A Ministry Transformed by the Gospel

As a brand new kids minister, God placed me at a church where the gospel is central. In my first few months at Third Baptist Church, my pastor, Mike Lee, preached a sermon on the gospel unlike anything I had heard before. For the first time, I heard that the gospel is about way more than my individual salvation – the gospel is about God’s glory. God changed my life through the truths I learned there and freed me from the burden of performance-based Christianity I had been living under for years.

My mission became clear. I wanted every kid that came through our preschool and children’s ministry to know the gospel is not about what they need to do but about what Jesus has already done. I set out to find a curriculum that would point my kids to the same life-transforming power of Christ crucified. This proved to be a more difficult task than I anticipated.

I hit wall after wall. I found highly creative curriculum that taught to all the various learning styles in fresh, interactive ways, but the content focused on moral development. Great information, but no power to transform. I found theologically-rich curriculum that taught the truths of the gospel, but the material pushed the bounds of being age-appropriate and the activities weren’t user-friendly or engaging. Transformational power, but not in a format to connect with kids.

You can imagine my excitement when I heard that Lifeway was launching The Gospel Project for Kids. We signed up! The Gospel Project was a perfect fit. I was blown away each week as I saw my kids connecting the big story of the Bible to God’s work of redemption through Jesus.

Now, working on The Gospel Project for Kids team, I get to hear exciting stories like the ones below:

“With The Gospel Project, I’m able to share the gospel clearly, biblically, and chronologically. It’s powerful. The kids sit there with mouths open…I’m letting everyone know about The Gospel Project that asks our church, ‘What are you doing that is helping you grow?’” – Mark, Children’s Pastor in Tennessee

I want my people to know the stories of the Bible and to also know Christ and Him crucified. The Gospel Project accomplishes both! – Jeff, Pastor in Texas

I have searched for something like The Gospel Project for my kids ministry for 15 years. – Patrick, Kids Leader in New Jersey

After six weeks of using The Gospel Project with my boys, they both prayed to receive Christ as their Lord and Savior. – Jeff, Missionary in Columbia

Share your story of how God has used the gospel to transform your kids and leaders in the comments section below.

Karen Jones is the preschool content editor for The Gospel Project for Kids. Karen came to Lifeway in 2014 after serving as Minister to Preschool and Children at Third Baptist Church of Murfreesboro, TN for seven years. Karen has over 15 years experience in preschool and children’s ministry. She earned an M.A. in Christian Education from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.