We all want a GREAT life! You might consider yourself to already have a great life, or you may think your life isn’t so great and never will be. That’s what’s so great about God’s Word…it trumps any thoughts or feelings we experience. God has an amazing plan for your life and the lives of the kids in your class and ministry. His plans encompass both who we are to be and what we are to do. The purpose of this series is to help kids discover what true greatness is and how we can live the great life God has planned. I love Dr. Tim Kimmel’s definition of true greatness: “A passionate love for God that demonstrates itself in an unquenchable love and concern for others.” We want kids to know that God thinks about them, plans amazing things for them, and has some things He wants them (and all of us) to do for Him, their families and friends, and the world around them. Can you imagine a generation of truly great people who know they were made on purpose by a great God for a great mission? They could actually change the world!
Matthew 28:19 (NIV) says, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit…” This verse is known widely as the Great Commission. Jesus issued this challenge moments before departing earth for Heaven. He wanted the Church to know without a doubt that it’s our job to reach the lost. Missions matter to God. We want the kids to understand and know that it’s our job to go out into the world and share the love of Jesus. This mission may take them anywhere from next door to across the globe. Kids will travel with Paul and Barnabas through their first missionary journey and see firsthand the challenges and blessings that missionaries experience. Our prayer is that this series will challenge kids to reach outside of what they know and embrace the world around them. We believe that this series will encourage kids to answer the call to become missionaries right now in their communities.
Dr. Ellen (Eby) Moore serves as the Children’s Pastor at The Ark Church. Ellen is convinced that God has incredible plans for every child’s life right now, not just for when they grow up, and they are changing the world. Ellen has been happily married to her childhood sweetheart, Phillip, for over 25 years, and they’re enjoying the “empty nest” as both of their children, Joshua and Meagan, are in college. When she has free time, you’ll usually find her in the kitchen.