August was designated Children and Youth Month at Shiloh Seventh-day Adventist Church in Little Rock, Ark., under the theme “What About the Children?” Throughout the month, the church placed special emphasis on the spiritual growth, development, and involvement of its children and youth.
As part of the celebration, Patricia Goffe, Children’s Ministries director for the Southeastern Conference, was invited to share her ministry with the Shiloh church family. Her visit provided a meaningful weekend filled with prayer, teaching, fellowship, and opportunities for children and adults to grow spiritually together.
The weekend began Friday afternoon with a book signing, where Goffe shared several of her published works. Special emphasis was placed on her book, Prayer Board, which would become the foundation for the weekend’s spiritual activities.
Sabbath morning began with a combined Sabbath School, bringing children and adults together for an interactive lesson centered on prayer. Goffe divided participants into four groups and invited them to rotate through four prayer stations: confession, gratitude, dedication, and supplication. At each station, participants were encouraged to think more deeply about what it means to communicate with God and to develop a meaningful prayer life. One of the most memorable reminders from the Sabbath School experience was that, in a great big world filled with billions of people, God still knows our individual voices. When we pray, God hears us.
Following Sabbath School, the congregation transitioned into the worship service, where Goffe delivered a message titled “A Life That Brings Glory to God.” Her message served as a continuation of the morning’s Sabbath School experience and took the congregation on a journey through the pages of God’s Word.
Through the lives of ordinary people, we discovered extraordinary spiritual lessons. A shepherd boy named David taught us about gratitude. The prophet Isaiah taught us what it means to dedicate our lives to God. David, later in his life, showed us the importance of confession and coming before God with a repentant heart. And Hannah, a praying mother who poured out her heart before the Lord, taught us the power of supplication. While each biblical character offered an important lesson, Goffe reminded us that ultimately, every lesson leads us to Jesus. Without Jesus, gratitude has no Savior to thank. Without Jesus, dedication has no King to follow. Without Jesus, confession has no forgiveness. Without Jesus, supplication has no throne of grace to approach. Jesus is at the center of it all, and He is still calling children, youth, and adults to follow Him.
The weekend concluded with families creating their own prayer boards to take home—a tangible reminder to make prayer an intentional part of everyday family life. The Children and Youth Month experience reminded the Shiloh church family that children should not simply be viewed as the church of tomorrow. They are an important part of the church today. When we intentionally teach them, listen to them, pray with them, include them, and point them toward Jesus, we help establish a spiritual foundation that can last a lifetime.
As we continue to ask the question “What About the Children?” may our answer be demonstrated through our commitment to lead them to Christ, nurture their gifts, strengthen their faith, and give them opportunities to actively participate in the life and ministry of the church.
