About that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?”
Jesus called a little child to Him and put the child among them. Then He said, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. And anyone who welcomes a little child like this on My behalf is welcoming Me.”
Matthew 18:1-5, NLT.
When I was six years old, I walked into a little church in Santa Clarita, CA on a Wednesday night with no idea that my entire life was about to change forever. It was around December, and my leader, Mrs. Newman, turned off all the lights and lit a candle. She held up that candle and told us how Jesus had been born on the very first Christmas night so, so long ago. Jesus was God, and He had become a human being. Jesus grew up, died on a cross for our sin, and came back to life three days later, and now anyone who wanted to follow Him could — all they had to do was ask. And then Jesus would forgive their sin, free them from eternal death, and adopt them into His family.
So as a little first grader, I bowed my head quietly and prayed a simple prayer: “Jesus, please come into my heart.”
That night, I went home and told my parents about the decision I had made. They were so excited and prayed with me and talked with me late into the evening.
I had been through those church doors many times. I had played on that church playground. And I had sat with those leaders who welcomed me with the love of Jesus. Today, I am a Pastor to Kids because throughout all those years of Kids Church and Sunday School and Wednesday Nights, followers of Jesus welcomed me, shared God’s love with me, and told me about Jesus.
Who are you in your church for?
Seriously, who are you there for?
When you step into that breakout room, when you share a snack in the Name of Jesus with a child, when you welcome a family through your church doors for the first or fortieth time, when you wipe a snotty nose or help a kid piece together a Noah’s Ark craft, when you read a story from Scripture to those kids — you are part of a Welcoming Committee Jesus has called to stand in His place to say, “Welcome! You are loved here — by us, by Jesus!”
You are there for that kid who will one day decide to follow Jesus for herself.
You are there for that kid who becomes a dad and changes his family narrative by being the dad who stays.
You are there for that kid who will one day become a woman working in an office who shares Jesus with a co-worker.
You are there for that kid who might take a journey that leads them down a darker road, but in that moment of despair, remembers something you shared with them so long ago in that Sunday School room.
You are there for that kid who will one day face pain they never thought they’d have to face, but in those moments remembers the God who promised He’d never leave.
You are there for that kid who faces pain today and needs to know if Jesus really is who He says He is.
You are there for that kid.
Be there for that kid.
Even when you don’t know if you’re making a difference. Even when you don’t feel like it’s going well. Even when you don’t want to show up one more time.
There’s a kid who needs you to welcome them in the Name of Jesus.
Be there for that kid.