together in preschool to someone in need. Jonah was scared at first but I took the opportunity to explain to him that helping people is not always easy. It's easier to just keep walking. We gave the man our bag of goodies, said Merry Christmas and it was done. Then Jonah started asking questions on the ride home about where that man slept, etc.

Another opportunity to talk about how Jesus calls us to help others and about being grateful. Then it turned to talking about the best, final home we have to look forward to (heaven) and what we are called to do here on earth until we are called home. Love God, Love each other and Love the lost. 

Amazing moment with Jonah... I could see the wheels turning in his head. I pray he has a heart of compassion that leads to action and boldness to do God's will even when it's scary." - A :)

 A few Facebook comments: 

"Ever since the day they made them and we gave it away the same day, we've been finding more and more opportunities to help people out, even if it's just a bottle of water! I LOVE what God is doing in MY heart by giving me a kid to raise I'm so excited for you to have had such a deep conversation!! SUPER cool!"

"Way to go!! Proud of you guys. Love that you told him "it's not always easy."

"♡♡♡♡♡"

"Great teaching moment!"  

"I love witnessing God doing work!"

"Beautiful! Thanx for SHARING with us the opportunity you took to be Jesus to someone...and to teach Jonah what that looks like! Merry Christmas!" 

As we head into the new year, let us not forget that compassion is not always easy but it is to be a very real part of every Christ followers lives. Let's live out compassion with action and boldness with fresh awareness, even when it's scary!

Twila

Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13.

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