This past Sunday at the River, I helped in the 3-4 year old class. I was one of the three group leaders for the over 70 children who attended. There were children from all backgrounds, many didn’t even speak English, but it was so awesome to see the anointing of God flow through them regardless. We kept them all together at first and had worship. Many of the kids who were nervous or unreceptive at first became alive after a few songs. When we split them into groups I had close to 25 kids. The lesson we did was to explain that the real reason for the season was, is, and forever will be Jesus! The children were excited to participate, but also very attentive.
They sat and listened which is usually a challenge, especially with that many kids functioning in one room. After the main lesson I shared a very simple salvation message with the kids and asked them who wanted to have Jesus in their hearts. The gospel is so simple that even three year olds know that it’s something good and they want to be a part of it. We went on to do some other crafts and things, but the focus of everything was Jesus being the true meaning of Christmas, not trees, or Santa Claus. We didn’t even have to bring those things up. Once you shine with the truth the darkness and fake have no place. At the end of the day we got all of the kids and their belongings together. We talked about what we had learned and reminded them that some of them said that they wanted to have Jesus in their hearts. We said a simple prayer with everyone and as a result 54 gave their little hearts to Jesus. Hallelujah!
I have been to many of Pastor Rodney Howard-Browne’s services on Sunday and it is always a pleasure to serve in the “ministry of helps” and lift up the hands of the men and women of God.
On this particular Sunday, it was different
On this Sunday, we had MANY visitors come in with LOTS of children. We were giving away toys to the children. My husband was volunteering as an usher and I was helping the children register for their toy give away. It was really great to be a part of this because I got to see them before the service then, I volunteered in toy distribution after the service. So I got to see these peoples faces before and after. I noticed allot the kids being timid and scared and some seemed excited when they came up to register. Some of the parents seemed a little confused and some were eager to get in the service. It was so awesome to be able to make them feel welcome and see the change in their faces. This change in their faces was especially noticeable after the service when I was in toy distribution volunteering. You could just see that their spirits were fed and they would also leave with a toy….so amazing.
One lady I spoke with had actually been quite grumpy and towards the middle of the service her whole countenance changed! One little girl had been really timid when she registered and then, after the service, she was like a new little girl!
On top of doing all this, The River church had a food ministry. They gave away food to people who needed it. Now they would not only be spiritually fed, they would be physically fed! The service was so anointed. There was something like 350 decisions for Christ! One of the salvations being someone we had invited to the church. What an anointed service and helps ministry. I would recommend this church to anyone and I do!