Are a bunch of kids worth it?

Then little children were brought to Him that He might put His hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven." And He laid His hands on them and departed from there. – Matthew 19.13-15

Children and teens have always been a part of our ministry. We worked with kids in the churches we went to in the States. Mary and I both taught in Christian school. Our first ministry in Ireland was with teens and children.

In our own church plant for many years our biggest ministry and the one with the most ‘results’ has always been our Kids’ Klub and the Teen Time (which Jay and Holly have taken over). No matter what else has happened the Lord has always prospered those ministries.

Even today, fifteen years into our ministry, our Kids’ Klub Kamp and Colour Clash are the highlights of our year in so many ways.

At one point in our ministry I heard a second hand report about someone questioning our ministry here. The question was supposedly asked, ‘Are a bunch of kids really worth the trouble and the expense?’

Now, I don’t know for sure if the question was truly asked, but if it was I sure know the answer.

Look what happened when some children were brought to Jesus for prayer. The disciples tried to stop them. Of course Jesus didn’t have time to deal with a bunch of kids. He was a busy man; he had adults to deal with! The disciples rebuked the parents for daring to bring their children to Jesus.

But that was not what Jesus thought.

‘Let these little children come to me. Don’t stop them; for this is the kind of people who make up the kingdom of God.’

Jesus had time for these children. They were just like the kids we see everywhere we go today. Jesus thought they were well worth His time.

Are a bunch of kids really worth it?