Equipping churches to engage children in worship
The Goal
20 churches...countless lives
Teaching Like Jesus Ministries and the Urban Outreach Foundation are partners in “Welcoming Children Into Worship,” a Lilly Endowment Inc. Nurturing Children Through Worship and Prayer Initiative. We are equipping 20 churches in the Church Of God In Christ denomination to reimagine Sunday mornings where children are joyfully engaged in every aspect of worship—praying, singing, dancing, playing instruments, reading Scripture, giving testimonies, making announcements, serving Communion...and yes, preaching!
We are grateful for every pastor's commitment to the spiritual formation of children so that children cultivate a vibrant relationship with God the Father, who loves us, Jesus Christ the Son, our stairway to a relationship with God, and the Holy Spirit, our paraclete and teacher. In the 2024/2025 annual reports, learn how pastors, parents, worship leaders, and children are shaping a movement of intergenerational worship—and how churches are being equipped to disciple the next generation with intention, creativity, and joy!
Our Approach:
Knowing
the “Why” and “How” of
intergenerational worship by
identifying theological
presuppositions and learning best
practices
Engaging
pastors, parents, worship leaders, children, and youth living In foster care during congregational Sunday
morning service
Growing
into a model for African
American churches To
embrace intergenerational
worship
"Whoever welcomes one of these little children
in my name welcomes Me;
and whoever welcomes Me does not welcome Me
but the One who sent Me."