The greatest gift Mrs. Brown gave our rowdy group of teenagers was a place where doubt wasn’t confused with heresy, or honest questions with rebellion. When I’m challenged in my own class now, 30 years later, I sometimes see her face, smiling as she recognized a teachable moment, saying, “Well…let’s talk about that.”
Mikal Keefer is the author of Notes From Jesus: What Your New Best Friend Wants You To Know and Notes From Jesus for Families: What Jesus Wants Your Family to Know.
You give so much!
My grandma shaped me, my faith, and my passion for ministry leaders. She modeled unconditional love and care, and I watched her give, give, give. Her giving was born out of a deep friendship with Jesus. Her daily devotional readings sat tattered on her kitchen table, well-read and devoured.
RELATED: The 5 Love Languages of Volunteers (and How to Use Them!)
Grandma always had something to give anyone who stopped by. She especially reached out to the pastor and his family. I now realize Grandma helped me see people in ministry as real people who need love, support, and belonging—just like everyone else. (She knew that well as a pastor’s spouse.)
Grandma steered me toward ministry, and our connection pointed me to loving Jesus and his people.
Joani Schultz is co-author of Don’t Just Teach…Reach!
If you work or volunteer in children’s ministry, please never doubt that what you’re doing matters. This true story is one of the many inspiring stories Group Publishing hears on a regular basis. Thank you for what you do!
This article on why the children’s ministry leader matters was originally published on ChildrensMinistry.com, © Group Publishing, a division of David C Cook.
