Author: Robin Schadt
When we first started coming to Stonebridge 10 years ago, I was a mom to a 3-year-old, 2-year-old, and newborn and my husband was only able to make it home a couple of days a month. As you can imagine, those days were long and challenging. One of the things that kept me going, was looking forward to church on Sunday. The hour of somebody else pouring love into my kids was much needed for them and me.
Once my children grew older, I felt called to provide the same love and care that I had experienced to other families in our congregation, and six years ago, I began regularly serving in children’s ministry. Before serving regularly, I started by filling in where needed on Sunday mornings. Once we began coming on Wednesday nights, I started helping in the preschool room. That eventually turned into helping in the K-5 room, where I still serve on Wednesday nights. When the 10 o’clock class hour started being offered two years ago, I committed to helping in the 3rd-grade classroom, where I still serve today.
Throughout the years, I have been blessed to form new friendships with teachers and parents. My favorite parts of serving in elementary are forming bonds with the kids and hearing their thoughts and prayers. There are times on Wednesday Nights in our Kindergarten-2nd grade room when all three of us adults look at each other in amazement at how deep a thought or prayer is.
My daughters are now in the 9th, 8th, 7th, and 6th grade this fall and my son will be in 4th grade. They have all grown up in children’s ministry at Stonebridge, experiencing the intentional discipleship that our wonderful Stonebridge Kids team provides. They have been blessed to have many godly adults they can turn to and look forward to seeing every weekend (and they are usually greeted with a hug), which would not be possible without committed volunteers. In fact, my children’s experience has been so positive that all four of my girls are now serving in Stonebridge Kids. It’s such a clear picture of disciples making disciples.
I am thankful for the volunteers who serve our children, and I am also so thankful for the opportunity to serve in Stonebridge Kids as we help teach and disciple the next generation.
