Having started in 2007 as ‘Kids Praise Party’, the denomination’s principal event for P1 to P7s has developed into ‘Kids Big Day Out’, which is now in its sixth year, and saw 500 children and 160 adults come together to think about the world and God’s love for all the people who live in it.
“This year we wanted to consider the theme of global mission and I hope the children enjoyed taking part in the music, dance activities, teaching and story telling that helped them to explore some of the different cultures around the world and how God is working in these places through PCI’s global mission workers and other members of our Church overseas,” explained Ruth Bromley, PCI’s Children’s Development Officer.
Themed ‘All around the world’, the children at the interactive event were asked to think about what it might be like to live in different parts of the globe as Christians and what they could do living here in Ireland to be part of God’s mission.
To help the children think about global mission, parts of the church were turned into three ‘zones’ where they could experience a little bit of the culture of Africa, Asia and South America in an age appropriate way. Throughout the day they were also able to hear from the children of mission workers in Nepal, Malawi and Spain via specially shot videos for Kids Big Day Out, in which the children talked about their lives and what it was like to live in a different country.
“No matter what country we live in, no matter what the colour of our skin is, no matter what language we speak, God created a world full of people who He loves. Just like many of us here in Ireland, many of these people are also disciples of Jesus and show His love to others,” Ruth Bromley said.
“This was a key message that we wanted to get across through our activities and worship. Alongside helping the children come to understand how amazing God’s world is and how they might see something of how they can live as disciples, we hope the day inspired them to share the good news of the Gospel of Jesus with others.”
The children came from a variety of congregations and were at different stages on their journey of faith and understanding of what it means to live in this world as a disciple.
“It was a fun day and I give thanks for what God is already doing in their lives and how He will use this year’s Kids Big Day Out, and future ones, to impact their faith and walk with Jesus,” Ruth said.
You can find out more about PCI’s Youth and Children’s ministry, here including downloadable resources, blogs by Ruth and information on forthcoming events.
Photos: (Main) children worshipping at the start of Kids' Big Day Out (KBDO) in Wellington Presbyterian Church, Ballymena (1) Over 150 P1 to P7s drumming furiously as part of KBDO (2) A taste of India, getting to grips with some Bollywood dancing.