God has provided KidVenture with an exceptional leader in Diane. She is the epitome of creativity, and manages to mix things up while keeping a measure of consistent structure from week to week. Her love for the children (and leaders) is evident, and she earns their respect with her authentic, godly character. Her ministry is grounded in prayer, and the Holy Spirit works powerfully through her.

Our multi-talented Pastor Tod, who has been the large group Bible teacher this past year, keeps everyone’s attention by combining solid scriptural teaching with an appropriate, well-timed sense of humor. He relates well to the kids and is often the amusing protagonist in a video or skit pertaining to the story. Ask Pastor Tod about his “Mission Impossible” debut, filmed in the church office, involving a piece of gum! God has gifted him in applying biblical truths to the children’s lives, and he models what he teaches. Pastor Tod’s wife, Cynthia, radiates her love for Christ as she often uses her beautiful voice to lead the group in worship.

All kinds of media are used in KidVenture, including Bibles, CD’s, DVD’s, skits, drama, games, photos and even alphabet letters clipped on a string. God, in all three Persons, is lifted up, and the Bible is the foundation of everything that is said and done. This year’s Through-the-Bible curriculum took us from Creation to Samuel and will move forward during the upcoming school year. Outside of class, there are opportunities for the children to participate in service projects. This past winter, many leaders and children assisted the residents and staff at the DuPage Convalescent Center Christmas parties.

God is at work in KidVenture! “What is KidVenture,” you ask? It is WEBC’s exciting, biblical, educational, challenging, energetic, fun-with-a-purpose Sunday School ministry to children in first through fifth grades. The kids love it (and so do the adults)! While the children wait outside the closed gym doors each Sunday, the leaders inside pray for them, and the kids’ enthusiasm mounts. Once the doors open, they run in with the speed and excitement which only children that age can exhibit. They eagerly take their seats for an action-packed, biblically-rich hour of learning.

What does a typical KidVenture hour look like? The components of the large group time generally include: action-filled singing, prayer, a missions offering, a “Noteworthy Nugget” (when a child tells of a lesson he or she can apply from that morning’s church service sermon), a “Shout It Out Phrase,” a mystery object, a game, a Bible story, and, sometimes, a skit. The small group session follows when teachers use activities and discussion questions to reinforce the Bible lesson and application. The hour’s elements are not isolated events, but carefully planned segments that point to the biblical theme of the day. Evidence that the children truly learn is seen during periodic Jeopardy review sessions when their insights and recall amaze us, as well as the situations when faith, kindness, prayer, and care are exhibited in their lives.

Our faith has been strengthened and our lives enriched by what we’ve experienced as small group leaders this year. Two memorable events especially rise to the surface. One morning, two brothers told of how God opened a door for them to share Christ with some neighborhood friends that week. Their accounts were moving and convicting! Another Sunday, during the large group time, Pastor Tod clearly and powerfully presented God’s plan of salvation in Christ. The Holy Spirit stirred the hearts of two children, a brother and sister who were visitors. Individually, in separate small groups, each of them prayed to receive Christ. There was rejoicing in heaven and on earth that morning!

Yes, God is truly working in KidVenture! Thank you for your prayers on behalf of this vital ministry to WEBC’s future generation of spiritual leaders.