Have you ever found yourself scrolling through KidMin blogs, Facebook groups, or ministry websites and suddenly felt like everyone else is doing something bigger, better, or more creative than you?

I absolutely love all of the contributors and ideas on this blog, on the Facebook page, and on the website. But if I’m being honest, sometimes it can get pretty overwhelming.

I get excited seeing new ideas. I see one church doing a big event, another leader talking about a new trend in children’s ministry, or someone sharing the next “must-do” strategy for KidMin. Before I know it, I’m swimming in a sea of ideas.

Even after all these years in ministry, it’s easy to get lost in that sea and lose sight of something important: who I am and who God has called me to be in my ministry.

Don’t get me wrong—these ideas and contributors are amazing. I’m one of them writing to you right now! Learning from each other is one of the best parts of being in the KidMin community.

But sometimes, if we’re not careful, we can become so focused on what everyone else is doing that we forget the incredible gifts and calling God has already placed in us.

Scripture reminds us:
“Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly.”
— Romans 12:6 (NASB)

God didn’t design children’s ministry leaders to all look the same. He intentionally gave each of us different gifts, talents, personalities, and passions.

And they are vastly different.
And they are vastly amazing.

So let me encourage you to pause for a moment and ask yourself a few simple questions:

Who are you in God’s eyes?
What are the gifts God has given you?
Who are the kids God has placed in your ministry?
How can you serve them best with the gifts God has already placed in your hands?

I don’t believe for a moment that God calls someone into ministry and then says, “Alright… good luck!” He calls you with intention. He places you in a specific church, with a specific group of kids, with the exact gifts and abilities needed for that moment.

That matters.

Now, that doesn’t mean we stop learning. We absolutely should keep growing, stretching, and educating ourselves. Conferences, blogs, books, and conversations with other leaders are incredibly valuable.

But growth should strengthen who God made you to be, not replace it.

I’ll admit, I’m guilty of this too. My eyes wander sometimes. I see another ministry doing something incredible and think, “Why can’t we do that?” or “Why aren’t we doing that?”

But then I pause and remember something important: Who I’m serving and where our church body is right now.

That’s where my focus belongs.

My calling is to pour into the generation of kids God has placed in front of me, sharing the gospel of Christ using the gifts and talents God has given me.

And the same is true for you.

Outside of the amazing calling of being a KidMin leader, God may have given you gifts like wisdom, leadership, discernment, faith, encouragement, teaching, creativity, worship, music, exceptional patience, kindness, organization, communication, hospitality, or a deep heart for special needs families.

Those gifts are not accidental.

They are part of how God designed you to serve His kingdom.

So don’t lose them.
Don’t dismiss them.
Don’t push them aside because someone else is doing ministry differently. Instead, develop them. Hone them. Ask God to grow them.

Look for ways to use those gifts to support your church, your community, and the kids God has entrusted to you.

Because God didn’t create a copy of someone else.

The gifts God placed in you are meant to help the next generation know Him.

And when you faithfully use those gifts, you bring glory and honor to Him in a way that only you can.

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.