Children’s Ministry
Ministry
Children’s Ministry
The Children Ministry of the National Pentecostal Mission is as old as the existence of the Mission itself. The twins of the Kennedy family, Francis and Frances were very much interested in the development of young children. Whilst their mother was engaging the adult female members of the church and their father, Rev. Kennedy was busy winning more souls for the Lord, they, Francis and Frances focused their attention to developing the kids. Their meeting day was on Fridays preferably in the evening hours. The Children Ministry because of the day their meeting was held became known as the Friday Class Children Ministry.
At their Friday meetings, they were taught basic principles of salvation and the love of God for mankind. Among those who started the Friday Class Children Ministry included Bro. Samuel G. Koroma (now Rev. Samuel G. Koroma attached to the Congo Cross Church), Sis. Yarie (now Pastor Mrs. Yarie Kabia of the Shalom Ministry), Sis. Yabba Conteh and Bro. John Samba (late) to name but four. Rev. Samuel G. Koroma was the Friday Class Children Ministry’s first ever song leader.
Francis and Frances made every Friday Class meeting with the kids very interesting and attractive in such a way every child was looking forward to attending it. On festive occasions such as Christmas and Easter, Friday Class Children Ministry members were invited to spend time with the Missionaries at their Berry Street residence where they will play all sort of games that amused the kids. One of the games they children enjoy playing was the blowing and tying of balloons against their feet which were required to be burst by stepping on them. It was a competition among the kids and who does it first was sure to get a prize. This special amusement attracted many children to the Friday Class Children Ministry meetings.
As the church after the missionaries expands, every branch had its own Children Department set up with coordinators and teachers assigned to teach and guide them in line with basic biblical doctrine and acceptable Christian living. Today, every other branch had their Children Ministry attached to the Sunday School Department except the Fort Street Church still maintains its Children Ministry operating as Friday Class Children Ministry under the supervision of the leadership of the Friday Class Youth Fellowship.
Almost all of the present leaders of the Mission passed through the Children Ministry of their individual local church, including Bishop Benjamin Boinor Bangura. It is a center for the training of future leaders and as such the National Pentecostal Mission considered that department as the Heart Beat of the Mission.