Anyone who has tried it, even for a day, knows that children\u2019s ministry is challenging. Pastors Deepak Reju and Marty Machowski have been in your shoes and they want to help. Drawing on decades of family ministry experience, they have a passion to help children\u2019s ministry directors, pastors, and volunteers remember the \u201cwhy\u201d of children\u2019s ministry and gain a fresh vision for the \u201chow\u201d of effective discipleship and proactive nurturing of the next generation.<\/p>\n
As you recruit volunteers, organize materials, set up safety policies, and manage the many needs that come your way, you may feel overwhelmed, discouraged, and wonder if your ministry is even effective. Reju and Machowski have a passion to help those involved in children\u2019s ministry remember that it’s more than just providing safe childcare so that parents can attend worship services; it\u2019s about raising up faithful believers who love the Lord, stand firm in the gospel, treasure Scripture, and have a heart for others. These goals can only be met if the whole church is committed to prioritizing time and energy into disciple-making and sets proactive policies for children\u2019s safety.<\/p>\n
Readers will learn about highlighting Bible-based content, recruiting church members, planning for emergencies, and partnering with parents. Build On Jesus equips ministry leaders with the right priorities, people, and practicalities needed for fruitful nurturing and care of the youngest disciples in the church.<\/p>\n
This is what people are saying about Build on Jesus<\/b><\/p>\n
\u201cAs individuals and as the church, we must invest our energy into raising, shaping, and preparing our children for a life of service to God and humanity. Whether you\u2019re a children\u2019s ministry veteran or a newbie, a senior pastor or a concerned parent, this book is filled with practical insights for improving the way we shepherd the next generation.\u201d \u201cBuild on Jesus<\/em>\u00a0is simply superb. It needs to be read by every church leader who shepherds the people of God. In this book, Pastors Reju and Machowski properly position the vital importance of children\u2019s ministry in the local church. It is not to be viewed as something secondary and nonessential\u2014it is to be at the very heart of the Bible teaching and discipleship ministries of the church. I wish a book like this have been written decades ago. Thankfully, it has arrived!\u201d \u201cThe title and subtitle this book say it all and say it well. I\u2019ve never seen a more thorough, helpful, insightful, practical, and Christ-centered book on children\u2019s ministry. Whether you are just beginning a children\u2019s ministry or looking to improve an existing one, whether your church is large or small, whether you are a pastor or a layperson, whether you have a paid staff member overseeing the children\u2019s ministry or staff it with volunteers only, whether you have many people in your church ministering to children or only a few\u2014this book is for you. I cannot imagine any church or any children\u2019s worker who wouldn\u2019t find this book immensely useful.\u201d \u201cEvery church wants an effective children\u2019s ministry, but implementing one is easier said than done.\u00a0It\u2019s certainly not for the faint of heart. In\u00a0Build on Jesus<\/em>, Deepak Reju and Marty Machowski distill decades of experience into a practical guide for building a culture marked by excellence and molded by gospel grace. As a new pastor, I am immensely grateful for this resource and will be handing it to every children\u2019s ministry leader at our church.\u201d \u201cIn a post-Christian environment, we must not be casual about evangelizing and discipling the next generation. The need is urgent.\u00a0I assure you the enemy is not casual in his intent to wound and destroy our children. This book is already helping me refocus and reprioritize how we love and lead the precious children in our church to a rich, vibrant faith in Jesus.\u201d \u201cDeepak and Marty\u2019s\u00a0Build on Jesus\u00a0<\/em>is a great\u00a0foundational resource for building a Christ-centered children\u2019s ministry. Theologically astute and sensible, this book is a great summary of what children\u2019s ministry should be all about. Applying these principles will help your children grow in Christian discipleship in a safe environment. The appendices are extremely helpful in developing a child protection policy that will ensure that your church is equipped to care for the most vulnerable in your congregation: your children.\u201d \u201cDeepak and Marty share a message that resonates deeply, one that the church needs to hear more than ever: children matter and so does children\u2019s ministry.\u00a0Build on Jesus<\/em>\u00a0is weighty yet accessible, comprehensive yet succinct. From the purpose of children\u2019s ministry, to leadership roles, to ways to teach and protect children, this book provides ideal help for those new to ministry and is a valuable refresher for those who are seasoned.\u201d \u201cWhen I was a children\u2019s and family pastor, I benefited greatly from Marty and Deepak\u2019s biblical resources, and I highly recommend\u00a0Build on Jesus<\/em>. This isn\u2019t one of those pragmatic, entertainment-driven, or church-growth kinds of books. It\u2019s a doctrinally strong, biblically-based, gospel-centered guide by two experienced shepherds that is well worth your time. If you are involved in children\u2019s ministry, then you need to buy this book. Better yet, buy three copies and give one to your team and senior pastor. You will be glad you did!\u201d \u201cWritten by two seasoned family pastors,\u00a0Build on Jesus<\/em>\u00a0is a perceptive portrayal of the blessings and challenges of ministry to children. Their book is engaging and replete with wise counsel gleaned from real life situations. This much-needed book will help children\u2019s ministry leaders set priorities, care for the people in children\u2019s ministry, and find practical guidance.\u201d \u201cBuild on Jesus\u00a0<\/em>has a biblical foundation and includes ready-to-implement counsel for ministries and classrooms. But the strength of this book is Marty and Deepak\u2019s conviction that God uses people\u2014pastors, the children\u2019s minister, church members, and parents\u2014to proclaim his glory to the\u00a0next generation. This focus is why I\u2019ll be reading\u00a0Build on Jesus\u00a0<\/em>with children\u2019s ministry leaders for many years.\u201d \u201cWhat a great handbook for children\u2019s ministry!\u00a0Build on Jesus<\/em>\u00a0is practical, spiritual, and an easy read. The authors give clear guidance for creating a ministry that is effective, sensible, safe, and fun. This book will be a great resource to those new to children\u2019s ministry and a great checkup for veteran children\u2019s ministers.\u201d <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Anyone who has tried it, even for a day, knows that children\u2019s ministry is challenging. Pastors Deepak Reju and Marty Machowski have been in your shoes and they want to help. Drawing on decades of family ministry experience, they have a passion to help children\u2019s ministry directors, pastors, and volunteers remember the \u201cwhy\u201d of children\u2019s […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":1427,"parent":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","book-authors":[35],"book-series":[],"book-tags":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"yoast_head":"\n
\nJim Daly<\/strong>, President, Focus on the Family<\/p>\n
\nDaniel L. Akin,\u00a0<\/strong>President, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary<\/p>\n
\nDonald S. Whitney,<\/strong>\u00a0Professor of Biblical Spirituality and Associate Dean, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, KY; author of\u00a0Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life<\/em>,\u00a0Praying the Bible<\/em>,and\u00a0Family Worship\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n
\nMatt Smethurst,<\/strong>\u00a0Managing Editor, The Gospel Coalition;\u00a0planting\u00a0pastor, River City Baptist Church, Richmond, VA; author of\u00a0Deacons<\/em>\u00a0and\u00a0Before You Open Your Bible<\/em><\/p>\n
\nBob Lepine,<\/strong>\u00a0Teaching Pastor, Redeemer Community Church, Little Rock; cohost of\u00a0FamilyLife Today<\/em><\/p>\n
\nJeff Dalrymple,<\/strong>\u00a0Executive Director, Evangelical Council for Abuse Prevention<\/p>\n
\nBrian Dembowczyk,<\/strong>\u00a0Managing Editor of\u00a0The Gospel Project<\/em>; author of\u00a0Cornerstones: 200 Questions and Answers to Learn Truth<\/em>\u00a0and\u00a0Gospel-Centered Kids Ministry<\/em><\/p>\n
\nJosh Mulvihill,<\/strong>\u00a0Author of\u00a050 Things Every Child Needs to Know Before Leaving Home<\/em><\/p>\n
\nDavid and Sally Michael,<\/strong>\u00a0Cofounders of Truth78<\/p>\n
\nJared Kennedy,<\/strong>\u00a0Managing Editor of\u00a0Gospel-Centered\u00a0Family<\/em>; author of\u00a0The Beginner\u2019s Gospel Story Bible\u00a0<\/em>and\u00a0Keeping\u00a0Your Children\u2019s Ministry on Mission<\/em>.<\/p>\n
\nAnnette Safstrom,<\/strong>\u00a0Coauthor of\u00a0Sustainable Children\u2019s Ministry<\/em>; senior consultant, Ministry Architects<\/p>\n