Forbid Them Not

Today’s Passages – Luke 17 – 18

“But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.” – (Luke 18:16)

One of the biggest regrets that I have is that in recent days we have had to scale back our bus ministry. We have had to cut out one Sunday morning route, and also eliminate our Sunday evening Kid’s Club program. A year ago at this time we were running two buses on Sunday morning, and a “packed” bus on Wednesday evenings for Kid’s Club. Four of our best children’s workers left for Bible college, and another very dedicated worker took a job as a church secretary in North Carolina. I am thrilled that we have young adults going away to serve the Lord, but I sure do miss their energy and enthusiasm around here. I believe that any church that is doing what it should be doing will be a church committed to reaching, training, and loving children. I am excited that two of our college students will be back at Christmastime, which should enable us to get these ministries back up and running.

I believe the Lord wants us to spend a good deal of our attention and energy reaching children for the following reasons:

1 They are easier to reach. Adults are far more difficult to reach with the gospel, probably because of their pride. Children will be more open to the simple truths of the gospel: they are not so “set” in their beliefs.

2 They are easier to teach. Children have a lot less mental baggage in their heads and hearts. They retain information so much easier than we adults do. They remember so much more of what they learn.

3 They are easier to preach to. They do not get offended as adults do. Preachers have a lot more liberty preaching to children simply because they do not worry as much about offending them. As a result children are hearing the straight truth, not mixed with any sweeteners that make it more palatable.

I could say a lot more about the blessings of working with children. Suffice it to say that children are a real blessing. By the way, the best workers that we have in the church today are those that grew up here as children. They get the picture. They understand what this ministry is all about. Let’s do all that we can do to keep the children coming!

Forbid Them Not!

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Phil Erickson

Pastor Phil Erickson has been the pastor of Jersey Shore Baptist Church since January of 2002. Having grown up in Ocean County, Pastor Phil has always had a burden for the south Jersey area. After graduating from Bible College in Longview, Texas, he and his family moved to Galloway Township with the vision of digging in and serving the Lord and the people of Atlantic County. Pastor Phil and Cindy Erickson have been married since 1985. They have four children and ten grandchildren. Their oldest son, Phil Jr. and his wife Katelyn are serving the Lord in Egg Harbor Twp., NJ. Their oldest daughter, Melissa, is married to Wesley Clayton who is in the Air Force and is currently stationed in New Mexico. Samantha, their third child, is married to Justin Mears and they are both serving the Lord at the church in Galloway. Hannah, the youngest, is married to Lucas McCollum, and they are also serving here in Galloway. In preparation for ministry, the Lord led him through a variety of educational experiences that have equipped him to serve the Lord and His people. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Georgian Court University, a Bachelor of Biblical Studies in Pastoral Theology from Texas Independent Baptist Seminary (formerly Texas Baptist College), a Master of Religious Education in Bible from West Coast Baptist College, and a Master of Biblical Studies from The Crown College. More recently, he completed a Graduate Certificate in Biblical Counseling and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Veritas Baptist College. He is thankful for these opportunities to study God’s Word more deeply, and counts it a privilege to use whatever knowledge the Lord has given him for the building up of His church. In addition to pastoring, the Lord has given Phil the wonderful privilege of teaching as an adjunct professor at Vision Baptist College in Berlin, NJ and Veritas Baptist College.

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Barbie Burris says:

November 2, 2014 at 8:17 am

Wow what a blessing as I read this while getting ready to go out on van route this morning! Dr . Hyles said that the bus ministry is the greatest soul winning tool of our age . I am so blessed to a part of the bus ministry ,