What I’ve Learned After 20+ Years in Kids Ministry
/(The Good, the Hard, and the Holy)
(The Good, the Hard, and the Holy)
After more than twenty years in kids ministry, I’ve learned that the work we do with children matters more than most people will ever fully see.
I’ve watched kids pray bold prayers.
I’ve seen faith take root in small, quiet moments.
I’ve also experienced seasons that stretched me, tested me, and reshaped the way I approach ministry, leadership, and calling.
Looking back now, I can honestly say I wouldn’t trade those years. But I also wouldn’t repeat them the same way.
Here’s what I’ve learned — the good, the hard, and the holy parts that stayed with me.
The Good
Kids have a kind of faith that adults often forget how to access.
They believe without overthinking. They trust easily. They ask honest questions and expect honest answers. When given space to explore faith through story, creativity, and relationship, kids don’t just learn about God — they experience Him.
Some of the most powerful ministry moments I’ve ever witnessed didn’t happen on a stage. They happened in conversations, prayer circles, crafts, games, and simple explanations of big truths.
I’ve learned that:
Small moments matter more than big productions
Storytelling sticks longer than lectures
Kids remember how you made them feel far more than what you said
The good moments — the ones that reminded me why I was called — always involved connection, not performance.
The Hard
Kids ministry is joyful, but it’s not easy.
Burnout is real.
Expectations are often unclear.
Support systems don’t always exist the way leaders need them to.
I’ve learned that loving kids deeply while navigating systems, change, and pressure can quietly wear people down if they aren’t supported well.
There were seasons where the calling was clear, but the structure around it wasn’t sustainable. Seasons where passion had to fight fatigue. Seasons where creativity felt squeezed instead of celebrated.
The hard parts taught me something important:
Calling alone is not enough — sustainability matters.
Ministry should be life-giving, not life-draining. And leaders need tools, clarity, and encouragement just as much as kids do.
The Lessons That Changed Everything
Over time, a few core truths reshaped how I approach ministry — and eventually, how I create resources.
Kids don’t need perfect. They need present.
Consistency and authenticity matter more than polish.Faith grows best through story and relationship.
When kids can see themselves in the story, they lean in.Families want help — even when they don’t know how to ask.
Parents are looking for simple, practical ways to talk about faith at home.Leaders need resources that serve them, not overwhelm them.
Tools should lighten the load, not add to it.
These lessons didn’t come from one moment. They came from years of showing up, adjusting, listening, and learning.
Where All of This Led Me
Over time, my role shifted — not away from kids, but toward supporting the people who love and lead them.
That’s what led me to create faith-based books, curriculum, and resources through storytelling and creative learning. Resources designed to meet kids where they are and to encourage families and ministry leaders along the way.
The heart behind my work hasn’t changed.
The expression of it has.
After all these years, I’m still passionate about helping kids grow big faith — and about equipping the adults who walk with them to feel confident, supported, and encouraged.
A Final Thought
If you’re a parent, leader, or storyteller who sometimes feels the weight of doing this work well, you’re not alone.
The calling is meaningful.
The work is sacred.
And the stories we tell — and live — matter.
I’m grateful for where I’ve been, and hopeful about what’s ahead.
If you’re looking for resources to help kids and families grow in faith through story, you’re in the right place.
