Thank You For Everything!

I would just like to take the time to tell each and every one of you, thank you so much for the last 5 precious years.

On November 2, 1996, the Children's Ministry Network was born.  It started as just a little page with a couple links on it, but through God, it has become a connecting point and an encouragement to those who minister to kids.  I am so thrilled to have had the opportunity to be a part of this endeavor.

I have never had any illusions about my role with the site.  It has always been His garden, I have only been the caretaker.  It has remained a labor of love for me, and I have enjoyed so much, getting to meet and fellowship with so many different people in the body of Christ.

To date, the site has averaged around 10,000 visits a year and, as such, has become larger than one man in his spare time can effectively administrate.   I have recently taken on the position of Children's Pastor in our local church, and have met an awesome woman of God named Terri who has taken a few hours of my spare time as well.

After prayerful consideration, I decided that the time was right to "pass the torch" of this ministry to an awesome man of God by the name of Todd Carpenter.  Todd has ministered to kids and their families for over 20 years both in person and on the web with his Professor Pockets ministry.  I have the utmost confidence in his integrity and his ability to take the Children's Ministry Network on to the next level.  You can visit his main ministry site at www.albertweb.com.

Finally, my precious brothers and sisters, let me leave you with this word of encouragement.

You have been given such an awesome and wonderful responsibility.  You have been chosen to reach out and minister to those kids that God has placed in your path.  You are such a vital part of the body of Christ.

It is not an easy road that you travel, but it is what God has destined you to do.  He has placed a fire on the inside of each and every one of us.  Stir it up daily!  Don't let that fire die out!  It is a passion to reach as many as you can with the life changing message of Jesus Christ.

When you start to feel that discouragement and weariness overtaking you, please remember that God did choose you to carry out this task.  He did not call you to be that perfect vessel, but a vessel who will humble themselves to be used.  Keep going.  We are all there together with you.  We are all in the trenches of Children's Ministry facing the same struggles and triumphs. We can and we WILL make it.

Keep up the great work, my friend.  Keep changing lives!

Galatians 6:9 (NKJV)

"And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart."

Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

"'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'"

In His Love, your brother,

Troy

Proceed to the Children's Ministry Network's new home.