Great ministry doesn’t happen by accident—it requires intentional planning and preparation. Flying by the seat of your pants leads to chaos, and neither kids nor ministry thrive in that environment. A well-thought-out plan not only keeps your ministry running smoothly but also creates room for God to work in extraordinary ways. Let’s explore how to successfully plan ahead and make 2025 a year of growth and impact.

Reviewing the Past

Before moving forward, it’s essential to evaluate the current year. Each September, I meet with my CORE team of kidmin leaders for a Saturday morning planning session. We dedicate about three hours to review, brainstorm, and pray. Our meeting begins with a hot breakfast, a devotional, and a time of prayer, asking God for His guidance and blessing over our discussion.

We start by reflecting on the year’s "Wins & Needs Improvements," which are documented on a large 25x30-inch Post-it note. This review includes our curriculum and events:

• Curriculum Review Questions:

• Is it based on God’s Word?

• Does it bring kids closer to Jesus?

• Does it value relationships?

• Is it relevant and reaching kids where they are?

• Event Review Criteria:

• What went well?

• What didn’t work?

• Attendance and outreach impact.

• Opportunities for improvement.

Documenting everything—even seemingly small details—creates a foundation for moving forward.

Praying for Direction

One week before the meeting, I email my team an agenda, including prayer points for the next year’s theme and verse. For 2025, our focus is faith and prayer. The guiding verse we chose is 1 John 5:14: “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.”

This theme didn’t emerge instantly. It took time, prayer, and discussion to confirm it. Encourage your team to pray over the direction and seek God’s wisdom. When your team is aligned spiritually, planning becomes more fruitful and unified.

Establishing Goals and Training

After reviewing the past and confirming the theme, we move on to planning the year ahead. One of the first items we prioritize is the volunteer training session. This event is critical because it communicates the vision, mission, and goals for the year to all volunteers, ensuring everyone is on the same page.

Volunteer Training Tips:

• Schedule this session early in the year.

• Clearly outline the year’s theme, verse, and goals.

• Foster excitement and unity among your team.

Planning Events

With the theme and training session in place, we turn our attention to penciling in events for the year. Church calendars fill up quickly, so flexibility is key. Some events, like VBS, take priority, while others, such as a family movie night, may need to be adjusted.

Event Planning Steps:

1. Review what worked and didn’t work last year.

2. Consider how each event aligns with the year’s theme.

3. Be prepared to adapt based on the church’s overall calendar.

Dreaming Big

The final Post-it is labeled “2025 Dreams and New Things.” This is where we let our imaginations soar, asking God to show us what’s possible. I always encourage my team to dream big because God can do immeasurably more than we ask or imagine.

For example, one year I wrote “Outdoor Playground” on our list, and by that fall, it became a reality. This year, we’ve written “New building with a gym and green space.” When these dreams are fulfilled, they become powerful testimonies of God’s faithfulness and inspire the next generation to trust Him.

Closing Thoughts

The best way to start the year is by learning from the past, having a clear plan, dreaming big, and trusting God to guide every step. As you plan for 2025, remember: “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans” (Proverbs 16:3). Call on Him for guidance, and watch how He works through your ministry to impact lives for His glory.

Jodie Slongo is the Kids' Director at Stony Creek Church in Utica, Michigan, and has been involved in Kids Ministry since her teenage years. When she's not serving at church, she enjoys spending time with her family. One of their favorite activities is visiting the charming town of Frankenmuth, where they go about once a month. They especially love exploring Bronner's, the world's largest Christmas store, where Jodie is always on the lookout for unique or cool ornaments.