GinaMcClain.com

It’s Sunday night and our small group just left the house.

I love our small group.

A fun mix of people… some single, some married.  Some parents, some not.  All followers of Jesus.

I love that we share this common pursuit…

to love Jesus and love others.

I love that when I’m around them I’m challenged to dig even deeper in that pursuit.  The blessing of true community is when the presence of community draws you closer to Jesus.

So, naturally, my thoughts turn toward kids.  Knowing the importance of community for Christ-followers then I’m challenged to figure out how to foster community for kids that draws them closer to Jesus.  Some churches have a mid-week discipleship experience with the opportunity to provide a small group element for elementary age kids.  However, when a mid-week experience is not an option finding ways to create community for kids can be a challenge.

I’d love to hear thoughts from parents and kidmin people alike.

As a parent, how would you like to see your church foster community for your kids?  Do you want another night out in the week?  Or would you like to see that worked into your small group time?

As a kidmin leader, how would you create community in the absence of a mid-week service?

Lay it on me, friends.  Post your thoughts below and help a sista’ out.

Shaun King is one guy I know that has proven the power of social networking to rally the Church.  Since the tragic earthquake in Haiti, Shaun and his team have played a key role in being a voice for those affected by this devastation.  Now he’s calling for help again.  We’re 13 days from the rainy season.  Most Haitians are currently sleeping on the streets.  Rebuilding homes cannot begin for another 6 months to a year.  The best shelter we can provide today is a waterproof tent.  But time is running out.  In order to get the tent shipped in time they must be purchased as soon as possible.

Click here for more details on why you want to purchase a tent, how you can purchase a tent and what you can do to get the word out.

I met Deb Shropshire a few years ago.  I’d seen her around the campus every weekend for a long time.  She had two young kids in my ministry so waves hello and the common “How are you?” exchange was the extent of our interaction.  Last April Deb grabbed me in the hall to ask how my son was recovering.  I was taken back internally trying to determine how she knew my son had been sick.  You see, Connor’s asthma worsened to the point of hospitalization.  Turns out Deb is a pediatrician and one of my volunteers asked her to pray for Connor.

Fast forward to September.  Deb and I sit down over coffee.  From that single cup of coffee sparked a great friendship.

You see, Deb isn’t your average pediatrician.

• She serves as the doctor for the local foster care shelter
• She led her clinic to shift from a general Peds clinic to one that primarily serves kids in the foster care system
• She challenges med students to seek more than the big house, nice car & healthy investments… but to live for a cause bigger than themselves
• She inspires those around her to have hope where hope isn’t common

Recently Deb launched a blog.

Her goal is simply to tell their story.

The story of kids, parents, families caught in a broken system.

A system most people believe can never be fixed.

But Deb believes it can.  And if you spend any amount of time with her, you’ll start to believe it too.

Check out her blog.  Read her thoughts and experiences.  She’ll reveal a world that most people don’t know exists.  And she’ll give you hope for a miracle only God could accomplish… and probably wants to… which is why He’s inspired people like Deb Shropshire.  To make His Hope known in a world where hope is rare.