VALDOSTA —
When Southland Church’s new children’s pastors left Alabama to minister here in May, they brought two trailers of costumes, including more than 350 puppets.
Members of the church, led by children’s pastor David Hewett and wife Teresa, worked tirelessly transforming their children’s church sanctuary into a castle, complete with king, queen, jester, knight and fair maiden costumes and puppets.
“The Kingdom of Gloryland is a place where kids can learn God’s word in a fun, creative and age-appropriate way,” Pastor David said.
The Kingdom Kidz are taught about Christ through a wide variety of teaching tools including clowning, drama, puppets, biblical character skits, full-body costume characters, and illustrated sermons. The Hewetts said all the drama, songs and games revolve around the theme of the sermon of the children’s pastor, with the purpose of adding more children to God’s kingdom.
That success was evident last Sunday when the newly renovated children’s church sanctuary was unveiled: Eight children, including the nephew of Southland Pastor Dell Young, gave their lives to follow Jesus.
“I was so blessed to hear that eight children received Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior,” Young said. “My (6-year-old) nephew Caleb (Gonzales) told me he prayed to accept Jesus. This is what Kingdom Kidz Ministry is about, leading children into an opportunity to encounter the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Caleb Gonzales’ mother, Jeanne Miller of Adel, said, “I was praying that when Pastor David came, it would encourage Caleb to get involved in his class and be the leader I believe God is calling him to be. Sunday jump-started that for him, and I couldn’t be happier about his decision to accept Christ as his Savior.”
The Hewetts said they believe in teaching and training children with the goal of being leaders now rather than a future generation of leaders. Children participate in the services taking up offering, praying, and helping to lead the praise and worship.
“Some kids will learn how to do sound and media,” Pastor Hewett said.
“They’ll learn how to do the puppets and dramas and minister to the younger children,” added Teresa.
While Castle Rock is for first through sixth grade, there’s also Junior Castle Rock for 4-year-olds through kindergarten, Little Castle Rock for 2-3 years old, Wee Castle Rock for 12-24 months old; and Babes of Castle Rock for 0 to 12 months old.
The classes meet at 10:30 a.m. each Sunday at the church’s 2206 E. Hill Ave. location.
The “God-centered, power-packed” services that excite and encourage children to come to their full potential in Christ have an added bonus.
“If you reach the children, guess who comes with them,” Pastor David said of the parents.
Hewett, a native of Adel, and wife Teresa, who has a master’s in early childhood education from Valdosta State University, have been in the children’s ministry together since they married 18 years ago.
Through trial and error, Pastor David has perfected his craft over 30 years, learning what reaches children.
“I listen to what parents say about what works,” he said. “Puppets work and music does.”
Popular contemporary songs, which connect with the kids, are used. For example, “Sweet Home, Alabama” is parodied into “Sweet Home up in Heaven.”
“We try to reach every kid, whatever kind of learner they are,” he said.
Accommodating children’s short attention spans, Pastor David keeps the kids on their toes, anticipating what he will do next.
“It was a joy to see each face and feel the anticipation from everyone,” said Ron and Wendy Butler, parents of Rachel. “The reveal was like starting a great story and the next chapter couldn’t come any sooner.”
“I was surprised,” 8-year-old Rachel Butler said. “Children’s church was different. It was awesome.”
Features
Related Photos
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David and Teresa Hewett with some of the puppets they use in their children’s ministry at Southland Church. Paul Leavy
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Children's Pastor David Hewett preaches while Pastor Jan Powell prays with a student. Submitted photo
Discussion
Castle Rock: Southland Church’s newly renovated children’s sanctuary revealed
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