2. 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)

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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?