“And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:11-13, NASB)

Paul shows us that church leaders are called to equip the saints for ministry (Ephesians 4:11-13).

This passage of Scripture shows us that all believers (saints) are called to minister, not just a few leaders.^[i]

It clarifies that leaders are not to do all the work but to equip believers for the work, for ministry in the body.

This calling includes children and students.

As their leaders, we train children to minister in the body of Christ.^[ii]

The saints, including children, are called to serve and minister alongside us.

“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood” (1 Peter 2:9).

In my early children's ministry years, I looked at children as the future Church—the FUTURE!

But when I saw how God gifted them, it totally changed my view.

Anders suggests, “Spiritual gifts are at the heart of Christ’s strategy for building his church. The gifts are ministers (or ministries) for the church.”^[iii]

Building up the body of Christ “defines the nature of the work of ministry” and perfection comes through the process of building.^[iv]

Children and students can and should be considered a part of the Church today because they have God's seal of approval on them (Ephesians 1:13-14)—the Spirit of the living God.

“To them, God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27).

Christ made His residence in their hearts, just like all believers.^[v]

Remember, it is not a “baby” Jesus, but Jesus Christ Himself.

“God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, ‘Abba, Father!’ 

Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ” (Galatians 4:6-7).

They receive the whole package at the point of salvation; they are sealed, filled, gifted, and empowered for ministry and missions.

Pressley had been a Christian for about three years when her children’s pastor allowed children to serve and minister at her church.

During this time, they gave opportunities for children to teach during children’s church.

She would practice and prepare at home and teach on Sunday. It did not take long for her to discover that it was one of her spiritual gifts.

As her children’s ministers saw this, they began to give her even more teaching responsibilities.

I observed her creativity one day as she was teaching 5-year-olds at church.

Her originality amazed me, knowing that she was only 11 years old.

She taught like an adult.

She listened to God’s leadership as she prepared her lesson.

It was a blessing to observe Him speaking through her.

That summer during a preteen mission trip, she was asked to teach during an evangelistic event on the trip.

Her leaders were working with her as she practiced her message.

We could tell that she was very nervous and almost hyperventilating.

We encouraged her to relax, be herself, pray, and let the Lord speak through her.

When she walked onto the platform that evening, there was a new bold confidence in her eyes.

Pressley began her message, and it flowed beautifully.

She preached the Gospel that evening, and many children trusted Christ as a result.

I was utterly astonished by her, and I have not seen a more straightforward message given by an 11-year-old than Pressley’s.

I no longer question whether a child has spiritual gifts—they do!

We only have to help them discover their gifts and then equip and release them in ministry.

Here is a part of Pressley's message that evening. You will be amazed by her gift of teaching.

I am suggesting that our children’s and students' success in the body of Christ is of the utmost importance.

Our mandate is the Great Commission, and they are to be included as co-equals in His commission.

Because they have God’s seal of approval on them, they are children of the King of kings and Lord of lords.

God can use any vessel that is available to Him.

What would churches be like if children’s and students’ success were made top priority?

Not to give them a beautiful facility, but to give them opportunities to serve using their gifts.

I cannot recommend more highly that this be every church’s highest priority.

What if the goal was to provide a platform for every child and student to minister?

An opportunity for them to use their spiritual gifts for the glory of the Lord?

The outcome would be quite amazing.

Not only would they be invested in ministry at an early age, but they would stick around to continue doing so.

Also, there would be no more leadership voids.

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^[i] H. W. Hoehner, Ephesians. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.). The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, Vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 635.

^[ii] Wiersbe, Vol. 2, 38.

^[iii] M. Anders, Galatians-Colossians, Vol. 8 (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1999), 152.

^[iv] M. R. Vincent, Word studies in the New Testament, Vol. 3 (New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1887), 390.

^[v] R. R. Melick, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1991), 242.