After snow in April, or even snow in June in the passes, it looks like Mr. Summer might just be here to stay… if by “stay” you mean visit for 75 days before retreating to a dryer climate. One thing is for sure, even if spring rain chooses to stick around Seattle a little longer, school is out! As we move into the summer of day camps and summer events schedules, I’d like to challenge those with little ones to consider this summer a unique opportunity to show your children the importance of intentionally pursuing the people God has placed in our lives who do not know Jesus. Though children can absolutely learn about reaching out to non-Christians through watching their parents reach out to their friends and neighbors, summer is an awesome time to encourage children to practice missional living with neighborhood children as well as their friends from school. In fact, many parents are actively seeking summer activities for their children.

Mars Hill Church and the West Seattle community have a lot of great activities for children this summer, all of which are opportunities for children to invite school friends and neighbor kids to come with them. Programs like the Vacation Bible School (pending improvement in church-wide giving, we will be holding a VBS July 28 – Aug 1 at E.C. Hughes Park) are traditional places children invite their non-Christian friends and they are great places for children to meet Jesus for the first time, but remember to think outside that box and help your kids learn the importance of developing genuine relationships and really striving to love others (Matt. 12:31). Community events offer Christians a unique opportunity to invite those with whom they are building relationships to something that does not have an inherent “string” attached in their eyes. Is there a family in your neighborhood who has declined invitations to attend MHC or an event there? Try inviting that family to Annual Admiral 4th of July Parade or another event that you can all just hang out and visit. I think it is important that children see in our actions that we really believe Jesus when he said that loving our neighbor is the second most important thing besides loving God.

Are you interested in being involved in reaching the children of West Seattle for Jesus? Mars Hill West Seattle Children’s Ministry has an exciting summer planned, including VBS in July, a bicycle rodeo in August, and the Launching of Caraway Street program in late Aug. to early Sept. We have a very few volunteers so far to facilitate these plans! Please consider helping us by giving of your time and talents this summer…your decision to respond to the promptings of the Holy Spirit to give sacrificially could mean that some child and, Lord willing, his entire family meeting Jesus THIS summer! E-mail westseattlekids@marshillchurch.org NOW and we will get back to you about how you can help.