Expected outcomes Focus the Texas Annual Conference on “We love all God’s children” Align ministries with Bishop Jones’ Vision Invite specialists and ministry fair participants to be a part of District Leadership Trainings Equip and empower the local church for ministry Implement a social media strategy to engage members in ongoing conversation around 3 areas (with Conference Communications)

WHAT WE LEARNED (generally) The three areas of focus are interrelated with each of the other areas with poverty present and future There is something any congregation of any size and in any community can do to address these issues in the name of Jesus Christ Congregations do not have to do this ministry alone --- there are community partners who would love to use your resources- space/people/ prayers/ financial support/ opportunity to educate church members We all have amazing resources that we may not consider as having value to our community: time/people/space

WHAT WE LEARNED ABOUT CHILDREN’S EDUCATION It’s all about relationships with children – emotional, social Directly impacts children’s health and spiritual life The church can stand in the gap Education is the key to ending poverty and stints in the criminal justice system

You can’t know a school’s needs if you are not in the schools We need to see the church as first responders Ministry with children takes the staleness out of a church Every ministry needs pray-ers, pay-ers and doers – there is a place for all to be in ministry Minister’s buy-in is critical You do not have to be an expert Ask: How can we serve you? Show up: the school will let you now what they need

Don’t throw money at the issue Love is spelled t-i-m-e Harder than foreign missions Men being involved is critical Greeting children as they get off the bus / helping in the lunch room with smaller children

Do ministry at the school not at the church if at all possible .Do ministry at the school not at the church if at all possible .Recognize the diversity in our schools and the community .Be willing to play by the school’s rules .Get to know your principals .There are more barriers with junior and senior high youth .Try peer-to-peer ministries

ACCOUNTABILITY Ask for specific needs --- NO BLANKET ASKS We need to understand issues related to various socio-economic groups (work of Ruby Payne) Empower people to believe they can make a difference Understand the difference between mentoring and tutoring Any ministry with children needs to be well-planned and well organized Start by praying for our schools

WHAT WE LEARNED ABOUT CHILDREN’S HEALTH Low income kids –foster kids – seen at Methodist? How do they get seen? Drug use higher in poverty – looking for a quick buck or way to escape current situation – need to break the cycle Human trafficking Children’s mental health is a black hole with 3-6 month waiting lists for meds

Adult learning opportunities – provide child care Need to interface with Hispanic ministries Upwards Basketball/ kid’s yoga / running club/ etc Church based health clinics Parish nurses

Be sensitive to language/cultural barriers Lack of access to healthcare – care in ERs is first line of defense too much of the time – no family doctors Obesity – ¼ children – healthy eating opportunities and access to fresh food – issue is economic and starts with the parents Need for exercise/movement East Texas is the stroke belt- get and keep children healthy Diabetes especially among children and adults of color

Understanding process of Medicaid – parent education Transportation issues/problems Education and access to HPV vaccine Sex education in church – curriculum available Children in the foster system – CASA opportunities – foster parents – resource for foster parents Cooking classes Parenting classes

A thought from our specialists: Developing curriculum around all of this is critical!

WHAT WE LEARNED ABOUT CHILDREN’S DISCIPLESHIP The holes in our society – if the church doesn’t plug, who will Open yes to different home circumstances- single parents, grandparents raising grandchildren, etc Sticky faith – research out of Fuller Seminary Faithful Modeling The expectation that children will be in worship with their parents Lack of people qualified to work with children How do we empower churches to be in ministry with children

Develop clubs –even small churches can do this ( 4-H, Scouts, etc) Rethink evangelism and discipleship Resourcing parents Rebuild relationships in the community Focus on needs not currently being met by another group Address the us vs them mentality

Address members who don’t really want children in church – internal issues – changing hearts and minds Go outside the church building Who are the nones in your community – parents maybe dones

NEXT Steps Who in your district is doing ministry with excellence in each of these areas? How can we equip and empower the church to do ministry in the areas of children’s health, education, and discipleship?