Theme for 2007: Marching with the Master

Being a soldier isn’t easy! Yet as christians we are called to serve the Lord with love and obedience. While there may be wars in many parts of the world, the real battle is not fought with guns, tanks or airplanes. This year Joyful Kids will be training children to be successful soldiers in God’s Army, by putting on the armor of the Lord and learning many of the tactics Satan uses against God’s children.

Josiah is a young private serving in the military. His unit has found themselves surrounded by the enemy! With no way to communicate with their base and the enemy closing in, Josiah is sent to sneak through enemy lines for help. Will Josiah become overwhelmed with fear or faint from exhaustion? In this fictional account children will learn the importance of renewing their strength in the Lord during difficult times.

Joshua was given the task of leading God’s people into the promised land. But what about Jerico with it’s monstrous wall? Joshua chose to obey God in what seemed like a crazy plan and the Lord gave Israel an amazing victory. This incredible true story reminds us that we need to trust the Word of God for victory in our lives.

As a young man David trusted in the Lord to give him protection as he kept watch over his fathers sheep. The hungry lions and bears were no match for God’s protection. This trust in the Lord gave David courage as he faced the mighty Goliath. Kids will laugh along with Ralph the dog as he helps James tell the story of David and Goliath.

Bucky wants to go skydiving so he can sneak behind enemy lines! But he has no idea about how to use a parachute. This “egg”citing story illustrates the importance of Gods provision of authorities in our lives.

Soldiers aren’t the only ones who need courage. Esther was a young queen who had a scary decision to make. Did she have the courage to face death so that her people might be saved from certain destruction?

We tend to live in an ungrateful society in which we are always wanting more stuff. When we develop a grateful attitude our hearts become more content and joyful. During many of our programs this year the children will be writing notes of thanks to our soldiers who risk their lives to protect us. These notes will be included in care packages to bless our troops.