"In many church services we're separated. We like [the K.I.D. ministry] because our family is together," says Obed Ferrari, father of 8-year-old Laura. His wife, Lupita, nods agreement. They are among the families at the Paradise Valley church in San Diego who are committed to actively mentoring their children spiritually through Kids in Discipleship.
K.I.D. focuses on three things. First, it asks the local congregation to support children up front by using them in public worship, ministry and mission.
Second, it helps parents themselves become disciples of Jesus during a 12-week training program. Finally, K.I.D. provides a place and time for parents to interact with their children about spiritual values using the Bible over 32 weeks. At PVC, about nine families meet Sabbath afternoons for 60 to 75 minutes, led by pastors and trained lay leaders.
The program was developed by Don MacLafferty in the Georgia-Cumberland Conference and is endorsed by the North American Division. MacLafferty's uncle, Harry Bennett, is a pastor at PVC.
MacLafferty noticed that children were routinely taught biblical doctrine, baptized and then left to themselves. "They were not being discipled," he said.
K.I.D. helps parents mentor children for eight months. It's time enough to develop the habit of daily prayer and Bible study, to identify spiritual gifts, and to learn how to bring others to Jesus. Though K.I.D. is not a baptismal class, 10 PVC young people have chosen to be baptized so far.
How do families make such a long-term time commitment? "Our children do not like to miss the group meeting on Sabbath afternoons," says Flor Williams, mother of three. "They say, ‘Mom, we have to get there!'"
K.I.D. also develops children's spiritual gifts through service. "They race from Sabbath school to the deacons' room to get their Sabbath assignments," says Peggy James, pastor's wife. At least once a month at PVC, young people lead praise time, hand out bulletins, make and send cards to shut-ins, and visit the sick.
Trimee and Ric Santos, parents of four, have joined the second K.I.D. group. Trimee highlights the value of the experience: "Our boys have been different people since we began starting the day with Jesus."
