Scripture Union and the School of KidsMin
Covid innovations lead to global growth
when covid hit, Scripture Union Canada had tough decisions to make. Its mandate is to connect Canadians with Jesus and His story, and one of its prime ministry outreach programs is sports camp. With summer camps cancelled, Scripture Union president Lawson Murray began brainstorming and praying with his team about how they could continue to reach children. Shortly after, the School of KidsMin (www.SchoolOfKidsMin.com) was born.
The virtual learning hub is a collection of free online training videos that aim to equip, encourage and engage people in children’s ministry. Directed at churches, parents and families, the videos cover four main areas – family, theology, methodology/practice, and sports ministry. Key ministry themes are tackled in formats ranging from two to five to 17 minutes, as well as a popular 60-second format that answers children’s tough questions.
As the positive response to the videos grew around the world, the team realized the School of KidsMin was here to stay.
“By starting and sustaining the School of KidsMin as a hub for children’s ministry training, we’re able to reach many more people than we could have done in person. For every adult we train, they have the ability to reach 100 to 150 children, and as each adult grows confident and competent because of the training, it multiplies the reach of the gospel with children. And that’s what we’re after with this training,” Murray explains.
Scripture Union returned to in-person sports camps this summer, while also producing new training videos.
“Eighty-three per cent of children and youth in Canada have no connection at all with the Church,” says Murray. “Children and family ministry has to become the most prioritized thing in the Church.
“Training is vitally important for the redemption of a generation that’s disconnected from Jesus. This is a piece we can bring that, Lord willing, will draw children to Jesus.”