Our preschoolers in Noah's Landing are having a lot of fun each week learning about God's truth but our teachers who present the lessons are having just as much fun! During one of the past weeks they had a lot of fun of hearing how God made everything with an energetic, engaging lesson by one of our large group presenters, Jeff McSwain. If anyone can be in two places at one time, Jeff definitely can! Jeff creatively crafted the lesson for the Preschoolers wearing the costume he wore just minutes before in Promiseland. Often when you see Jeff he is in transition from one place to another at TCC. He has a true heart to serve the children at TCC of all ages. We are so thankful for Jeff and the many wonderful teachers and volunteers in our children's ministry.
Here are some thoughts that Jeff has about volunteering as he works with the children at TCC...
When I began teaching in Promiseland a few years ago, I was excited to see that God was using ordinary people just like myself to do extraordinary things in Christ. I saw in the other leaders an inspirational passion and commitment to Jesus, and I was encouraged by seeing the kids respond. Now I know firsthand what an incredible opportunity we have in Promiseland and Noah's Landing to share and live out the truth about God with our children. At first I stuck with the lessons as Large Group Leader, and the material is very excellent. I was actually challenged by the material myself!
As I internalized what I was teaching so that all of the lessons were familiar and comfortable, I realized that God has to open the hearts and minds of our children, and that great teaching is nothing without the move of God. Instead of working hard to present a lesson perfectly, I began to trust Him to do what I could not in reaching the hearts of our children, and I would pray that God would use me every time to communicate what He wanted to share that day.
Our GOD is AWESOME!!! I am amazed at the truth that God brings to us each class, often arising from the children themselves and from the other leaders. Some of the explanations that God gives us in class have been so challenging to me that I will write them down, and God has often led me to use those ideas as a basis for a deeper message to the Middle School/High School Youth at The Gathering. I consider sharing truth from God to be the greatest privilege I have, and I can't express how meaningful it is to trust Him and to see Him coming through, over and over, as He reveals His truth in my own heart and the hearts of those around me. I can truly say that by stepping up to lead, I have become a better follower, and that I have received so much more than I could ever give out. ~Jeff McSwain
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