Kids Ministry

Dedicated to helping Kids Ministry leaders in their mission of making disciples

  • Blog
  • Podcast
  • Training
  • Events
  • Team
  • Resources
Encouragement, Kids Ministry, Leadership, Ministry
September 1, 2017

Pray and Meet: An Event for the New Ministry Year

By Delanee Williams

The “to-do” list for the beginning of a ministry year seems endless. Enlist teachers. Train volunteers. Pass out new curriculum. Organize children into their new classes, and on, and on. However, a few years ago as I was serving on a local church staff, I felt we needed to provide an opportunity to pray together as a ministry for the upcoming ministry year. In addition, the teachers of our various preschool ministries needed time to fellowship together. Why would we want to add one more task to the “to-do” list? We wanted to communicate the importance of prayer and fellowshipping with other adults. As we visited with teachers about their plans about returning to teach for the next year, many shared they were missing adult fellowship. As a result, an event called “Pray and Meet” began.

In planning, we were intentional with the purpose of the event. We wanted to provide a specific time teachers and other church members could come to the church and pray for the upcoming year. We encouraged the teachers to pray together. Preschool parents and other church members were invited to come pray with and over the teachers. Also, a goal was to provide a time of fellowship for the teachers to build connections with other adults who were serving in the ministry.

We selected an evening prior to “Promotion Sunday.” We sent invitations to all volunteers in our ministry, letting them know of a come-and-go time of prayer and fellowship. We put together a pamphlet including prayer prompts/requests from each of our preschool ministries.  Outside each classroom door, we listed the names of the teachers for each ministry. This allowed people to pray specifically for each teacher by name. We also provided ice cream and cookies for a time of fellowship together.

It was encouraging to see how God used “Pray and Meet.” We saw new friendships among teachers form and other friendships grow. Teachers were encouraged as others came and prayed for them. Families came and prayed for the new year with their child’s teacher. Our leadership was able to build connections with teachers and other preschool families.

As you plan your ministry calendar, intentionally plan for a time of prayer and fellowship. How can you provide an opportunity for teachers to pray together and connect with one another and other families?

Delanee Williams serves as a Ministry Specialist with Lifeway Kids. She is a graduate of Baylor University and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.  Delanee has served in kids ministry for over twenty years and is passionate about developing, equipping and encouraging leaders.

You may also like -

  • 6 Things Kids Leaders Should Know about Curriculum: Part 66 Things Kids Leaders Should Know about Curriculum: Part 6
  • 5 Ps for Productive Planning: Part 45 Ps for Productive Planning: Part 4
  • 5 Ps for Productive Planning: Part 35 Ps for Productive Planning: Part 3
  • 5 Ps for Productive Planning: Part 25 Ps for Productive Planning: Part 2

Filed Under: Encouragement, Kids Ministry, Leadership, Ministry September 1, 2017

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Subscribe to Podcast

Apple PodcastsGoogle PodcastsAndroidby EmailRSS

Sign Up to receive the free Kids Ministry 101 Magazine!

Get the Digital Magazine Get the Print Magazine
Want to write for Lifeway Kids?

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 1,210 other subscribers

@LifeWayKids
FOLLOW
My Tweets

All Ministry Sites

Leadership
Kids Ministry
Student Ministry
Groups Ministry
Women’s Ministry
Worship Ministry

Digital Resources

Ministry Grid
Lifeway Worship
Digital Church
KidEvent Pro
MyCurriculum Manager
Simulcast Manager
Lifeway Reader eBooks
Generosity
WORDsearch
SmallGroup.com

Lifeway Network

Lifeway Research
B&H

Copyright © 2021 · Lifeway Christian Resources · All Rights Reserved