Typically, when we hear “humanitarian,” we picture agencies of people doing invaluable things – traveling to disaster zones, building schools, feeding communities, and helping during crises… but sometimes humanitarian work looks like showing up every Sunday.
When I signed up to be a volunteer for my Church Pre-K and Kindergarten classes, I was simply being obedient to the Lord. Jesus modeled leadership and servanthood better than anyone else, so why couldn’t I give my time? I started as a volunteer and had the very uncomplicated task of making sure the kids paid attention to the best of their ability, while simultaneously making sure we didn’t lose any of them.
As I grew in the role, eventually to Assistant Director, I learned the names of the kids and their parents, because earning their trust felt super important. I came with intentionality every week to grow closer to them, to see them and encourage them. Most kids were Sunday faithfuls, some new, and others were dragged to church by their cousins because they had a sleepover the night before.
As you can imagine, 20 preschoolers in one room presents challenges.
Besides the Bible lesson, we want to teach them how to treat themselves and others with kindness, love, and respect. They don’t always want to listen, but at three and four years old, emotions can be big. Oftentimes, those emotions come out as tantrums, crying, or sometimes even hitting another child. While we aren’t their parents, we are entrusted with their care and safety for those two hours, and we take that responsibility seriously. It can be challenging to explain right from wrong to such young children, especially when they don’t yet have the words or understanding to process what they’re feeling. Still, we do our best to meet them where they are – gently redirect them, and teach them with patience, compassion, and the love of Christ.
Our impact might feel insignificant in comparison to what other ministries do, but the more I reflect on what God’s word says I am reminded of Proverbs 22:6 which says, “Train up a child in the way that they should go: and when they are old, they will not depart from it.” So, while we may only have them for a short time, there is still an impact to be made.
What may seem like just two hours on Sunday to us could be a small, but meaningful part of a child’s foundation of faith. One day, they may reflect on an activity we did, or song we sang along to. They may simply remember the kind teachers who spoke life into them. That alone makes serving in the preschool classroom far more significant than it may seem. We may not see the full impact of what we do, but we can trust that God can use even our smallest acts of service to plant seeds that may continue to grow long after our time with them is over. We have the opportunity to introduce these children to God’s love and show them what it looks like to be cared for, encouraged, forgiven, and guided in His ways.
I’m not saving the world every Sunday. Most weeks, I’m just bribing a room full of kids with Goldfish so they can remain focused on the lesson. But maybe that’s part of it, too.
THIS PHOTO CONTAINS PAWSOME CONTENT.
SORRY FOR THE WAIT, BUT WE PROMISE IT’LL BE WORTH IT. SIGN UP SO YOU DON’T MISS IT!
