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One Friday I spent a few relaxing hours driving to a church in Indiana to speak at their first-ever children's ministry volunteer appreciation event. I arrived at the same moment as a lightning storm, which knocked out electricity for several square miles. As people scurried to find flashlights and other lighting options, volunteers arrived for dinner and the program in the church's main sanctuary.

While time wore on, early evening shadows evaporated with the nightfall. Expensive sound equipment remained uselessly silent. And yet this unwelcome darkness yielded to unmistakable energy.

The children's ministry director led through the storm and chaos with amazing power—clear to see from her smile and a positive attitude that never dimmed. All was well with everyone because all was well with her. And plenty of power radiated from the dedicated volunteers working the event; their "we're in this together" hearts shone brightly. As this very special event unfolded rather than unraveled, a very comforting thought suddenly flashed through my mind: "Having no lights will be the lasting memory of this evening, so the pressure's off my talk. I can relax."

Have you brought your team together lately, with the only purpose to say thank you? A gathering people will enjoy so much that you don't have to repeatedly invite them to attend or persuade them to show up. No new program to announce. No appeal to increase any time commitments. No list of unfilled positions. No kidding—just fun, thanks, and celebration for what God does through your ministry. Something special happens when you serve the people who normally do the serving. Maybe even a common memory that strengthens a team.

A few minutes before the program's scheduled start time, the lights came on to the wild cheers of all. It's amazing how much difference power makes.

Sure, electricity is important. But the power that matters most comes from the Holy Spirit. His power is seen when a ministry's light shines through the smiles of volunteers, from the faith-fueled positive attitude of a resilient leader, and when children say "Yes" to Jesus.

Thinking back at my short stay at this Indiana church, my lasting memory of the evening doesn't include any of the comments I made. How could it? I saw a children's ministry with plenty of the right power.

And that's worth cheering.

David Staal, senior editor of Today's Children's Ministry, serves as the president of Kids Hope USA, a national non-profit organization that partners local churches with elementary schools to provide mentors for at-risk students. Prior to this assignment, David led Promiseland, the children's ministry at Willow Creek Community Church in Barrington, Illinois. David is the author of Words Kids Need to Hear (2008) and lives in Grand Haven, MI, with his wife Becky, son Scott, and daughter Erin.

Copyright © 2006 Promiseland.

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