Kidz Village

Simple messages for Simple people...

2008-09-12T02:00:00Z

1Timothy 6:20 “O Timothy, Guard what was committed to your trust, avoid the profane and idle babblings and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge”

My husband’s Grandmother regularly sends us cards with hand written letters in them (yes you can still do that, with a stamp and everything!) They are very precious to me as she shares with us thoughts from her heart along with the more routine tasks and information. I read them slowly and don’t tend to skip over parts… I actually read them a couple of times then put them in a box I keep in the closet. I’m sure this would have been the same for Timothy as he received letters from Paul. Timothy was like a son to Paul and Paul truly invested himself into his life. Timothy had a bunch to learn and Paul had a lot to teach. I’m so thankful for these letters hidden away in a closet and now in our Bible as God uses their relationship to teach us about following Christ and being part of a Church body.

I love this verse and the reflection of the personal relationship between Timothy and Paul as Paul writes ‘O Timothy’ and in his final appeal he urges him to Guard what was committed to his trust… Guard the faith, the true gospel message, guard what was originally given to the apostles so many years ago. Just as Paul reminds Timothy to be faithful in guarding the truth and it’s simplicity as he loyally proclaims it, Paul is equally reminding us of the same thought.

Church can sometimes make very simple things seem very complicated. Commentaries, books, all sorts of things whose good purpose is to more fully explain things, sometimes make what God deemed simple into something complicated. The Gospel message was given to simple people, in a simple way that even a child could understand, could believe and place their faith in. It often takes time to get back to the simplicity of the message of God and his ultimate commandment to us but it’s certainly worth the journey…

Be blessed this week…

Noah in 2007?

2008-09-12T01:58:00Z

Thought for the week

I just saw the movie ‘Evan Almighty’. I know it’s been out for a while, but I’m a little behind in movie watching. I was a bit concerned as the movie is based on the premise that God physically appears to some one, Evan Baxter a successful news anchor turned politician and asks him to build an ark, but found it to be both funny and actually spiritually moving.

As the family begins their new life, new town, new jobs, new house, they ask their Mom as she is tucking them into bed if they can pray… the boys pray for a stray dog they saw, and other personal items, and the mom prays that they would be a stronger family. Through a number of persuasive moves by God in regards to the Ark building, Evan obeys and he along with his 3 sons begin this mammoth project. The family is put through their paces as Evan begins daily to look more and more like Noah. As the Ark gets larger in Size (the movie studio actually made one according to the spec’s in the bible, over 450 feet approx.) the media and neighbours get more involved in ribbing the congressman Noah about what he was doing.

Through much pain and struggle the Mom leaves with the 3 boys to give Evan some time as she is humiliated and confused about this change in his life focus and appearance. In a local diner she and the boys stop for a meal and God dressed up like a waiter takes her order. In the conversation ‘god’ says some very powerful words to her as she breaks down and tells this stranger that the ‘newyork noah’ is her husband… He talks about the great story of Noah, how its not really about the boat but about the obedience, about sticking together… he says that if someone asks for patience, do you think that God just zaps them with patience, or gives them the opportunity to be patient, if someone asks for courage does God just zap them with courageousness, or gives them the opportunity to be courageous… if someone asks God for a stronger family… do you think he gives it to them, or gives them the opportunity to become stronger.

As we continue to pray for our ministry, as we come up against big struggles, remember that through it all God is not absent… His greatest desire it to teach us, to make him more like himself. So when that parent or volunteer comes to you again and you are ready to blow your top, remember your prayer for patience, your prayer to change the world and take a moments to thank God for the opportunity…

Be blessed today as you serve Him in all you do and in all the circumstances & trials you are facing…

Is our battle really the WALLS?

2008-09-12T01:55:00Z

Verse for the Week

Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord you God is with you wherever you go.”

Thought for the Week

Joshua 6 – When our biggest Battle isn’t the walls of JERICO, but the TRUST in the promises of GOD.

I use this story as an illustration in some workshops, it’s really a pity we all know it so well, as the truth it holds for us as adults often gets breezed over due to its familiarity. What appears to be the easiest physical battle in history to win becomes the hardest to win mentally… it all comes down to trust.

In Joshua’s first venture he is forced to totally put his trust in God as the ‘battle plan’ is given and it looks anything like a typical battle. His Soldiers are equally called to put their trust in the newly crowned leader. It’s a situation that gets played out regularly in our lives as we come up against difficult situations. When God comes and offers a promise and hope into a hopeless situation His promise always looks small against the visible reality of what we’re up against. Our biggest battle isn’t the WALLS of Jericho. Our biggest battle is to learn to trust implicitly in God’s promise, even when His promise seems smaller than our circumstances. I mean can you imagine what Joshua was ‘saying’ to God as these instructions came… can you picture Joshua relaying these instructions with their promise to the armed and awaiting soldiers. Can you picture the after march comments in the soldiers tent… “Why would we go around and do the same thing tomorrow, it obviously didn’t work today?”

So what do we do when it doesn’t look like God is doing anything? What do you do when His promises and plans seem more like the dirt under your feet than the miracle you’ve been trusting him for? That’s the issue of those first six days of marching. There were more days when it looked like God’s plan wasn’t working than days when it worked. Both of these seasons in Joshua’s life and the life of the soldiers were divine, fruitful and served the plans of God. These ‘marching days’ are equally fruitful in our lives as we learn to trust in the promises of God despite our circumstance.

Be blessed this week as you continue to march on…

What’s Going on…

I had an exceptional time at LIFT in Owensound this past weekend. We had a great group of men and women together from a number of different area churches all with the common vision and goal in mind… how to most effectively reach kids in our community for Christ and develop a thirst for the things of God for those children within our church walls.

It has been an exciting and unique time over the last couple of weekends as many of those attending have not been from our fellowship (PAOC). What a great reminder to all of us that there is much more common ground than issues that separate and how we need to be coming together more and more with the other evangelical churches in our communities for support and fellowship in the area of children’s ministry.

We are continuing the GREAT ROAD TRIP and are off to Essex this week. Please continue to register with the host churches for the workshops and lunch options. Dale (in Essex) would appreciate having all the registration numbers by tomorrow (especially those wanting the catered lunch option)… Thanks in advance.

Information from the field…

I came across a couple of articles on ‘budgeting’ on www.childrensministry.com site and thought I would pass them along as I know some of you are neck deep in budgeting for 2008… I did

job or ministry?

2008-09-12T01:52:00Z

Thought for the week…

With our children’s programs in full swing the business of the ‘week at work’ can understandably wear us down. I have to catch my self sometime thinking of my ‘job’ as a ‘job’ and remember that it’s so much more… I’ve had ‘jobs’ where there have been daunting lists of things to do, where I managed some people, and others were over me… sounds a lot like all of our jobs today doesn’t it? Where our Sr. Pastors are our managers, our Volunteers are those who we manage and our list of things to do could take up an entire note book if we had a second to actually write it down…

But there is something drastically different about my previous ‘secular’ job and the one I do now… eternity is at stake, and I do it ultimately not for a paycheck but for God. I came across this poem in children’s ministry’s Tuesday tip a while back and thought I would forward it. It’s a good habit to check ourselves, our motives, and assist our volunteers to do the same, constantly reminding ourselves that working with kids is not a job… but a ministry…

What’s the difference?

If you do it just because no one else will...it’s a job!
If you do it to serve God...it’s a ministry!

If you quit because someone criticized you...it’s a job!
If you kept on serving in spite of criticism...it’s a ministry!

If you’ll do it only so long as it doesn’t interfere with other things...it’s a job!
If you’re committed to staying with it, even when it means letting other things go...it’s a ministry!

If you quit because no one ever praised or thanked you...it’s a job!
If you stay even though no one notices your efforts...it’s a ministry!

If you do it because someone else said it needs to be done...it’s a job!
If you do it because you sensed God saying it needs to be done...it’s a ministry!

It’s hard to get excited about a job.
It’s almost impossible not to get excited about a ministry!

An average church is filled with people doing jobs!
A great and growing church is filled with people involved in ministry!

What do you do when you don't know what to do...

2007-09-20T13:54:00Z

Verse for the week: 2^nd Timothy 4:7 “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

I was listening this week to a talk by Bill Wilson, from the Metro Assemblies of God in Brooklyn. Amazing testimony by the way… he shared a story from 2^nd Kings chapter 7 that I really felt to pass on to you this week… He was abandoned as a child taken in by the local pastor and his wife, he never felt the ‘call of God’ to minister to the children in Brooklyn, the kid like him that nobody wanted, he just saw a need and worked incredibly hard to make a difference. His thought was to set up a Saturday morning Sunday school and his first week saw 1500 kids outside the door of a very small Spanish church they had rented for the day… recipe for disaster 1500 inner-city kids, church that could only cram in 200 and 3 adults… Through the many struggles that he encountered this story in 2^nd kings kept him, and continues to keep him going as now the ministry reaches 10’s of thousands of children through Sunday school bus ministry that runs every night and all day Saturday.

The story begins as the Syrians had surrounded the city of Samaria, cutting off it’s food and water supply (a common war tactic) just waiting for the people to be so week from famine capture would be easy. There are 4 leprous men however outside of the city who have an interesting conversation, one that I think many of us have had in times of tough ministry or personal issues…

(3) now there were four leprous men at the entrance of the gate; and they said to one another, Why are we sitting here until we die? If we say, We will enter the city, the famine is in the city and we shall die there. And if we sit here we die also. Now therefore, come, let us get us and surrender to the army of the Syrians. If they keep us alive, we shall like’ and if they kill us, we shall only die.”

Odd kind of conversation… but one that isn’t so foreign to ministry… Those men were caught between a rock and a hard place with every move ending in potential death, no options looked all that pleasing to them however they did something that we all need to do when we are stuck in a tough situation… if they went back they would die, if they sat still they would die… what do you do, when you don’t know what to do… go forward. God doesn’t always revel the amazing plan that he has for you and your ministry, just as they leprous men didn’t realize the great miracle that was going to happen (read on it’s great!) but what do you need to do when you don’t know what to do… go forward cause there is great potential in that, you can’t go back, you can’t sit still… we have to move forward.

What’s Going on…

Begin the year right for all your volunteers in kids Ministry.

Plan to attend one of these great training days with your volunteer group. They will leave with new friends, a greater vision for ministry and a chest full of practical ideas for Sunday morning. The cost is $15 per person (optional lunch additional in some locations). Please register your group number as soon as possible to assist our host churches in planning.

I have attached a few typical conference schedules, where some workshops may vary from location to location these are the most typical layouts.

LIFT Volunteer Conference Dates & Locations

September 22^nd

Bethany Pentecostal Chapel, Manitouwadge

Contact: Gary Burt bpchap@shaw.ca

October 13^th

Calvary Pentecostal Temple, North Bay

Contact: Holly Harling office@calvarytemplenb.org

Or Shirley A Daly shirlnlesdaly@cogeco.ca

October 20^th

Timmins Pentecostal Church, Timmins

Contact: Joanna Gloade timpent@ntl.sympatico.ca

October 27^th

Central Pentecostal Church, Elora-Fergus

Contact: Pam Whan events@cpchurch.ca

November 3^rd

Rockcliffe Gospel Temple, Owensound

Contact: Colleen Seaman cseaman@bmts.com

November 10^th

Essex Gospel Tabernacle, Essex

Contact: Dale Ruttan egtkids@bellnet.ca

November 17^th

Hi-Way Pentecostal Church, Ingersoll

Contact: Brad Sumner ypastorbrad@yahoo.ca

November 24^th

Central Gospel Temple, St. Catharines

Contact: Pamela Sykes pamsykes@centralgospel.ca

December 1^st

TBA – GTA

Story from the field

“Bobby, a foster child living with a church family, had been abused and never spoke. One Sunday the lesson was on Jesus’ love. His teacher, Kevin, Taped a picture of Jesus on a mirror and had each child come up to the mirror to see himself with Jesus. It was Bobby’s turn and when another child tried to push him away, bobby spoke for the first time. “No it’s my turn now. I want to see me with Jesus. Jesus loves me.”

“How do you think David was feeling as he faced the giant Goliath?” Nancy asked her class. With complete confidence, a youngster answered, “How scared could he be? He probably saw the video and knew he would win.” The rest of the class agreed.

Experiencing God once is worth 100 Sunday lessons...

2007-09-20T13:47:00Z

Verse for the week

Exodus 17 8-16

vs. 10 So Joshua did as Moses said to him, and fought with Amalek. And Moses, Aaron, and Hur went us to the top of the hill. (11) and so it was, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed, and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed

Thought for the week

On Sunday our Pastor spoke on Joshua and his preparation for leading the people of Israel. Listening to the sermon I couldn’t help but relate that to the preparation of the future leaders in our children’s ministry programs each and every week.

Moses had given the order (vs 8) for Joshua to select some men to go to battle. God had Joshua exactly where he wanted him, down and dirty on the front lines of the battle field where I’m sure Mel Gibsons movies don’t do the gruesome battle scenes justice. Joshua was part of God little ‘hands on training program’ as he visually saw his comrades dying around him when Moses’ intercessory hands became tired… then as quickly as they seemed to be on the loosing end they were winning. Looking up he saw Moses’ hands raised toward almighty God in prayer… loosing… winning… loosing… winning… I’m sure at times he just wanted to scream up “Aaron, this would be easier if you would just keep his hands up!”

Why the production, it could of worked if they had all gathered before the battle in a prayer circle… couldn’t it? Sure… but God didn’t want to just tell Joshua that power comes from prayer, He wanted to show him that. Joshua was seeing that all the chariots, swords, armor or catapults… none of their equipment could win the battle… nothing else was working without the prayers of Moses.

As Pastors of Children (and yes we are all pastors, from the snack volunteers to the teachers… we all pastor children) let us never rely on our swords, our chariots or the tricks of the trade that we can seemly pull from thin air. Let us never rely on our own strength to win the battle for I fear all we will see around us is fallen soldiers. Remember that the only way to win the battle is through prayer. Prayer that is diligent & sacrificial. Prayer to an awesome God who can do 1000 times more with our 20 minutes than we could ever do. Book in some time this week and get close again to a God who wants to win the battle… using you!

Update on Lisa Bramley’s Condition (Children’s Pastor in Kitchener & Previous District Children’s Pastor)

Lisa has been able to enjoy more than a week at home but it is now time for a change. With her family's help and God's provision she has made the decision to be moved today to the Lisaard House in Cambridge. It is an amazing hospice facility! The care that will be provided for her and her family will be amazing.

I know that Lisa has enjoyed her time at home and the many visitors that she has been able to see and speak with. She knows she is blessed to have had the presence of mind to embrace these past days. Since this past Sunday Lisa's doctors and nurses have made some changes to her medicines and overall treatment and it is taking some adjustment on Lisa's part. The decision she has made is that she will not be having visitors outside of her immediate family for the time being.

The move to Lisaard will be stressful for Lisa and her family for a couple of days until she is more settled. They will re-evaluate Lisa's ability to receive visitors/phone calls at that time. I have been in close contact with her family in the last day and I know they truly appreciate the prayers, support, encouragement and respect that has been and will continue to be offered!

We continue to pray for God's healing because we know that He is able!!!

What’s going on…

Meet me on the Phone – This was a great success. My thanks to the few who joined me last Friday morning on the phone in prayer for our little army of God’s workers. God is using children in mighty ways on their school grounds, continue to pray power into their lives as they put all they’ve learned into action between the hours of 8 and 4!

Contact List Update – Thanks for all the emails back, and the updates to our children’s ministry distribution list. We are almost rounding the 500 mark with the number of pastors, children’s pastors & volunteers that receive these weekly updates. Thanks for helping us build the WOD Children’s Ministry family. We can’t do it without your support!

Volunteer LIFT Conferences – We are gearing up for a great fall of fellowship and training as we come together around the district with our volunteers to learn more about the ministry God has called us to. I have attached the General LIFT Poster in this email with locations and dates for you to reserve on your calendar as well have attached the full conference schedule for our first stop in Manitouwadge. Due to travel distance etc. this conference will not offer workshop choices, however we have attempted to cover all areas of concern for the volunteers in this set of workshops.

Full conference schedules for remaining stops along the ‘tour’ will be out next week as we continue to finalizing lunch and workshop details with speakers.

District Conference 2007 – With such an awesome guest speaker as Rosavelt Hunter and the cost only $35, you really can’t miss it. Plan to hook up with me at the children’s ministry booth or during one of the ministry break-out sessions. It’s going to be a great FAMILY time together. For conference information and to register check out the info on our site www.wod.paoc.org

Time Out January 08 – Wanna get away, get energized for the new year… join us at the Falls for a great weekend of fun, leadership training, and fellowship with fellow children’s, youth, and young adult pastors… Check out the details and advertisement in the package currently making its way to your church from our office (snail mail).

Homegrown Pastor?

A new pastor in town is homegrown, raised in the church he now pastors. His childhood Sunday school teacher told how strange it was to sit under his ministry and remember what he was like as a little boy, and how special she felt because God used her to help train a pastor. “I feel,” she said, “like the Chinese teacher who started every class by bowing to his students. When he was questioned about this ritual, he said, ‘I bow because I never know who the children I am teaching will be in the future. I want them to know how grateful I am to play a humble part in who they will become.’

Have a great week serving Him as you serve them…`

Children’s Ministry Director

Western Ontario District

PAOC

pmcarthur@wodistrict.org

(905) 476-0053 Home Office

‘Don’t make the same mistake twice, make a different on every time’ jim wideman

Constantly in pursuit of lost souls

2007-08-22T00:09:00Z

Verse for the Week

Psalm 37 23-24

(23) The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, And He delights in his way. (24) though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down’ For the Lord upholds him with His hand.

Thought for the Week

A chill is in the air, the days are getting shorter, there are more pencil crayons on my table then shells, the boat is still in service but the dry suits are definitely out and our running shoes have replaced all the cute sandals. Where did the lazy days of summer go?

Fall is definitely here and as leaves signal the change in season, they also promote many (including me) to review their year and make adjustment for the future. Our year at kidZvillage has been full of excitement, connecting with new and old friends as we learn from one another and begin to feel more like a family of children’s pastors in the WOD. There have been big changes in the lives of some as babies have been born, some have gotten married or become grandparents, and others have experienced the sting of death. Through it all God has remained faithful and true. He has remained the one true God that never changes, that is always the same, yesterday, today and forever. My world, like yours is constantly in flux, as the reality of my potentially tragic accident sets in, the recognition that our days are numbered, as my family and work give me both joys and challenges I cling to the knowledge that no matter what changes for me in my life that God, His love, His care, His provision will always remain the same.

We sing a song at our church that always stirs my heart as I reminisce on all the ways that God has been faithful to me in my life… Faithful one, so amazing. Ageless one, you’re my rock of peace, Lord of all I depend on you… You are my rock, in times of trouble. You lift me up, when I fall down. All through the storm, your love is, the answer… my hope is in you alone.

My prayer is that we all rely on the faithfulness of Almighty God through all our up’s and down’s this year. That His plan and purpose, His vision would shine through all our ministry… that all we do and each road we travel would give glory and honor to him. I’m really excited about all that is planned for the coming months ahead. I’m looking so forward to getting into your section in the fall and meeting with you at our volunteer conferences, or at Time Out (our youth and children’s pastors get away) in the winter, or Blown Away in the spring…

It’s going to be a great year of sharing and experiencing God’s faithfulness to us and our ministry as we constantly pursue, harvest and nurture lost souls for Him.

Resource Idea for the Week

Okay I’m not really big on gimmick things that companies have however I’m not sure if you have checked out the group ‘jabber ball’ not the mat… it’s a ball. I used it with HUGE success for our VBS (jr. high) then at all the camps, as well I lent one too a lady at the church who runs a back yard VBS is a variety of ages. She said she only intended on using it for the first day but the kids loved it so much they were asking for it every day. It’s full of questions, some silly, some serious, and some for ‘get to know you’ purposes… Check it out, or make your own maybe to review a specific theme or story that you have been covering. I did for camp by getting a list of questions off the internet, or making up my own and using sharpie markers on a regular beach ball. (When storing it remember to put napkins or tissue around it or it will stick together). You can certainly use it for any age that can read, and I found that it works best in groups from 3 or 4 to a max of 15 kids in each circle.

Media Tidbit

After more than 20 years of TV episodes, The Simpsons creator Matt Groening finally decided the time was right to put Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, Maggie and the rest of the town of Springfield onto the big screen via The Simpsons Movie. The result? A movie that parents will probably take kids to and be quite shocked at just how far the writers were willing to push the envelope. To read the entire review head on line to www.kidology.org (It’s on the main page, just scroll down)

What’s Going on…

Check out the new edition of kidZvillage newZ on your desks the first week of September. It’s full of great articles from children’s pastors in our district and information on upcoming events & resources…

Meet me on the PHONE - Dial in on Friday September 7^th from 9 – 10am and connect with other children’s, youth, and sr. pastors, as we unite in prayer for our children beginning a new year of school. Connect from anywhere, just dial 1-800-808-0861 password 898153 and join in, dedicate the whole hour or just a few minutes, feel free to dial in and excuse yourself when you need to. I’ll be beginning each 15 minute segment with an opening prayer then leaving the line open for all to join in and hold up our children to the Lord.

LIFT Volunteer Conferences – I’m so excited to meet each of you as I travel to the various sections of the district. I have attached the pdf of dates and locations, plan to attend one of them with your volunteers. A registration form and detailed information of each date/location will be out next week. Workshop choices will be made available for you and your volunteers to choose on the date of the event. Plan to protect training will be included as an open session to assist you in this church insurance requirement.

You are always in my prayers…

Pam

Updates on Lisa Bramley

2007-08-19T01:07:00Z

I wanted to give you a report on how Lisa is doing. She made it home on Wednesday and her family and home care workers have made sure her apartment is properly equipped to help her recover. She is managing to get up on her own and although she doesn't feel that she is doing very well, considering how major her surgery was, she is doing amazing!!

It was a very busy first few days at home and she is hoping to take it a little easier this next week. She was able to see most of her immediate family which was wonderful for them and for Lisa. Their support and encouragement is more valuable than just about anything right now!

Lisa does welcome your phone calls, however, if you could hold your calls until after 10 in the morning and before 9 in the evening that would be great. Also, if Lisa answers the phone, just ask her if she is sleeping or if it is a good time to chat. She will usually say if she had been sleeping and will ask you to call later. As well, she has many different people that come to see her everyday, including a nurse, physio, home care, social workers and of course someone from her family

- so it may not be a convenient time to talk. Lastly, try to keep the phone calls short - her attention span is not quite up to par and although she does want to catch up on your lives her mind/body just won't permit it.....yet!

There are a couple of specific prayer requests at this time:

1) Lisa seems to be developing a minor infection in her back and will be on antibiotics but a quick healing is needed

2) Lisa's feet are still very swollen and it makes it a little more difficult to walk - pray her body will get rid of this extra fluid

3) Lisa's parents have been doing so much for Lisa and they need to take it a little easier (their bodies aren't as young as their minds!!) - Helen in particular needs some healing (back and hip) - so if you would pray for them too please!!

Lisa will see her surgeon again on the 7th of August. Hopefully she will be well enough that they could remove the 80 staples in her back (it makes me shiver just to type that!!).

As always your prayers and support are so appreciated!!!

Until next time, Andrea

My guardian angles have some cuts and bruises to be sure !

2007-08-19T01:01:00Z

God is really amazing, the way he protects us, the way he uses others, even strangers to grow in faith… have I got a story to tell J

Camp Inner change was amazing and on Wednesday while the campers were busy I slipped away with my 3 girls back to the office to tie up some loose ends at the office for our upcoming kids camp at Braeside. We did what we needed there and headed back to the camp for dinner. As we were traveling along the 403 in the slow lane a cement truck came into our lane clipping the back door of our vehicle and sending us for a spinning ride. We spun around in front of the truck as he t-boned us then spun again before rolling over twice in the center grass median stopping just centimeters short of the oncoming traffic on the other side. We were in a Honda civic hatch back. We all walked away, shook up to say the least, with bumps and bruises but alive. The car however was not… We thanked God for keeping us safe as Ray and Shirley along with Mark Gincola came to pick us up. Looking at the car, the Ambulance and Police there were amazed, and said it was noting short of a miracle we were alive.

Now if that’s not amazing enough…. here is the really cool part, I know my faith was strengthened from hearing it and I know yours will be too…

Later that evening we heard from Mark Gincola that a lady at his church had left a voice mail earlier in the day that rocked our world and reminded all of us how God takes care of us, sometimes using total strangers… This lady had been woken by a large bang sound that morning and seen in a vision of herself holding her hands over her eyes… God told her to look and see because he needed her to pray… she didn’t want to but God told her to have faith… she removed her hands from her eyes only to see a small car spinning and rolling uncontrollably on a highway with the hands of almighty God surrounding it. She, not knowing who it was (but thinking it may be a relative who also had a small car) began to pray and called Pastor Mark Gincola to also pray… he didn’t pick up the message until that evening after the events of the day had happened, as soon as he heard it he knew who she had been praying for… me, and my girls…

With the passing of my Grandfather last week and this incident It’s certainly been a wake up call… for me and I guess for all of us, to remember that our days our numbered… I’ve got a few more I guess, but they will come to an end. We need to remember to use each and every one of them to continually reach those he has called us to reach, or to pray for those He wakes us up... or lays on our heart to pray for… you just never know how God is going to use your obedience.

Thanking God for a few more days to serve Him

Pam

Update on Lisa Bramley

2007-07-12T19:37:00Z

Well, the first part is over! Lisa's surgery lasted for 7 hours, which was longer than they had expected, but she made it through!

The size of the tumor meant that there is a very large incision, so please pray for quick and painless healing of that.

The procedure went well, however, there were some unexpected things.

When they did the MRI on Tuesday they noticed fluid on her lungs, so they needed to drain that fluid to help her with her breathing. The doctor seemed to think that the fact that Lisa has had to spend most of her day lying down has not helped that situation and that with the removal of the tumor she will be able to resume a more "normal" life - off the couch!

They needed to remove part of 3 of her ribs. I'm assuming that this is because the tumor had grown into them - I don't really have details at this time. The doctor did say that this would cause a little more pain in the short term, but should not have any long-term negatives for her.

Lisa was in recovery for quite some time and they are keeping her sedated and at the time the information was passed on she was also on a ventilator to allow her body to rest and recover. It's possible they will keep her sedated for most of the day tomorrow as well, so her family may not get to see her until Friday.

That's really all the information I have at this time - I will continue to send updates with her progress as I get the information.

As always, your prayers are greatly appreciated and I'm asking too that you continue to pray, not only for Lisa, but for her family as well.

I'm sure each of us can imagine what it would be like to watch your child or sibling go through such a major procedure with more treatments and possibly more surgeries to come. Please pray that they have continued peace regarding Lisa's situation and that they get good rest each night so that they are able to offer Lisa the support both physically and emotionally that she is going to need.

I know that each of you treasure Lisa and know that she also treasures you!

Blessings,

It's July ( yipeeeee.... )

2007-07-11T18:02:00Z

Yes its some day in July… and that about describes my schedule right now. I’ve noticed that going to camp for a week is just like planning and attending a wedding. Its months of planning and preparation and within the blink of an eye it’s gone.

We had an amazing time at Silver Birches last week and driving home on Saturday I wondered just “where did the time go ?”. We had 99 hours with those kids from start to finish… 99 hours to pour into their lives, to physically ‘show’ them Jesus in us. Our program & area leaders, our counselors did just that, they spoke into the lives of those kids every moment they could and modeled the characteristics of Jesus for many children that never knew there was someone who loved them. There were prayer circles around the cabins, deep conversations at the dining hall tables, there were kids wrapping an arm around another at the altar and kids asking questions in the tree house… God was welcomed onto the camp grounds and He showed up in a real and powerful way. Lives were changed for eternity and the Angles were celebrating with a week long party!

I want to thank all those that led various activities, our ministry time, our programs, and those that counseled. You are all precious to me and to all those campers. Thank you for your sacrificial giving, the giving of your time, your self, your energy… God asks this of us in His word and you rose to the challenge and gave all you had… Thank you doesn’t seem enough… but Thank-You…

And it’s not over yet… I’m in the midst of Son Force Kids VBS and having a blast with my Jr. High group (yes Jr. High ahhhh) they are a great bunch all 15 of them!

God is continuing to stretch me this week and I truly covet your prayers as we prepare for Camp Innerchange and Braeside Kids Camp coming up in the next couple of weeks. I would love to still have a couple of other men for Braeside counseling, we all know how great it is to have smaller groups to connect with and I would like to see that happen even more with our boys that are so desperately searching for a positive male role model… Thanks in advance for answering the call…

NewZ on LISA BRAMLEY

Lisa is, as I write this, going through surgery for cancer in her back, Lisa was our District Children’s Pastor prior to myself and continued to work as a children’s pastor in our district. Pray has been requested for the doctors, for her strength and minimal organ damage… I will have an update later today concerning how the surgery went and will share that once I receive it. I have been allowed also to share her home address with you. She has been and continues to be a blessing to many and I know many of you will want to drop her a note in snail mail…. Here goes…Lisa Bramley 10 Esson Street #107 Kitchener, ON N2M 2T9

FYI

If you have spoken to me about counseling however haven’t provided your information (counselors or program leaders etc.) please get them into the office asap. Counselor guides are out and you should expect them this week to the address provided on your application. Please take the time to review the psychology of kids part, as well as the sections on ADD and ADHD we are going to have a great time of training and leadership development for both camps and are eager to get you prepared for your week. Early registration for Braeside has come and gone this past Monday, however we are still welcoming registration forms… please get them into the office ASAP (905) 637-7558 FAX (905) 637-5566 PHONE (ask for Natalie or Heather) Registration forms can be printed off the internet by going to www.kidzvillage.ca Can’t wait to see you all there…

I have attached a copy of braeside registration form as well as the volunteer forms…I have also attached our fall training event add for your planning purposes. We are continuing (in our spare timeJ ) to put all the details together with the host churches and are excited about this awesome opportunity to come together as sections and build in unity for God’s kingdom! Thanks in advance for planning on supporting this time of training… more information to follow…

Once again, I am in and out of the office, with limited cell and internet capability. Thank you for your understanding in terms of my delayed response time during this period… Heather Crooks continues to be a HUGE support to me in the office and can be reached at hcrooks@wod.paoc.org

Have a great week serving Him

Pam

"Insignificant Service"

2007-06-11T21:19:00Z

Thought for the Week

In the book of 2^nd Kings, Chapter 5 we read a story of Naaman. He was a highly regarded commander in the army and valiant solider. It becomes very clear in the story however that there is an affliction, the incurable disease of leprosy. Taking some liberty with the story I’m sure that a man in his position would certainly have the finest doctors, the best care, plenty of advice and medicine for his circumstance and yet he finds his true salvation in a young girl… a young child with faith and beliefs that rose above her circumstance to show love to another.

The soldiers of the army prior to this, has gone out and taken this young child captive. They had removed her from her homeland of Israel, taken her from her parents, from her family and brought her to a foreign land. She was forced to live a life of servant hood in Naaman’s home and was working for his wife. It was at her urging Naaman went to see the prophet of Samaria and was later healed of leprosy declaring “Now I know that there is no God in all the world except in Israel” vs 15

It’s a blessing as I read God’s word how he uses those I would least expect. There are many people recorded in the scriptures that at first appearance had insignificant roles, however usually their faith in God and desire to serve Him regardless of their circumstance catapults their influence forward to truly do amazing things. There are no trivial roles in the body of Christ especially in the area of ministry to children. Ministering to children, whether it’s sanitizing their hands at camp, preparing crafts, or upfront teaching continues to be a blessing to my life personally. As much as I pour into them they return to me two-fold in terms of those unexpected hugs, pictures drawn, emails sent, salvation or baptism received.

As you continue to work with volunteers under you, remember that all roles in children’s ministry are significant, from the grandma who works in the nursery holding babies, to the youth snack team, from the elderly man doing crowd control in children’s church to the young married couple who greets and takes attendance. We could do it all ourselves I know… and certainly manage well, however together we make our church and our future stronger by the investment we make in our children today.

What’s Going On…

Camp 2007

Registrations and Counselor applications are still coming in for our district camps. If you need more registration forms please go on line to www.kidzvillage.ca and click on the printable version. As a children’s pastor there is nothing better than bringing a bunch of kids and coming to camp with them. The spiritual development you see in one week equals more time that you would spend with them during a whole year. Picture this… as a children’s pastor you see a child on average 1 – 1.5 hours per week, sometimes with a ratio of 1 teacher to 20+ kids for a grand total of 52 – 78 hours… at camp you spend over 101 hours with a child in a ratio setting of 1 to 8. It’s an exciting opportunity to meet other children’s pastors and have a huge impact on a child life. Its not too late, contact me today and find our how you and your kids can be involved.

Questionnaire

Okay I know you all LOVE questionnaires, but I would appreciate if you could take a couple of minutes and check out the next email I will send you … Simply add your responses to the email and send it back to me… If you can’t answer them all no worries just answer the ones you can. Your input is so valuable and I thank you in advance for taking the extra few minutes to assist me and other children’s pastors with your responses. The data will be collected and available for everyone…

Fall 2007 – 2008 kidZvillage Calendar will be sent out next week, I’m trilled at some of the new initiatives that we have coming up in an effort to assist and bless you! Look for it soon…

Have a great week serving those He has called you to serve.

Pam

Making it all the way to Canaan...

2007-06-07T21:36:00Z

Genesis 11:27-32

31 Terah took his son Abram, his grandson Lot son of Haran, and his daughter-in-law Sarai, the wife of his son Abram, and together they set out from Ur of the Chaldeans to go to Canaan. But when they came to Haran, they settled there. 32 Terah lived 205 years, and he died in Haran.

Thought for the week…

God had given Terah a plan… the plan to go to a land of ‘milk and honey’ the plan to go to Canaan. He packed up his whole extended family, his tents, his animals everything and off he went with great vision, great purpose and a plan. However along the way to Canaan we see that Terah settled in Haran, geographically half way between where he had been and where God wanted him to go. Terah possibly didn’t intend on staying there for long… maybe it was just a pit stop… just for a while he would say…(cause it really was a long way!) but year after year he continued to say there, ½ way to his destination.

Terah settled in Haran, he settled for 2^nd best, and eventually he died there… It was Abram his son, the next generation that took up the call of God to continue on the way, to fully experience what God had intended for his family, for the people of God.

When we look at the Bible there are amazing people who did amazing things for God, but there was also someone coming right behind them that went even further in the call of God… it didn’t stop with Abram, because Isaac was next. He did amazing things for God, then Jacob was next. Jacob did great things but Joseph was next. Now Joseph did incredible things for God, but Moses was next…. And so on.

There is always someone beside us, behind us that God has great and amazing plans for and our job as Children’s Leaders, their Pastors is to see this God given potential, train them, and release them… cause God has great plan for them that will greatly exceed even our current ministry. What a great blessing, that we today can plant a seed, believe in their potential, and see the fruits of our labor. Possibly years from now as our ‘kids’ are the next great children’s pastor, the next amazing evangelist, or the ‘on fire for God’ bank clerk or public school teacher reaching people we never could…

We can learn a couple of lessons from Taran and Abram… As we plan for our coming summer programs, our coming September lets be conscious of God’s call on our lives, on our ministry… let’s never settle for second best, lets not go ½ way. Go all the way, to the land of milk and honey (kids will love that J ) and bring others along, our kids, our volunteers… Plan on pouring into them all that you have and watch God take their ministry farther than you ever imagined!

What’s Going On…

Silver Birches Kids Camp – Only 6 weeks away J

We are in need of some counselors, both Male and Female for the week of July 2^nd to 6^th. It’s an amazing week, an opportunity to truly impact young peoples lives for God. If you can assist us please fill out the form attached, thanks in advance for your servants heart and desire to see kids come into the kingdom of God!

Camp Inner-Change

Continue to be in prayer for this counselors and campers coming this week that God would move in their lives. That kid’s would be saved and filled with the Holy Spirit. That God would heal their broken lives and their broken hearts.

Braeside Kids Camp – Only 11 weeks away J

We are still in need of a few counselors in order to keep our counselor to camper ratio low. Camp is July 30^th to August 3^rd. If you can assist please fill out the attached form and return it to me. Thanks in advance for assisting us in making this camp all the God wants it to be.

L.I.F.T.2007

Workshops are being planned for Saturdays from September 29^th through November 24^th. Locations are being confirmed and will be announced next week. We are attempting to disperse the training events through-out the district allowing all churches to take advantage of this volunteer training. Plan to Protect Training will be included in the day’s events along with limited workshop choices pertaining directly to volunteers and their ministry in your church. I trust you, and they will find this day’s event to be a blessing to your children’s ministry program.

Be blessed this week as you serve others…

Pam

Who was it that impacted your life as a child?

2007-06-07T21:34:00Z

The Apostle Paul wrote: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.”

“I remember arriving at camp with big expectations and all the enthusiasm of being ten years old. At the registration table they told me that I would be with all my friends, and that my counselor’s name was Bob. Bob who? I didn’t know any Bob – he wasn’t’ here last summer. I was not impressed. I dragged my bag over to the cabin, determined not to like this new guy.

My determination was short lived. Bob was cool. I guess he was in his late teens or early twenties, short, strong, full of energy. I very soon came to realize that this was not just another guy who was there to make sure we went to sleep on time, and who would get mad at us if we didn’t.

Bob genuinely cared about us. He did stuff with us that no other cabin did – like the night we went on a secret mission and had chips, pop and devotions out on the dock. He made every one of us feel worth his while and important. When we talked he paid attention and listened, and he looked right at us. If we were sitting around telling dumb jokes, he laughed with us until we were all rolling off our bunks. When he talked about Jesus, it was as if he was talking about a real guy he knew personally and who mattered to him in everyday life. I decided that when I got old enough I wanted to be just like Bob.

Probably one of the reasons you will want to be at camp as a counselor is because of someone in your past, maybe a counselor at camp, or a Sunday school teacher, someone whose example made you sit up and take notice… But there is another reason, another counselor – The Counselor – whose example is the one your camp counselor, teacher or youth worker followed. If you want to become like the Counselor Bob of your past, you will need to become like this other Counselor. They called him Jesus.

Our Camps need you, Our Campers need you.

Come to camp this year and be a counselor to a child who desperately needs to see Jesus in YOU!

Fill in our counselor application form attached to this email and plan to come for a week at camp. Its hard work, I won’t sugar coat it, but your rewards will overflow as you see the fruits of your labor come alive in your campers over the 5 intensive days you will spend with them…

Silver Birches Kids Camp, Kirkland Lake Ontario – July 2^nd to 6^th is in need of 6 female and 5 male counselors. It is essential that we receive applications for these positions this week in order to continue with camp planning. 110 kids are waiting for you! Please don’t put this off any longer, come and be a blessing and be blessedJ If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact me today…

If your church would like to participate in this outreach as a mission’s adventure please contact me about all the details….