As my junior year of high school began, I found myself in need of a part-time job. I headed to the local Burger King, and the bright “HELP WANTED” sign on the marquee all but guaranteed that I would easily land the job I needed. I filled out my application and answered their questions during a quick interview. Much to my surprise, I learned that they had “gone with another candidate.” How could this happen? Who gets rejected from a part-time job at Burger King? It certainly was a confidence-shaking moment! But as a Christian, I had learned to take my disappointment and confusion to God. After praying and seeking His will, He opened another door. It was an opportunity that instantly linked me with children. Looking back, this was the beginning of God closing some doors and opening others so I could start focusing on children’s ministries. He knew my gifts and He had a good plan for my life.

There seems to be as many paths to children’s ministry leadership as there are children’s ministry leaders! I know that God also knows your gifts and has a good plan for your life. He created you to do His work on this side of eternity. You were not just placed accidentally in 2024 with a random gift, talent or, passion solely for your benefit. God has something greater! Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” He loves you and wants you to experience the gift of seeing His work in others through you. He created you as a unique masterpiece to become part of His God-sized work, ultimately bringing glory to Him and impacting lives for eternity.

As a children’s ministry leader, you probably already know this. In fact, you’ve probably taught these ideas to kids! But living it out is another thing altogether? How do you stay on task doing the “work that He prepared for you in advance” for the long haul? After 30 years in ministry, there are three key things I do to keep going:

1. Create a trusted prayer team that prays for you and your ministry every week. You need this team more than you can imagine. Have them pray for you, for your family, and for the ministry that God has entrusted you with.

2. Be consistent in reading and studying the Word of God. God is more than your boss; He is your Father, and He wants to talk with you. Be still and listen so He can lead you and give you wisdom on how to lead your ministry and persevere through the highs and lows.

3. Stay focused on your end goal - child discipleship. You are not an entertainer or an event planner. You have been put in a position to build teams of leaders who lead kids to Christ and disciple them.

​Never give up and keep striving to disciple kids. You were made for this!

Kris Smoll is the founder and Executive Director of Discovery Land Global. She graduated from Moody Bible Institute and has led child discipleship at Alliance Church in Appleton, Wisconsin for over 30 years. She is an international speaker, strategic planner, and consultant. She is passionate about kids knowing the Word of God, boldly sharing their faith, and confidently living their lives for Christ.