Expect & Make Room: A Vision for NextGen Ministry

I have the pleasure and honor of serving as the Children’s Pastor at LifePointe Church in Eustis, FL. Together with my team, we firmly believe that God desires to do immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine—not only in the lives of adults at our church, but also in the hearts of children and families. As ministry leaders, we have a front-row seat to some of the most spiritually significant moments in a person’s life. Our vision for children’s and family ministry is centered on one powerful idea:

Expect and Make Room.

What does that mean?

It means we expect God to move in mighty ways—bringing children to faith, healing families, and raising up young disciples. But expectation alone isn’t enough. We must make room—in our schedules, in our personal lives, in our classrooms, and in our hearts.

As we live out this vision together, here are three core commitments for every children’s ministry leader and volunteer:

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1. Be Real

“We lead out of the overflow of our personal time with God.”

We can’t lead on empty. Kids don’t need perfect leaders—they need real ones. Leaders who are walking with Jesus in daily rhythms of prayer, Scripture, and surrender.

“Enlarge the site of your tent… do not hold back.” —Isaiah 54:2
“Now to him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think…” —Ephesians 3:20–21

Real leadership is rooted in relationship—not just with kids, but with Christ. When we make room for God in our own lives, we’re positioned to pour into others.

Try this:
Write down one way you’ll deepen your personal relationship with God this week. Maybe it’s starting a devotional, journaling, or committing to prayer during your commute.

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2. Be Prepared

“We prepare to teach and share the gospel, trusting God to use our preparation.”

God honors intentional preparation. When we study lessons, pray over kids by name, and get ready to explain the gospel clearly, we position ourselves for spiritual impact.

Your preparation isn’t wasted—it’s how you make room for the Holy Spirit to work through you.

Practical Steps:

• Read your curriculum early. Mark it up. Own it.
• Role-play gospel conversations with others.
• Answer hard questions with clarity and grace.

A new discipleship tool: “Discovering God’s Word,” an in depth Bible Study experience for kids at their level. It’s designed to equip children to know Scripture deeply—and parents can be the ones guiding them through it at home.

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3. Be a Catalyst of the Gospel

“We can be the spark that ignites faith in a child’s heart—and in their whole family.”

Don’t underestimate your role. One moment of connection, one story shared, one prayer spoken—it can change a life forever.

Children’s Ministry leaders are not babysitters. We build the Kingdom of Heaven with little hearts.

Every One Matters.
Every Child Matters.
Every Volunteer Matters.

This year, I personally am asking God for BIG things in my ministry:

• 1,000 people to attend VBS (actual 883)
• 200 kids on Easter Sunday (actual 188)
• 150 kids each Sunday
• 80 kids on Wednesday nights
• 50 decisions for salvation and baptism (at the time of writing – salvations 28 and 8 baptisms)
• 20 new families connected and serving (currently 22 new families)
• Every child entering 6th grade with a personal relationship with Jesus

These aren’t numbers. These are souls, and each one has a name, a story, and a future God is shaping—and He’s using YOU and I to do it.

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Closing Challenge: Live It Out

So what does it look like to Expect and Make Room in your ministry?

• Be Real: Let your leadership overflow from your relationship with Christ.
• Be Prepared: Take your role seriously and trust God to multiply your efforts.
• Be a Catalyst: Walk in boldness, expecting God to move in every moment with every child.

God is writing a beautiful story through kids and families in our churches. He’s calling us to stretch our tents, deepen our roots, and believe for more.

“Expect great things from God. Attempt great things for God.” – William Carey

Let’s not miss what God wants to do because we were too afraid to expect it or too busy to make room for it.

Let’s be the generation that believes for more—because the next generation is watching.