Devon Brown shares the story of how she and her family have been blessed by the Westheights Children’s Ministry.
“Westheights Children’s Ministry has made a strong and lasting impact on our family in a variety of ways. Before coming to Westheights we visited a number of churches, but after each visit our children would grumble and beg not to have to go back. As a child the churches I attended with my family had wonderful kids programs. One of my favourite memories as a child was being part of the Children’s Choir at the church we attended. I felt valued by the church community. I developed great friendships and had opportunities to express my faith through songs that had meaning to me.
“When we came to Westheights, my oldest daughter, Casey, felt an immediate sense of belonging. The leaders downstairs were so welcoming to her, and people made an effort to learn her name and speak to her when they saw her. She’s been involved in a variety of aspects of the children’s ministry here, but she finds the Red vs. Blue events with the Junior Highs to be her favourite. She’s part of a team, and she gets to compete, but in a safe setting that’s filled with love.
“My middle daughter Sophie doesn’t always make it downstairs on Sunday mornings, but she never misses a Take it Home event. She especially enjoyed this year’s Take it Home. It was a spin on the popular show The Amazing Race. All of the challenges involved parents and kids learning about and talking about money and budgeting. Sophie is a babysitter in training with her older sister, and she is now more conscientious about saving and giving away some of her earnings.
“My son Keaton also enjoys the Take it Homes and this year was a key one for him, as he received his Bible. It sits proudly on his dresser, and though he’s not a strong enough reader to yet navigate his way through it, he will ask questions and ask us to help him look up the answers in his Bible.
“For me, serving as a volunteer in the Toddler room has been such a privilege. I don’t know that there is anywhere in the world that God’s glory is more apparent than through the wonder and beauty of a two year old. Westheights Children’s Ministry has touched our family in many ways and it has certainly brought us closer to God.”