A few years ago, I felt compelled to integrate missions into our children’s ministry with more intentionality. As I look at our students, I often think about how many may be called to missions. I see some of them leading worship in our preteen ministry and wonder if that calling is beginning in their own lives. My daughter is playing guitar now and LOVES missions, too. I often consider how God will one day use her.

Our Sunday curriculum has a Mission’s Moment in each unit. In AWANA large group on Wednesdays, several missionaries or mission related groups speak throughout the year. While all of that educates our children in the mission work that our church supports, it is those moments that our children EXPERIENCE missions that, I believe, resonate in their lives for years to come.

In February, our students had a mission’s opportunity that was so very special. Our families signed up through AWANA to deliver flowers to our widows on Valentine’s Day. This simple act makes a widow feel seen, and it trains our children to live out scripture by caring for the widow and the orphan.

It is exciting to hear the stories of missions abroad. We are prayerful for those going on numerous mission trips this next year. We are also thankful for local mission opportunities that inspire a kindergartener to be the hands and feet of Christ. I still remember the many times that my mom brought me to check on shut-ins from our church when I was a child. Grace goes with me on hospital and nursing home visits, and she delivered flowers to widows on Valentine’s Day. I pray she remembers those moments as an adult and continues to live on mission reaching out to those that need a smile, a hug, a kind word, and maybe a flower.