Hello, August! Can you believe it’s the end of summer already? The calendar year might be winding down, but in ministry, this is where the excitement really begins! It’s that time of year when everything feels new—schools are opening their doors, and kids are diving into fresh adventures. First day of kindergarten? Check! First day of high school? Double check! College-bound? Triple check! And just like that, our Kids Ministries are gearing up for a brand-new season, even as the calendar year winds down.

Remember when Fall Kick-Off was in September? Well, not anymore! We’re diving into our August start with mid-week ministries, Sunday mornings packed with fun, volunteer training sessions, and a slew of new ministry initiatives. All summer long, we’ve been prepping for this—brainstorming, planning, and dreaming up big ideas. And now, it’s go time! But how do we keep our cool in the midst of all this awesomeness?

Pray, Pray, Pray! Have you been so wrapped up in planning that you’ve forgotten to pause and pray? Let’s keep 1 Thessalonians 5:16 close to our hearts: “Pray without ceasing.” We’ve got to ask God to bless all that we’re doing and keep us moving forward on His path. We need to ask Him over and over again.

Stay Laser-Focused! Where’s your focus these days? It’s so easy to get sidetracked by busyness, stress, pride, exhaustion, and distractions. But remember Colossians 3:23: “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.” Stick this verse somewhere you’ll see it daily, and let it remind you of who you’re really serving.

Embrace Realistic Expectations! Let’s be real: neither you nor your ministry has to be perfect. And guess what? That’s okay! We’ve all had grand ideas that didn’t pan out, and we’ve all set expectations that were a bit too high. But as we kick off this school year with our ministries, remember that God hasn’t called you to be the perfect Kids Ministry leader—He’s called you to be His child and to glorify Him, imperfections and all. When others expect perfection, gently remind them that there’s only One who’s perfect, and He’s the One we serve and love.

As we at Bethel Kids launch into our “fall” ministries, I’m thinking of all of you who might be feeling the pressure of making everything happen. We all have our unique challenges, but isn’t it beautiful that we serve the same amazing God? As you’re rushing around, juggling a million tasks, remember: He sees you, He hears you, He loves you, and He’s right there with you. He promises to guide you—all you need to do is follow. Just like that old song we all know:

My Lord knows the way through the wilderness,
All I have to do is follow.
My Lord knows the way through the wilderness,
All I have to do is follow.
Strength for today is mine all the way,
And all that I need for tomorrow.
My Lord knows the way through the wilderness,
All I have to do is follow!

In the wilderness of Kids Ministry... He knows. Just keep following!

Melissa Anderson has had the joy of serving as the Director of Kids Ministries at Bethel Church in Crown Point for 20 years. She is passionate about ministry leadership, shepherding parents, and loving kids. Melissa has been blessed to be married to her husband, Jeff, for 42 years. Together, they have raised three wonderful children, who are now married and have given them eight adorable grandchildren. Her family and ministry are the heart of her life, and she is grateful for the opportunity to pour into both every day.