Visiting kids on their turf may be one of the best ways to grow your Children’s Ministry.
Jesus tells us to “GO and make disciples.” So why is it we almost exclusively ask people to COME? Why do we expect the lost to come to us? Why should they, especially when we don’t much of an effort to go to them?
Don’t get me wrong. I’m all for Come. Come is good. We have lots to offer. Lots of cool programs, events, and people ready to love and serve. But Go is better. Go is what Christ commanded. Go is what shows people we really care. Go is what helps people want to come.
So how can we Go as children’s leaders? How can we Go without looking like a creeper? Here are a few suggestions to get us started:
1. Go to a child’s game, recital, or play.
Let me start by saying you don’t have to go to every single activity that every kid in your ministry is involved in. That would be insane. Rather, focus on a few kids who you know and who know you. Ask their parents for what they’re involved in and if it’s OK to go to an event. They will be so jazzed you showed up (kids aren’t used to seeing us outside the church). Take a volunteer with you. Let this mindset spread to your whole team.
2. Visit them in the hospital.
Kids get scared when they’re sick. Especially when they’re sick in the hospital (that goes double for their parents). Visiting them in the hospital shows them and their family you’re not just there for the good times. You’ll be there for the tough stuff too. Bring them a favorite toy or snack. Bring handwritten notes from their friends and leaders. Pray for them and their family. Offer to schedule meals for the family when they get out of the hospital. Being there shows you and your ministry are willing to go the extra mile.
3. Volunteer at a school.
Pick the school that most of your kids go to. Offer to help with an after school-tutoring program. Throw a banquet for the teachers once or twice a year. Ask if you can be a teacher’s aid a few times a week. This one’s a little tougher to do, but worth the effort if you can make the time.
4. Help coach a team.
Kids can learn a lot about life by being a part of a team. Why not help with that journey by being their coach. If you have a parent in your ministry who coaches their child’s team offer to help. It can be as simple as bringing snacks at games and practices. A little can go a long way.
REMEMBER: Ministry doesn’t just happen in an office. It happens where people are.
What are some other strategies for Going?
PS – For more tips on how to connect with kids click here, here, here, and here.
Jeff McClung 
Sometimes, the simplest tips are the most successful, and that’s how I feel about your tip that you discussed in this blog post. As leaders, we need to be proactive in growing our children’s ministry programs, and I believe that the best way to do that is to go out in the community and seek out families. Thanks for a very thought-provoking post.
Thanks Katrina. You just made my day!
We started a local storytime at our park this summer and it has been SO reward to go out in the community and really interact with the people. We caught a little flack for not reading “Christian” books, but I really wanted to make a non threatening activity that the people could participate in. We have has families come back week after week all summer and we’re really getting to know them. We’re praying they come to the church, but even if they don’t come this summer, I still think it was a huge success.
Awesome Lindsey. I love it!