Dear First Pres,

   Our church campus has been aglow this week with Children’s Ministry’s first large event since March 2020. About 71 children and 80 or so volunteers are gathered for City Bible Adventure, a collaborative partnership with Bethany Innercity Church, World Impact, On Ramps Church, Hope Now for Youth, and Martin Park.

   It has been full steam ahead (pun intended) as we embarked on the Rocky Railway to help children discover that the power of Jesus is something they can count on to pull them through life’s ups and downs.

   From day one, children quickly latched onto and began joyfully belting out the worship music with hand motions taught by three of our Summer Staffers, De’Jshon, Emily, and Kaitlyn. Our emcee, Anthony Sidney, aka “Conductor Anthony” and Rob Ellis, aka “Cam Track” lead us each day in understanding the daily Bible Point and exploring Jesus’ power. We’re learning Bible verses, hearing powerful Bible stories, creating fun gizmos, learning about other children who have learned to depend on Jesus’ power, and engaging in outdoor games (yes, even in this heat!). Children are all smiles and full of energy each evening. It is life-giving to those of us who have been separated from lots of these children for quite a while.  

   One of the most important things we’ve been encouraging the children and Crew Leaders to do is to be on the lookout for God Sightings--everyday clues that God is present, passionate, and powerful. It’s an acknowledgment that God has done something. It’s developing a God-focused view and a grateful heart. We can see God in His scriptures (a verse God leads us to), people (a kind word or touch), circumstances (an encounter to share Jesus with someone who has yet to know Him), and nature (a blooming flower in your garden).

   For me, personally, my God sightings have been seen in the many volunteers who have given this week to serve so that children can know him more deeply, or come to know Him for the first time. Many of them did not wait to be asked to serve. They came to me and said, “I want to help with CBA, here’s what I can do” or “I want to serve at CBA, put me wherever you want.” Another God sighting is watching the children arrive with a great attitude, smiling as broad as can be, with a great big hug to offer. The Holy Spirit is very present as we sing out to our powerful God and the children leave wanting to come back the next evening. Two moms have told me that their children are up and dressed in their bright yellow CBA shirts first thing in the morning, ready to go. We begin at 5pm!

   I hope you, too, can find time to pause each day and see how God is at work and showing Himself to you. It’s pleasing to God and it keeps you keenly aware to keep His Spirit finely tuned in our lives so we don’t miss a single thing He is doing in and around us.

Blessings, 

Margie Nuñez