Creative ministry programs can be successful without being expensive! If finding equipment or supplies poses a challenge, try any or all of these four ways to creatively acquire things that will get the job done:

• Ask your congregation to loan their portable CD players, television, and DVD player. Music and video will enhance any program, capture the attention of kids, and create a fun learning environment.
  
  
• Call a neighboring church that might have equipment available. You might be surprised at the stuff sitting idle in storage areas.
  
  
• Nearby high schools or community theater groups may be able to help with large group program prop needs—they have idle stuff, too.
  
  
• Ask families in your congregation to donate supplies on a list of specific items needed for activity stations, team times, or small group meetings.

Flipt Promiseland Curriculum   • Director • © 2005 Willow Creek Community Church
Permission granted to reproduce this page for use in this program.

Copyright © 2005 Promiseland.

Read more from 'Operations'

Words Kids Need to Hear To Help Them Be Who God Made Them to Be by David Staal If you could choose just seven statements to share with children, what would they be? Each chapter in this compelling book focuses on a single statement elementary-age kids need to hear from parents, children's workers, and other close adults. These seven statements are simple to share, yet guaranteed to profoundly impact children. They are: I believe in you. You can count on me. I treasure you. I'm sorry, please forgive me. Because. No. I love you. will educate, equip, and motivate parents and children's ministry teams to carefully choose words that building up kids' hearts, to say them frequently, and to do so in creative ways. What children hear from trusted adults significantly influences their self-image, their current relationships, and future relationships—including that all-important relationship with God.