Heart for kids, alone in ministry, does excessive stuff, needs guidance.

Q: 

I’m struggling with my church family. I’ve been in charge of our small church children’s ministry. (We are in a low income neighborhood area. It would break your heart to see such need these families have). 

It has all been all on my shoulders (with little help from church family) with dealing with the children. I pick kids up from home and make multiple runs to get them. I’ve made sure they have a meal (out of my pocket and prepared by myself), I provide lessons, crafts, and take them out for physical play. 

I am only one person. My elderly mom helps out where she can, but it normally all falls on my shoulders. I use my own personal vehicle to pick kids up. We have a monthly kids night where they have meal (provided/prepared by me) and I play games outdoor or indoors games with them.

There are some members that like to stir up trouble and I really need prayer to keep going. I want to do God’s work and spread his Word. I want to live by His example and I fall short every day. Ever feel like others want you to fail? Well that’s what I’m feeling. I pray God will guide me. I pray God knows best and I pray I continue to trust God’s will. Prayers appreciated.

A: Poor people are fine in reality. Happy with what they have. In West/US bcuz Christian influence there's govt nets and givers. You are not their food "provider" nor ymca activities "fun" provider. Your not their savior from poverty either. You arent a daycare provider or superman. 

The church needs to help in community ministry to kids or you need to cut way back to what you can handle (#of kids too). Or end it. If God is in it he will make a way. 

As far as reaching people for Christ, you dont need to feed people and run around crazy. You are doing too much excess. Simply share the gospel with them verbally and leave them in God's hands. NeedGod.com has a short good comic video. That's all you need to do; proclaim the Gospel. Then leave them in the hands of God.

They go home to eat. Church isnt a cafeteria or free food place fir taking advantage. Jesus sent people away; all they wanted was free food. If they want to come to church (after hearing the Gospel) "to learn" as a new believer, and you are able to bring them & teach them in sunday school - great. Help them memorize Scripture about God, sin, judgment, and on important verses about coming to Jesus for salvation. Have the older ones (12-18) read Scripture aloud to all. 

Ask the Pastor: 1.If the leaders sanction this ministry and will provide help ministering to the lost children. 2. How the church can help. 3. Have the church vote on it.  4. Ask for a guy who can take over the teaching at some point. 

>You can still help transport them as a ministry of service to God. 

>Also -Be aware of the liability these kids can be to opening you & the church to lawsuits. 

> have a church policy and rules on the ministry and the kids. Under leaders authority. They take action. Unruly misbehavors are expelled. 

*You are under the authority of the church leaders. If pastor cuts off the external outeach to those kids, God is guiding it and freeing you for service elsewhere in the church. Submit. 

I know what I am talking about here. Focus on the Gospel not the other stuff. I was a youth director at a smallish church, who also drove loads of kids (at our expense) to and from and all ages 5 to 18 in city areas. Most were low income (99.9% catholic) we brought to the Christian church, (*99% never became believers). I was able to take some teens to a christian event once. I pray for the kids (in early 30s now) when I think of them.  

What the kids you minister to need is the Gospel and scripture. Not fun and food. Plant seeds... and guide "those who profess". 

>Dont give assurance. Tell them "if they persevere theyre saved, if not theyre a false convert." But planting seeds can bring them to salvation later in life. So do your job as a messenger of truth and leave it with God. Like the Ethiopian who professed "and left to go walk life with Christ". 

>Dont baptize quickly. Too many kids today just want attention & freebies -not salvation. *Dont let any get baptized unless in 2 yrs time you see them clearly growing in fruit of salvation by radically transformed proof of their lives. Do not give false assurance of salvation, it will damage them in the long run (and cause them to throw Christianity away). 

Here are resources to get equipped to share the Gospel & apologetical helps. It's vital to read and study Scripture daily so focus on that and memorizing verses as you get equipped. 

For older kids (12-18) show them these 3 videos along with the Gospel video. Then call them to obey the Gospel if they want to be right with God and live their life purpose out from/by His design. 

Verses:

2 Corinthians 5:18-21 

“All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation... Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”

Isaiah 55:11

God said, "So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me [void], but it will accomplish what I desire and achieve what I send it to do"

Jude 1:23

and for others, save, snatching them out of the fire; and on others have mercy with fear, hating even the clothing polluted by the flesh

James 5:20 

Let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins

2 Thessalonians 3:1 "... brothers and sisters, pray for us that the word of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honoured..."

Proverbs 13:15: "All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes, But the LORD weighs the hearts."

1 Corinthians 1:18 

For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

Isaiah 52:7

How beautiful are the feet of those who brings good news, the good news of peace and salvation of God

Mark 16:15 

And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.

2 Tim 2:15

"Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth."

1 Peter 3:15 

"But in your hearts honor Christ as Lord, the Supreme One. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to reason for the hope that is in you; but do so with gentleness and respect."

Colossians 4:6: "Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer everyone."

Remember: 

Proverbs 15:1: "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger."

Isaiah 26:3

“You [God] will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.

God bless