Kids with Daring Faith

This month, Saddleback Kids proved you’re never too young to have Daring Faith by participating in the Kids Small Group (KSG) Mission Fair. Held on March 7 and 8 at our Lake Forest campus, over 1,200 students attended the annual event that educates and inspires kids to be part of God’s work—personally, locally and globally.

The Mission Fair really inspired the next generation to get involved in this vital commissioning,” says Liza Gant, Saddleback Kids Minister. “Whether they made a commitment as individuals, groups, or families, they were equipped on ways to serve through prayer, giving, and going.”

Representing KSGs from Anaheim, Newport Mesa, Rancho Capistrano, and Lake Forest, the gathering provided insight on the PEACE Plan for students Grades 4–6. In an effort to equip them for missions, two interactive stations were available including one led by our 6th grade, Children’s 401 students. Through crafts, games, and presentations, they taught younger students about the five Global Giants and how to tackle them through the PEACE Plan.

The second station, “The Journey Around the World,” was operated by Global PEACE Team representatives who introduced aspects and initiatives of various countries through cultural activities and food. Profiled countries included SK PEACE Trip destinations as well as those where kids can participate in Saddleback initiatives like Orphan Care, Poverty, Preschools, and Clean Water.

During the event, one 6th grade student named Kyle stopped by the PEACE Buenos Aires table. He told the leader how he had visited Argentina on mission the year before.

“The kids were so excited to know that Kyle was already a missionary,” says Amanda Schaefer, PEACE Team Associate. “Other students were asking him about it, looking up to him, and wanting to go as well!”

After groups completed the two rotations, they were given simple “Next Steps to PEACE” by getting involved to pray, give, and go on mission. For “Pray,” they received a prayer card with the names of SK PEACE Team leaders for Mexico, Rwanda, and the Philippines; For “Give,” they were encouraged to fill up a Food Pantry bag to donate to the PEACE Center; And for “Go,” kids were given bags to collect recyclable goods as an active way to earn money for future PEACE Trips. The students were then encouraged to mark a destination on the Mission Fair map where they would like to serve in the world.

As a take-home gift, students were given bags that detailed the PEACE process, helping them to keep the Great Commission at the forefront of their minds.

If you want to be part of the mission of implementing the PEACE Plan across the world, visit www.saddleback.com/missions or email peace@saddleback.com.

To learn more about getting involved in Saddleback Kids Small Groups Ministry, contact Liza Gant at lizag@saddleback.com.