by Jane Kim

The Fireflies Ministry has changed from its small staff of 5 members and 3 babies to the booming ministry it is today of over 30 staff members and 30+ infants and toddlers. Back in 1999 when LBC first started, this ministry, albeit small, was needed even then. As a collegian, I thought it would be a great way to spend time with the cute babies and serve the 3 families of our church. Over the years, however, my views on how I could serve on staff changed. Sure, it was fun for a while holding sleeping babies and playing with the inquisitive toddlers. However, it was definitely not all rainbows and butterflies. I cannot tell you the number of times I held a crying infant through an entire service, changed diapers that had exploded, caught throw-up with my bare hands, or had spit-up run down my hair or shirt. Yuck! However, did I feel any less compelled to care for and love them despite the fact that we were not related by blood? Honestly, no. Even though we were not related by birth, I saw each one as a part of my church family. It was an opportunity to serve not only their parents so that they could have an undistracted time of worship, but it was also an opportunity to show in a physical way God’s love to each child.

Now I’m a mom of four with my last child in nursery. Serving on staff has given me an opportunity to see and work with other members who are dedicated to imparting God’s truth and providing love and care for each child on Sundays and special events. This is a ministry that does not take a break in serving. It has evolved to include teaching toddlers at a young age about who God is and what He has done. Most of these children will not remember to adulthood all the particulars of what they received in our care (e.g., “so and so held me while I screamed in her ear for over an hour,” “she was the one that cleaned up after my accident during my potty training,” or “that lady read me the same book over and over again because I asked her to do so”). No, they will not remember those particulars. I hope and pray though that they will come out of this ministry and our church with a sense of comfort and ease knowing that they had a safe, loving, caring environment that they went to on Sundays to learn about God. As a mom, I am so thankful for this ministry and the staff who serve our children. Thank you Children’s Ministry, in particular Fireflies Staff, for your faithful service to us all! It is a service that is definitely done behind the scenes, and I am so privileged to have been part of it and a recipient of it all these years!