One mom cautiously asked, “My child wants to come to church. Can we come?”
We know parents are their children’s first teachers—the catalyst for where and when their child attends school, and church, for that matter. At Wonder Years Preschool, we are privileged to cultivate a community of young learners. Currently, 68% of our students bring their parents to chapel, Sunday service, and programs offered by our Family Ministries.
Over the years, our teachers have seen these three-foot tall leaders emerge as champions for Jesus. We hear story after story from parents: “Mom, hurry up and sit down; I’m hungry and we need to pray,” one young man says, asserting that all must be present at the table to say grace before eating breakfast. We hear of children retelling the true stories of the Bible and reciting monthly memory verses. These are constant examples of how our young leaders are integrating Jesus into their family’s life.
Luke 18:16-17 says:
But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”
The children attending Wonder Years Preschool are not only receiving His message, they are sharing the words that are being tucked into their hearts by our compassionate teaching staff. These small but mighty disciples for Christ know of His love most of all. In my time here observing God’s Spirit at work in Wonder Years, I have learned a humbling lesson: Never underestimate the power of His Word on the growing mind and heart of a preschool child.
by Sheila Sierts, Director of Family Ministries
