Our Elementary kids ministry at Celebration Church in Austin, TX adopted 10 kids in Xai Xai, Mozambique, Africa, last year and devotes an offering every month to support them. We posted their pictures and biographies near the entrance to our kids spaces so that parents and kids could get familiar with who they are supporting every month. One week, a 2nd grader even brought his piggy bank with a ton of coins in it and gave it to the Xai Xai kids! We have had some great teaching moments about giving to others and posting the pictures in the kid's rooms puts the Xai Xai kids in the forefront of our own kids' minds. Through the sponsor program, we get letters from the Xai Xai kids and then we read them to our elementary kids during tithe and offering time. Reading the Xai Xai kids stories to our kids really puts everything in perspective. We see how people in other countries are less fortunate and don't have basic needs like running water or even an extra pair of underwear. It reminds us how blessed we are in America and how even giving to others, no matter how insignificant it may be to us, really matters.
Our church is currently building a campus in Xai Xai, and this weekend is the launch. I encourage you to think of creative ways to get your kids excited about serving locally and globally.....it really does matter!
For more information about Celebration Kids, contact Pastor Shawn Bouldin at sbouldin@celebrationchurchtx.com twitter @shawnbouldin or check out http://www.celebrationchurchtx.com/
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