I look forward to every Saturday — even though Saturday is not a day off for me. Our missions ministry mobilizes the people of Kingsland to get involved in local service initiatives almost every Saturday of the year. Over the past four years more than 8,500 volunteers from our church have rolled up their sleeves and gotten their hands dirty by serving others on Saturdays. Today was no exception. Jon Davis, our Missions Ministry Associate, and I had the joy of serving with the New Ground and Outfitters Adult Bible Fellowship groups. Almost fifty parents and kids met at the Katy Christian Ministry campus ready to work. One of the most enjoyable things about our Saturday initiatives is getting to spend time with parents and their kids.
Today, some of our men built a beautiful pergola in the center of the garden we planted at Katy Christian Ministries earlier this year. This pergola will serve as a place where the staff and guests of Katy Christian Ministries can pray, meditate, or just enjoy a Texas sunset. Dads and sons worked together to hoist lumber, weed vegetable beds, complete work on some of the raised planting beds, and more. I love the sounds of power tools and laughter and good conversation. These sounds remind me that we do more than build things on Saturday, we also build people. And, when we work our muscles, God is always faithful to work in our hearts.
Our missions ministry is also committed to assisting area food pantries. Jon purchased several hundred pounds of beans and rice. A group of parents and kids repackaged these items in small zip lock bags. The Katy Christian Ministries Food Pantry will distribute these and other food items to families in need throughout the coming week. One of our youngest participants was Claire, the two and a half year old daughter of Michael and Aimee Evans. With a plastic cup in her hand, she had an enjoyable time filling zip lock bags with rice. I asked Michael a few questions about serving with his daughter.
Omar | Michael, you and Aimee have participated in our weekend initiatives since the days before you were parents. How old are your children and why is it important to you to model service for your kids?
Michael | Aimee and I want our 2 1/2 year old Claire and 9 month old Sarah to always see service as a part of every day life. It is one of the ways we are working to equip the generations in our home.
Omar | There are all kinds of fun things for parents to do with their kids on the weekend. It was obvious to me that you and your daughter had fun serving together today. What did you tell Claire about the contribution she made today?
Michael | Claire is young, but she understands what helping means. I explained that she was helping give people without food something to eat. Whether the full impact of the lesson is understood, she is both hearing and seeing God work through people for people.
Omar | What do you hope to see happen in your kids lives in the years to come as you continue to make memories of serving together?
Michael | We intend to make service a natural part of our entire family’s life. I pray that our girls’ hearts will be softened to the needs of others. I hope they look back on their lives and focus not on the presents we gave them, but on the memories we make, especially the ones that show them our faith through action.
Omar | What advice or encouragement would you give to other parents about the value of modeling servanthood and involving their kids in service initiatives?
Michael | We are certainly more efficient serving when kids aren’t underfoot. However you miss a great opportunity to teach them through example if you don’t bring them along. As all parents know, kids learn more from what they see than from what they hear. Don’t underestimate your kids. They may not be experts, but they can learn how to help in small ways. Don’t forget, each of us is asked to give what we can. Even if it is just a two-year old pouring rice into a plastic bag, God is glorified.
I appreciate Michael and Aimee and all of the parents and kids who served today. At the conclusion of today’s projects, four year-old Mason Hereford looked up at his father, Carlton, and said, “This was fun, Daddy. When are we going to help somebody else?” Wow! That’s a great word from a four year-old. The concept of serving others is already a part of Mason’s vocabulary and thinking. That’s no accident. When parents lead their kids to serve others, good things happen in a child’s heart and mind. They begin to understand that life is not just about them, but about others. Hopefully, as they continue to serve others, they will grow up a little less selfish, a little more compassionate and considerate of others, and feeling less like the world owes them everything they want. I like Mason’s question. Let’s raise our kids to heed the words of Paul to the Philippian Church, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others” (Phil. 2:3-4).
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