Children’s ministry
At Southside Vineyard our children are our treasures. They are a really vital part of our church community. The revelation God has given us, is to raise our children by taking them with us on our journey, including them in what we are doing. So our children stay in with us during worship, going out to classes in the sermon time. However at key times when the Spirit of God is moving and also for all important church events we stay together as a family. Our 24/3 prayer weekends give a great example of how this ‘growing together in Jesus’ works in practice. It is during these weekends that our children learn to love prayer as we all gather together to seek the Lord. Our children so look forward to these weekends; seeing the church building transformed with artistic displays and candles by Rasela, getting to sleep Marae-style at church with their friends, and being caught up in the atmosphere of prayer and worship. At a recent 24/3 an 8 year old boy quietly gave his heart to Jesus during worship, he told his Mum later! Throughout the weekend he kept praying for his Poppa’s house to sell as it had been on the market for ages and his family needed the money. During the Saturday night worship when Robin called for people to share, this boy went up and shared into the microphone how Jesus had told him to ask everyone to pray with him. So Robin led the whole church in praying for the sale of his Poppa’s house. (Latest update: He got up at a recent Sunday morning service to testify that the house had just sold!!) On Saturday the kids were asked to choose a part of Manukau City to pray for and Rasela led them in asking Jesus what he wanted them to pray for their area. An 8 year old girl chose a local hospital; she felt Jesus wanted her to pray that all the sick people would be healed. When one of our congregation, who is a nurse at that same hospital, arrived at church the next morning and heard the story from the girls mother, she burst into tears. Her shift the previous night had been a very difficult one, so to hear that God had moved a child to pray for her hospital really touched her heart.
Kids Activities;
On Sunday mornings we have a crèche group for 2-5 years olds, a primary school group for 5-10 year olds, an intermediate group for 11-12 year olds and a group for youth.
On Saturday afternoons children have their own worship time.
The Light Party
October 31st has become a really special day for us, it’s the night of our Light Party™. The main focus is to bless our kids and the community by a free night of family fun, food and gospel. Both times we have been surprised and delighted to host over 200 kids and parents. Highlights for our kids were the candy floss machine, sponge-throw game (a brave volunteer gets pelted with wet sponges), donut-on-a-string eating competition, and the ever popular face painting. While the kids race around trying out different carnival style games, parents are able to relax and chat in a nice quiet room with coffee and cake! Planning begins soon for this year’s party!!
