Events that you can take your children along to

Identity – Kent

This final stop on the Roadshow Tour saw loads of children pack into Tonbridge for a time of investigating who they are and what it means to have their identity in Jesus.  Using the film of ‘High School Musical’ the children were able to appreciate that God has all made us different for a purpose – and He wants us to work together to help one another to follow Him and make Him known! 

The event saw lots of dance and sing-alongs (pretty impressive – maybe we could star in ‘High School Musical 3’?); basketball skills, interactive DVD clips and also a time for some art and craft.  By the time we had finished the venue resembled a stylish looking gym – a place where we are sure the ‘Wildcats’ would certainly like to shoot some hoops!  A great time was definitely had by all in the gym as we worked out and discovered more about Jesus!

Following its successful debut last year, Club L:edge returned for another exciting time of finding out more about Jesus and what it means to have Him in our lives.  Around 250 children ranging form the ages of 0-11 formed the Club L:edge family this year, meeting daily in their groups (0-2.5; 2.5-5, school years 1-3 and school years 4-6).  We also had two ‘Praise Parties’ this year where all of the children along with their families and friends were able to get together to praise our awesome God and to celebrate the amazing things that He has and is doing.

Together they participated in an action-packed ‘X-Facta’ programme looking at the same theme of the adults and youth of ‘Going Beyond Our Limits’.  It was great to see children come to faith during the week and to also see children who are already Christians make commitments to trust in God more and to go back to their schools and communities to share Him with others. 

This week also saw two children share at the adult’s celebration about what God is doing in their lives and the difference that He has made.  It was amazing to see how God spoke through them and that very evening two over 30s became Christians – challenged by what they had heard!  This really was amazing as we saw first hand God taking people beyond their limits and using them to do incredible things – making a real difference to people’s lives!

Set in the beautiful surroundings of Devon, Region Six camp saw around 80 people get together for an energetic and enjoyable week of discovering more about what it means to have the ‘X-Facta’.  No, do not fear, we are not talking about what it means to be a good singer (although we would be happy to advise tee hee), but instead, what it means to have the power of God at work in our lives – looking together and the difference that He has, is and indeed will make! 

The week saw a variety of activities, from film making to food eating and survival to swimming.  We even had visits from the entertaining Louis Walsh, Sharon Osborne and yes even Simon Cowell (disclaimer: we can not vouch for whether or not they were who they claimed to be . . . !)  Lots of good memories were taken away by everyone, including the fact that: ‘With God’s power at work in us, we can do far more than we dare ask or imagine’ (Ephesians 3:20!).

Upminster saw over 350 children descend upon it for a fun-packed multi-activity day that is ‘Junior Solid’.  The day which is designed for all those in school years 3-6 was focused around ‘Physical Output: Spiritual Input’.  During the day the children participated in a range of fun activities from mountain boarding to high ropes courses and climbing challenges – great to watch and of course to join in with too!  Other activities included: ‘It’s A Knockout’, trampolines, sports, playstation, arts and crafts . . . and loads more!!

The day finished with the special ‘Junior Solid Roadshow’ where together we discovered more about what it means to follow Jesus and how we can support one another in this – thanks to the help of ‘Horse and Donkey’ the crazy scientific sidekicks (as featured on ALF2) and the Roadshow Team!

A great day was had by all – and it was brilliant to see Children discovering Jesus for themselves!

Plenty of fun was had in mud at Firm Foundations this year and the children were glad to be there in their wellies diving in to find out more about God and His love for them!

This year saw Arise launch an exciting, new and exclusive club for 5-12s at the event called ‘The Base’.  Here the children and the team had lots of fun together as they explored the theme of ‘Connect 2’ and what it means to ‘Connect with God: Connect with People’.  We had a brilliant time investigating God’s love for us, our love for Him and how this can be shared with others.  Through adventurous activity, crazy cookery and great games a memorable time was had by all – as we discovered the importance of not only loving God, but also sharing this love with those around us.

Blackpool – a place renowned for BIG beaches, rides and entertainment – was the home of something even BIGGER this Easter!!  April 10th – 15th saw over 8,000 people congregating in this sunny place for ‘Easter People’ and for sure, it was an event to remember!!

The Arise team had the privilege of leading the children’s work for around 250 5-10s in the morning and 150 7-10s in the evening.  The morning programme saw us become ‘Lost Property N:vestigators’ and through challenges, craft and some crazy sketches we searched deep into the parables that Jesus told in Luke 15, so as to discover the amazing truth about God’s awesome Grace.

In the evenings we became a part of the real ‘X-Facta’ – as we participated in the search for people who could go ‘from the ordinary to the extraordinary’!!  We had great fun as we found out more about the amazing things that God has, is and will do through people’s lives!  

It was great how all of the children were so enthusiastic and passionate about finding out more about Jesus and following Him.  They and the team were a real blessing to the event.  It was a week that you could really sense God at work in the lives of all present; may their love for God continue to grow!