Part of our DNA is making our churches a welcoming place for children. In the context where we work, it involves having mats that can be spread out in the front of the church for children to sit on. It means ignoring crying babies, children wandering in and out of the service, providing Sunday School materials and training for teachers, and making church a place where children are happy and want to bring their friends. A few weeks ago, a little girl came to church and saw that they were giving out the Christmas Child boxes. She ran home and soon brought back one of her friends. She asked the pastor if her friend could have a box too. The pastor agreed and this friend went home with her box and a little pamphlet that told about Jesus. She showed it to her mother and asked, "Would it be alright if I went to church too? There are lots of children there". The mother asked the dad, who was a bit reluctant but then agreed. The parents noticed a difference in the little girls behavior and asked her about it. "It is Jesus. He lives in my heart and I want to do what pleases Him." The mom asked the dad if she could go one Sunday to church and see what it was about. She too, accepted Christ. The dad was not at all happy since they were followers of a different religion. He decided he would go and talk to the pastor. When he arrived at the church, he heard the singing and he saw his little girl singing so happily about Jesus. His heart was touched and he found himself asking the pastor how he could become a Christian. Making our churches the children's place is in our DNA. We have sought to welcome them as Jesus did.
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