“Once the importance of service is engrained in the fiber of your being, it is nearly impossible to get out. Whenever I joined the student ministry at my church, it was natural to serve in whatever capacity was available. Because I was given the opportunity to serve through L.I.T. at a young age, I was prepared to serve in different positions as I advanced throughout my time within the student ministry and now into college ministry. I have been serving in the church since I was in 5^th grade, nearly 10 years ago I started as an usher.” —Joel Hayworth (College Junior), Ozark, Missouri (To read Joel’s full story, click here.)

We want to invite you to join us on the journey of L.I.T. In the past 14 years, we have witnessed the power of the Gospel in the lives of children and students. You might ask what is different about L.I.T. Ministries. L.I.T. is not a program but a process by which to reach children with the Gospel of Christ and to disciple, equip, and release them in ministry.

One of the greatest joys I have in ministry today is my leaders—my children leaders. Not adults, but the children of my church. Don’t get me wrong; I love the adult leaders. You see, I have had children serving in my church for more than eleven years. It didn’t start out that way for me, though. I began having children serve out of need. We would fill necessary holes in our ministry with children who could do it. Well, what I didn’t realize was that as I watched them and gave them greater and greater responsibility, they stepped up every time. You may not know it, but each of us in ministry has a calling to equip the saints for works of ministry and not do all of the work ourselves (Ephesians 4:11-13). What saints, you might ask? All of the saints, or believers in Christ. That includes kids! Well, I have done it, and it works. Children are some of the most solid leaders we have in our church. Here are a few steps I took to challenge children and grow their faith: