3 minute read
Engaging young people’s faith in 2022
We know Spring Harvest this April will be full of unforgettable moments for the whole family as we worship, learn, and encounter God together! We spoke to Sarah Covington, our 5-7s Programme Leader for Whizz Kids at Skegness about what makes our kids programme so special.
SPRING HARVEST 2022 IS AN EXCITING OPPORTUNITY TO WITNESS CHILDREN DISCOVER AND RE-ENGAGE WITH THEIR FAITH IN PERSON. WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES AND HOW WILL THE KIDS TEAMS HELP TO OVERCOME THEM?
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Everything has been very restricted over the last couple of years, and many are finding it almost as hard to readjust to things opening again as they did to them closing down. I think this is as true for children as it is for adults.
When it comes to faith engagement, that has mainly happened at home with family. I think coming together in large groups and engaging with faith alongside so many others may feel a bit overwhelming. The teams are aware of this, and the programmes will involve ways to support them. There will be plenty of opportunities woven throughout the spiritual programme, for the children to have fun and socialise together. WHAT MAKES OUR KIDS PROGRAMME AT SPRING HARVEST SPECIAL?
They are always special because the opportunity to come together with so many other Christians is such a significant and valuable part of the journey for many children in their faith.
I have the privilege of leading one of the teams, and every year I am so thankful for the fantastic teams of volunteers who join us. The way in which they build relationships with the children in just a few days, for the fun they bring and all the ways they help the children to encounter God.
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT THAT YOUNG PEOPLE MEET TO WORSHIP AND LEARN?
Learning together is key for our faith, it helps to shape and develop us. Hearing about people’s experiences of God, and sharing opinions, can be a great way for God to speak to us, however old or young we are! It is so important for children to meet with others and to have those shared experiences.
HOW WILL THE KIDS PROGRAMME BE EXPLORING OUR EVENT THEME, ‘RESTORE, RENEW, REBUILD’?
The ‘Restore, Renew, Rebuild’ theme is so appropriate for the time we find ourselves in. We will use the stories of Nehemiah to help us think about what that means in the children’s lives and of their families, friends, churches, and wider communities. There will be a mix of creative storytelling, crafts and games, time for prayer and a puppet or two to help us explore the themes and how we can apply them.
WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVOURITE STORIES DURING YOUR TIME SERVING AT SPRING HARVEST?
sticks in my mind is that of a child who, at one of the programmes, felt that they had been called by God to go on a mission trip; to find a place where they could serve Him overseas. They were incredibly determined to follow it through and, supported by their family, found a mission that gave them the opportunity to serve. Now that child is a young adult who has supported that mission in various ways and is looking to a longer-term future of working with them.
WHY IS 2022 GOING TO BE A YEAR TO REMEMBER FOR OUR KIDS AT SPRING HARVEST, AND WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO PARENTS/ CARERS WHOSE YOUNG PEOPLE WILL BE JOINING US?
After two years of not being able to be together, 2022 will be incredibly special and we’re really looking forward to you joining us! Every year, there is excitement at gathering, at what God is going to do, and that is going to be so much greater this year. We are praying that the children’s programmes will be a real blessing for you by giving you the opportunity to attend your own sessions and that the event as a whole will provide plenty of opportunity for family, faith and fun!
