When it comes to children's ministry, it is essential to start at the very beginning. JESS MORAN, kids’ minister at St Luke’s, Miranda, believes that discipleship starts from the moment a child is born and loves partnering in that with families at her church. 

​​There’s always been a need for a crèche and a playgroup, and a need for 0-5 ministry at our church. When I started working here six years ago, I got to grow and develop the existing 0-5 program. 

We combine crèche and preschool children all together. Kids need to feel safe where they are, so it’s a blessing to ensure there is a place specifically for them. The need is always there – most churches have some sort of crèche and a need for 0-5 care. 

Our program runs while church is on, and is for kids from when they can walk until when they start school. We have 15-20 minutes of free play and lots to play with! 

We write our own kids’ programs. It’s organised so that every three years we will have gone through the entire Bible with them. Most kids want to be in group time. Singing songs is the most engaging part and they don’t realise that, while they’re having fun, they’re also memorising Scripture and praising God together. 

I want all the kids to listen to the story, and while we expect the preschoolers to be able to pay attention, we know that the very young ones’ participation depends on how their morning is going. 

Why do we prioritise teaching the whole Bible to toddlers?

Kids thrive off routine. When a child comes to crèche, if they know what to expect every week, with all levels of creativity and fun, we’re setting up a routine of what church looks like for them. If they expect they are going to read the Bible, pray and sing, that’s a practice we’re setting up for their lifetime.

The play will change as they grow, but having that routine by the time they are five sets them up for moving to kids’ church, then youth group, and then adulthood. Creating godly routines when they start attending church is important. 

Discipleship is for everyone

Kids need to be creating healthy, godly patterns as early as possible. Having Bible stories, songs and prayer in crèche helps them to learn that this is what happens at church, and these are the things we do if we want to grow in our love and knowledge of Jesus. 

From as early as two, it can create a strong gospel foundation in their lives that will hopefully continue on as teens and adults. Discipleship starts from the moment they’re born. I don’t want kids missing out on growing in their love and knowledge of Jesus just because they’re four years old!

We are partners in this precious ministry

Discipleship comes first and foremost from Mum and Dad. But not everyone’s home is safe, not everyone has parents who are Christian, and we can’t just say to parents, “That’s your job”. We want to partner with parents as they go through the ups and downs of parenting. 

It’s my job to look for resources, help engage their children at church, and support them. I find it a blessing to share what I’m learning and what I get to do with families. 

We have a sweet family with three kids in crèche who love one of our crèche leaders. The parents tell us their children thank God for them every single night in their prayers! I never thought that kids would attach themselves to another person this early, but it’s lovely to hear that they love their leaders and that these leaders have such a huge impact on the children.

I want parents to know that coming to church weekly, a place where they will grow in their own love and knowledge of Jesus, is also going to set their kids up to have a strong relationship with God as they get older and life gets complicated.

Having a regular habit of church in their kids’ lives is really important to support them in the growth of healthy, godly habits. It shows your children what’s important in life – worshipping Jesus and having fellowship with other Christians. 

Discipleship is for everyone. Kids learning from the Bible, learning how to pray and worshipping God in song from an early age will set them up for life. It’s a really important part of their spiritual development. Even when it’s tough, keep coming to church, and keep reading the Bible with your kids.