KidZ at Heart Podcast KidZ at Heart International

Our good friend, Melissa J. MacDonald, returns to the podcast nearly two years after she helped us launch KidZ at Home. At the onset of the global pandemic KidZ at Heart discerned the need for a free resource to get into the hands of parents, grandparents, teachers, and ministry leaders. Something that could be used at home as a supplement to churches and children's ministries who were all trying to figure out how to embody the phrase, "the Church has left the building."

Melissa was instrumental in helping us launch our video series and accompanying resource guides for KidZ at Home in March of 2020. Shortly thereafter, the KidZ at Heart Podcast was developed as a way to listen to the new KidZ at Home episodes that were being created weekly, at first, and then monthly. We decided to increase the frequency of podcast episodes by hosting additional conversations with other ministry leaders and practitioners in the areas of children's ministry and spiritual formation.

We are excited to see our community grow as more and more people are finding their way to the KidZ at Heart podcast. So, we decided to spend some time with Melissa and celebrate what God has done over the course of these past two years. We also share some news about the future of KidZ at Home in this episode.

Even though we're still in the midst of hard times, we can celebrate our God who is always  faithful, always present, and always giving us new songs for every new season.

Melissa MacDonald is a speaker, trainer, author, coach, lover of the church, and one of the leading voices in children's ministry. She would love to connect with you! Simply visit www.melissajmacdonald.com. You can connect Melissa's social media or send her an email by scrolling to the bottom of her home page.

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KidZ at Heart Podcast Hosts:
Gordon West (KidZ at Heart, President/CEO)
Adam Ormord (KidZ at Heart, Chief Culture Officer)

We're really happy to welcome Curtis Zackery to the KidZ at Heart Podcast to talk about living in rhythm with God, nurturing our desire to continually say "yes" to the Holy Spirit, and setting ourselves up to sustainably live out our calling.

Curtis Zackery is a popular speaker, teacher and author, with decades of pastoral experience in the local church. We can't say it any better than what is already written on his website:

"I've had the privilege of opening the word, serving, and working with some super cool folks, partnering in pointing to hope. It's a beautiful mystery as to why the Lord has allowed me to experience such grace, but I'm just a beggar trying to show other beggars where the bread is.

"Along the way, I wrote a book called "Soul Rest" that came from a season of deep learning and growing. It connects to my absolute belief that God's desire for humanity is that we would find rest in His finished work. I've had some fantastic opportunities to share this hope with churches, ministries, businesses, and organizations around the country."

Curtis was a main stage speaker at 2022's Children's Pastor Conference in Orlando, Florida. His message of soul rest was well received by thousands of leaders on the front lines of ministry to children. We're thrilled to offer this conversation as a "coda" to the melody of soul care that was lifted up in Orlando and will continue to be spread all around the world...for such a time as this!

Be sure to pick up his book: Soul Rest: Reclaim Your Life. Return to Sabbath.

Also, Curtis would love to connect with you on social media, or at his website: www.curtiszackery.com
Please rate, leave a review, subscribe and share this podcast with others. Thank you!

KidZ at Heart Podcast Hosts:
Gordon West (KidZ at Heart, President/CEO)
Adam Ormord (KidZ at Heart, Chief Culture Officer)

Gordon West and Adam Ormord welcome Justin Earley to the KidZ at Home Podcast to discuss the habits that form us.

Justin Earley is a husband and father, an attorney, a former missionary to China, a speaker, and an author. Justin hosts a blog, "The Common Rule," and is the author of the recently released book: "Habits of the Household: Practicing the Story of God in Everyday Family Rhythms.

This is part two of a conversation we began in Episode #2, "Purposeful Life Practices," with Melissa MacDonald.  We're excited to continue the conversation with Justin on the topic of purposeful life practices, also known as a "rule of life."

Having purposeful life practices is all about finding ways to create space to be with God, so we can be transformed us by God's Spirit. These habits are not imposed on us as burdensome obligations. They are invitations to enjoy rhythms which will bring us into abundance. These routine practices are gifts that will refresh, rejuvenate, and re-center us – and our children - in the loving presence of God.

Recommended Resources:
The Common Rule (www.thecommonrule.org)

To download our free Resource Guide for this episode, please visit www.kidzathome.org and scroll to the bottom of the page. This episode is listed under the category "Receive God's Love."

Please rate, leave a review, subscribe and share this podcast with others. Thank you!

KidZ at Heart Podcast Hosts:
Gordon West (KidZ at Heart, President/CEO)
Adam Ormord (KidZ at Heart, Chief Culture Officer)

Gordon and Adam welcome Shelly Henning (Co-founder & CEO of Grow Family) to the podcast for a conversation on the urgency and intentionality of Christ-focused mentoring in the lives of our children.

Shelley Henning has served, not only as a children’s pastor, but also in the training and mentoring of pastors and ministry leaders. In addition to being a wife and mom, she serves as the Children’s Ministry Catalyst for the Reformed Church of America. She is the co-author of the Mourning Star Grief curriculum for children, teens, and adults, as well as "24 Family Ministry Events for the Holidays" from RoseKidz.

Jesus continually mentored and repeatedly invited us to “follow” as he showed us how to live and how to love – even to the point of dying. Mentoring is a mandate from God for the benefit of all his people. “Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.” (Hebrews 10:24 NLT). Scripture invites us to share in one another’s transformational processes. But only as we, ourselves, have a familiar walk with God can we say to the children we love, “You should imitate me as I imitate Christ.” (I Corinthians 11:1 NLT).

Mentoring and parenting are inextricably bound. Mentoring and Christian community are inextricably bound. And there is no age limit. Even children can enjoy the formational practice of having a mentor – and being a mentor, helping someone else know how to live life with God.

Recommended Resources:
Grow Family (www.growfamilyministry.com)

To download our free Resource Guide for this episode, please visit www.kidzathome.org and scroll to the bottom of the page. This episode is listed under the category "Reflecting God's Love."

Please rate, leave a review, subscribe and share this podcast with others. Thank you!

KidZ at Heart Podcast Hosts:
Gordon West (KidZ at Heart, President/CEO)
Adam Ormord (KidZ at Heart, Chief Culture Officer)

We're excited to welcome Ann van der Merwe to this episode of the KidZ at Heart Podcast. Ann's greatest joy is using the creativity God has given her for his glory. She grew up singing and dancing, which led her to pursue a BM in Voice at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She then explored creativity more deeply and discovered a love of writing while earning an MA and PhD in Musicology at The Ohio State University.
She met her husband Geo, a native South African, while in graduate school. After they married and welcomed a daughter and a son to their family, Ann began to use her creative gifts in Children’s Ministry. She quickly realized that God had been preparing her for this all along, and she has become passionate about engaging children in scripture in creative ways, helping them unleash the creativity God has given them, and reminding them of God’s presence in their everyday lives.
Ann is excited to bring her creativity to the KidZ at Heart community as the Director of Content Development. Working alongside others, she will use her talents to develop resources that help leaders and children fall deeply in love with Jesus.
The Trip by Ann van der Merwe (at the 54:52 mark)
 
Have you ever thought about a long trip as a good thing? I'm guessing not. Long hours in the car probably just seem boring...not something for which you are thankful, right? But what if it is actually good for us to go on that long drive? What if waiting to get where we want to go is a gift from God? What if we need that time to learn...to see...and to be even more thankful for what we experience when we get there?
Think about the journey of the Israelites after God parted the Red Sea and rescued them from slavery in Egypt. They were so excited for the place God had promised them...they even called it the Promised Land! It was going to be great! But God did not take them straight there. They had a long trip ahead of them. They complained. They got tired. They were probably bored. They might have even asked, "Are we there yet?"
How could that be good? Well, during that trip, God gave the Israelites the Ten Commandments...and a lot of other guidelines for living. During that trip, God worked miracles before their eyes. During that trip, God forgave them when they disobeyed and complained. During that trip, God was working in the lives of the Israelite people.
God is working in your life in every trip you take, too...and I don't just mean road trips. God works in our lives even when we are between the big things. Maybe you feel like you are on a trip right now...away from the last big thing that happened and waiting for the next one to come. Maybe you are starting to feel bored, or worried, or asking God, "Am I there yet?"
If so, remember the Israelites. Remember that God not only keeps his promises; he sticks with us while we wait for them to come, teaching us and guiding us to make sure we end up in the right place knowing everything we need to know. When we remember that God is faithful, we can be thankful not only for where he leads us but for the things he shows us along the way.

Recommended Resources:

Guerillas of Grace: Prayers for the Battle, by Ted Loder

Please rate, leave a review, subscribe and share this podcast with others. Thank you!

KidZ at Heart Podcast Hosts:
Gordon West (KidZ at Heart, President/CEO)
Adam Ormord (KidZ at Heart, Chief Culture Officer)

Keith Ferrin is an author, speaker, and an advocate for enjoying God’s Word in deep ways. Here's how Keith describes his ministry: "My passion and mission is helping individuals, families, and entire churches realize that the Bible isn't only true and relevant. It's also outstanding and enjoyable! I always believed the Bible was true. I was a Christian for 25 years before I realized it was awesome! I want to make sure it doesn't take you that long." (www.keithferrin.com)

Join Gordon and Adam as they invite Keith into a rich conversation on the spiritual practices of memorization and meditation. Keith uses the word "internalizing" as a way of bringing memorization and meditation together in our hearts and minds. This is a fantastic conversation that is sure to inspire and challenge you to "know the Word" rather than merely "knowing the words."

As a special gift for our KidZ at Heart community, Keith is offering a discount of 30% off his new course, "The Simplest Way to Internalize (Not Just Memorize) Any Verse, Chapter or Whole Book in the Bible."

Simply go to www.keithferrin.com/internalize and use the code: KIDZ30

Recommended Resource:
Bible Praying for Parents, by Keith Ferrin and Judy Fetzer

To download our free Resource Guide for this episode, please visit www.kidzathome.org and scroll to the bottom of the page. This episode is listed under the category "Receiving God's Love."

Please rate, leave a review, subscribe and share this podcast with others. Thank you!

KidZ at Heart Podcast Hosts:
Gordon West (KidZ at Heart, President/CEO)
Adam Ormord (KidZ at Heart, Chief Culture Officer)