By Janet Shih

Even though I have been serving in the Fireflies ministry for the past 3 years, I always walk into the nursery room with great anticipation of what the morning will bring. With the recent baby boom, I have had to once hold two crying babies in my arms, while rocking another in their carrier with my foot. After each Sunday I serve in the nursery, I go home exhausted, wondering how parents do it all day long. Without fail, I go to work on Monday and wonder why my arms are sore… and quickly remember it’s because I spent a mere 2 hours picking up babies the day before.

Aside from the fun times and stories I have to share, this ministry is much more than babysitting. Each week, the toddlers and babies are taught different aspects of God’s character. As staff, we strive to demonstrate kindness, patience, and love towards them in a way that reflects Christ’s character. When I spend time with some of the older children, one thing that encourages me the most is when they understand the lesson and answer the teacher’s questions. Though correct responses to the lesson is no indication of a child’s salvation or even an adequate understanding of who God is, I know that they have not learned these things through a 5 minute lesson on Sunday mornings. It reveals to me the faithfulness of parents to raise their children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord, and their desire to pass on the greatness of God to their children. It is also a good reminder that there is nothing that I can do to change the hearts of these children, but it is the grace of God that will lead these little souls to an understanding of their sins before Him.

This ministry has seen a lot of changes in the past few years. We have had to change the structure of the rooms, as well as increase the number of staff serving each Sunday to accommodate the influx of babies. Through these changes, it has been a joy to see how other members—particularly collegians—have committed to serving in this ministry. The older women and seasoned moms are teaching younger women Titus 2 principles of how to love children. It is a great privilege to serve God in this way, and I look forward to seeing children come through this ministry, and move on to Sparklers, Sonlight, and Youth, and Lord willing, come to saving knowledge of Christ as their Lord and Savior!