Children singing with assisted living residents, preparing care kits and leading prayers are helping congregations put a compassionate faith into practice. During an online meeting of churches participating in the Nurturing Care children’s ministry grant initiative, ministry leaders shared accounts of projects that connect spiritual growth with service. Across their reports, five themes emerged: building relationships across generations, responding to community needs, nurturing prayer, empowering young leaders and creating culturally inclusive worship.
The meeting opened with an All Saints Day reflection led by national coordinator Dr. Dana Preusch. Participants remembered people whose faith, courage and compassion had influenced their lives, from family members to public figures such as Frederick Douglass and Fred Rogers. That emphasis on the lasting influence of faithful examples carried into the churches’ reports, which showed children learning from adults while also inspiring them.
Building relationships across generations was a recurring priority. Monica Gaige, reporting from Palmer Alaska, described two visits in which children sang for residents of an assisted living home. Residents who initially watched quietly began smiling and singing along, she said, while the children were eager to return. San Diego First Church reported similar plans for an Advent musical at an assisted living facility in La Jolla. Children were rehearsing songs and movements while learning about Jesus’ birth, preparing to share those lessons through a visit with older neighbors.
Practical compassion also connected children with people beyond their usual church activities. Jasmine Brenneman described children working alongside an adult Sunday school class to assemble and pray over care kits containing hand warmers and rain protection. An upcoming gathering would introduce children to the church’s congregational care ministry and involve them in making cards for Thanksgiving meals delivered to homebound people and single mothers. At San Diego First Church, families decorated pumpkins, with deliveries planned through the care ministry for members unable to leave their homes.
In Salinas, California, Tim King shared how his grandchildren joined their parents in a recurring meal ministry serving people experiencing homelessness. The children helped distribute food and later described the experience during worship. King said their reflections revealed growing compassion and an awareness that they could help meet community needs. Their testimony also gave the congregation an opportunity to hear directly from children about faith expressed through service.
Churches were also making prayer accessible through activities children could understand and practice. Brooke Garcia described a fall harvest event at Pine Hill Church where Pastor Sam taught children about prayer and invited them to pray at the altar. Children submitted prayer requests that the children’s ministry continued bringing before the congregation on Sundays. Drawing on ideas shared by other participants, the church also developed a daily prayer calendar to guide families in praying for pastors, relatives, friends and people experiencing loneliness.
Pastor Randy Chatto described a prayer trail being developed on church property. At one station, children would select rocks, decorate them to represent someone or something in their prayers, and return them during a later walk. He also recalled his granddaughter independently approaching the altar during a revival service. When he asked about her decision afterward, she connected it to what she had learned about prayer and seeking God. Chatto said her example moved adults in the congregation, illustrating how children’s spiritual practices can influence the wider church.
Empowering young leaders was central to a care carnival organized by Danielle Montano with support from Patti Rivas. Beginning with the Good Samaritan story, the gathering used comic strips, encouraging words, games and a prayer garden to help children explore compassion. Older children led activity stations, guiding younger participants through questions and creative exercises. Rivas praised their patience and care, describing how the opportunity allowed them to demonstrate leadership. The activities also supported preparation for a Book of Compassion.
Culturally inclusive worship offered another avenue for participation. Jason Visser reported progress on music and hand motion videos featuring teenagers as leaders, along with Spanish and bilingual worship resources. He emphasized music that reflects Latino musical styles, helping children and families participate through familiar cultural expressions. A Spanish song from the project had been included in a ministry conference playlist, while additional work was underway for a bilingual Christmas production and a Día del Niño celebration.
The meeting concluded with gratitude, encouragement and plans for continued learning. Director Dean Blevins emphasized the significance of individual children’s experiences and the ways their leadership was shaping congregations. Participants discussed a future Makerspace gathering and possible learning opportunities addressing trauma and forgiveness, with plans to reconvene in January. Together, the reports offered a picture of churches helping children develop faith through relationships, prayer, creativity and tangible acts of care—and discovering how much those children have to contribute.
