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One of the things that has impacted me is the way the Lord has shown me that nothing's wasted. I see myself in all these girls. The ones who act tough and use humor to pretend that everything is fine. The ones that get in trouble, and need boundaries. The ones that sit alone. The ones that encourage others. The ones who have deep secrets and pain. The ones who exude joy.
I praise Him now for my past. He’s shown me that I can be useful, that there’s a purpose for the pain. He gives me joy! My favorite parts are when God allows me to see how He’s working! When Paige went to summer camp! How her need was met swiftly! Talking to the “tough” girl and being real and asking the hard questions. Praying and asking God to show me the ones who are sitting alone. Asking God to help me when I feel like I’m not making a difference.
I feel closer to God and I know that He IS making a difference in these kids' lives! I would ABSOLUTELY recommend serving to others.
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The impact serving in Youth Ministry has had on my life has grown exponentially the longer I’ve been involved. It has truly transformed both my life and my walk with God. After a long spiritual drought, I feel like I’m genuinely on fire for the Lord again.
One of the biggest lessons God has shown me is that He doesn’t call the qualified—He qualifies the called. That truth has given me the confidence to step out in faith and trust Him to work through me.
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My favorite thing about youth group is small group time, just amazing intentional conversation with other believers, and even when there are non believers it provokes lots of questions and further conversation with them after group hours. It's a great atmosphere and community and just a wonderful place to grow your faith and hang out with friends.
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I have been serving in the children's ministry for about 5 years now. I started in the nursery and now I am in the Special Needs Room. It is something that I honestly never thought I would want to do because being a mom is busy and I didn’t think I had extra to pour into other kiddoes (especially being a special needs mom myself). Boy was I wrong, God had bigger plans for me, all I had to do was listen and now I play a part in helping him grow his kingdom. Serving has been something that has filled my cup while also getting to help others fill theirs. I know exactly what it's like to not trust others with my kids, especially my non verbal autistic kid. This has made me able to connect on a whole different level to other families who feel the same way. I know what it's like to sit in the sanctuary and worry about my kiddo and not hear a word preached that day... and now I get to help others go and experience attending and being a part of church and the sermons and them really being present in those moments because their special kiddos are safe and being loved and cared for by myself and our team in the special needs room and that is the biggest reward of all.
I love all the kids in our special needs ministry room and the connections and community I have gained by being in there is so rewarding and fulfilling that I am truly thankful to God for the opportunity to serve his special kids and their families and I wouldn't want to be anywhere else on Sunday mornings.
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I serve in the preschool ministry and can't begin to explain how it has grown my heart! I started serving because I have 4 kids and felt the need to give back, it didn't take long for the Lord to show me I belonged here. I began serving within 1 month of attending. My oldest daughter began serving beside me and watching our relationship with each other and the Lord blossom through this experience has been such a blessing. I love being able to see what my kids are learning while also leading other tiny hearts to Jesus. Preschool ministry has my heart even longer after my kids have graduated from it.
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Since I began serving at the Eagles Nest, I’ve been introduced to a world of disabilities. Our daughter has a disability, which ignited my passion to serve other children like her. In the two years I’ve volunteered in that room, I’ve developed unique connections with many children that others can’t. My spiritual growth has flourished as a volunteer at the Eagles Nest because I feel a divine calling to connect with these children in a way that only certain individuals can. This experience has instilled in me a newfound sense of compassion and advocacy for children who may not always be able to stand up for themselves. I knew God had a purpose for me as a special needs parent, but I had no idea that He would use me to impact the lives of other families through our daughter’s journey.
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Hey church, my name is Chris. I serve in kids ministry and middle school ministry. I just wanna give a shout out to all your parents out there. Y'all have some amazing children. Great job! I am so thankful God called me to the kids ministry. Being a part of this ministry has broken generational curses that I thought were gonna be nearly impossible to break. But with God, all things are possible.
If you’re looking for a place to serve, I challenge you to give kids ministry a try and I know what you’re thinking. Me no way I can’t serve with kids not with my past.
I thought the same thing: I'm not qualified, but God does his best work with people that are unqualified. I’m just so grateful to be part of a church that is investing in the youth like Real Life.