Jo Taylor is a GWC alumnus from the College’s earliest days. In her time here, she says the “ministry bug bit” and what followed was 25 years of children’s ministry at St Stephen’s Bible Church, Claremont, Cape Town. Jo shared a bit about the new ministry she has launched, Siyakhulisa Kids…
“In South Africa, the majority of churches cannot afford full-time children’s workers. If they do have one, it is rare for them to be theologically trained. How then, do we equip volunteers to do kids’ ministry, and train more people on the ground to serve children? Siyakhulisa Kids, meaning “we grow children” was birthed in response to this need, and is the outcome of a number of years of prayer and discussion together with my pastor, Rev. Dr Geoff Gertzen, and within REACH-SA. The aim is to help equip those responsible for children’s ministry in the local church, and to help them find resources that are relevant to their context, affordable and biblically faithful. I am also passionate about helping make churches safe spaces for children and teens in their community.
My studies at GWC gave me complete confidence that teaching the Bible is what we need to be doing in kids’ ministry, letting God’s power through His Holy Spirit reveal Himself through Scripture to children. It excites me to think that in different pockets across South Africa, and in varied contexts, we will start to see children’s ministry more as discipleship rather than entertainment or babysitting, and that children will be increasingly reached with the gospel.
I would love to visit more churches, so please do invite me to come and observe and hear from you. The biblical mandate for children’s ministry doesn’t change, but the model and context makes all the difference, and so I would love to encourage and help in whatever way would be best.”
Africa: The World’s Youngest Continent
60% of the population is younger than 25 years old .
There are over 21 million children in South Africa.
75% of Christians profess that they came to faith before 18
