The Power of Showing Up When It’s Hard In Children's Ministry

If I can be real for a moment—showing up in Children’s Ministry isn’t always easy. There are mornings when you feel stretched thin, when life outside of church is pressing in on you, and when the thought of one more Sunday feels heavy. Sometimes it’s not about exhaustion—it’s about the quiet lies that sneak into our minds:

• “It’s just childcare anyway.”

• “Someone else can handle it.”

• “I don’t know how to connect with that difficult child.”

• “Besides, nobody will notice if I miss.”

  
  

But let me tell you something: those are not small lies. Those are the very whispers the enemy uses to keep us from standing in the gap for the next generation. Because the truth is this: your presence matters more than you will ever know.

Why Showing Up Matters

When you show up, you become an anchor for children who may not have anything steady in their lives. Some of them come from homes where love feels conditional, routines are unpredictable, and security is scarce. Your face, your voice, your presence—it reminds them that someone cares enough to be there, week after week. Over time, that consistency builds something deeper than attendance; it builds trust. And once trust is established, the words you speak about Jesus begin to take root in ways they never could otherwise. Even more, your faithfulness begins to repair what others’ inconsistency may have broken. Children who have learned not to count on people start to believe again when you keep showing up. They begin to connect your presence with God’s presence, your reliability with His reliability, and your faithfulness with His faithfulness. And that changes everything.

What Keeps Us From Showing Up

I get it. I’ve been there. Sometimes stress makes us forget the weight of our “yes.” Sometimes discouragement convinces us we’re not making a difference. Sometimes the child who never listens, always acts out, or pushes our buttons feels like too much.

But here’s what I’ve learned: the moments that feel the hardest are often the moments where God is doing the deepest work—both in the child and in us.

How to Show Up Well in Children’s Ministry

Showing up isn’t just about being present physically—it’s about showing up with your heart, your faith, and your focus. Here are some ways to keep showing up well:

1. Spend time with God first.

   Everything you need to serve children well flows out of your time with Him. Your peace, strength, power, wisdom, and even the ability to love children who may be difficult to reach—all of it comes from God. When you intentionally create space for the Father, you’re reminded that you’re not serving out of your own strength, but out of His. A quiet moment in prayer, worship, or the Word before you step into ministry shifts your heart and fills you with what only He can supply.

   
   

2. Remind yourself of your “why.”

   This isn’t babysitting. This is soul-shaping, eternity-impacting work. Every story you tell, every hug you give, every word of encouragement plants seeds that will outlast you. You are not there by happenstance. God has called you to this sacred work of reaching the youngest of His flock. The enemy wants you to lose sight of that, so remind yourself AGAIN and AGAIN and AGAIN!

   
   

3. Lean on your team.

   You weren’t meant to do this alone. Share your struggles with your fellow leaders and encourage each other to keep pressing forward. Ministry can be heavy, but the weight gets lighter when it’s carried together. Your team isn’t just there to fill roles—they’re your brothers and sisters in Christ, walking the same journey. Leaning on your team means praying for one another, picking each other up on hard days, and celebrating the wins—big and small—side by side. When leaders are united, children see a picture of the Body of Christ in action: strong, supportive, and unshakable.

   
   

4. Choose consistency over perfection.

   Kids don’t need you to have the perfect lesson. They need to know you’ll be there for them—week after week, pointing them to Jesus. Long after they forget the details of your object lesson or craft, they will remember you showed up. Your steady presence speaks louder than polished performance. Consistency communicates God’s faithfulness, and that is what shapes hearts for eternity.

   
   

5. See the child, not just the challenge.

   Behind every difficult behavior is a child longing to be known, loved, and understood. Don’t shrink back—lean in. The child who tests your patience may be the one who needs your love the most. Every outburst, every wall they put up, is really a question: “Will you still love me? Will you still see me?” When you look past the challenge and speak to the heart, you’re showing them the kind of unconditional love only found in Jesus. Remember—God doesn’t just see who they are in the moment; He sees who they’re becoming. And He invites you to partner with Him in drawing that out.

   
   
   
   

Keep Showing Up

Children’s Ministry leaders, I want you to hear this: your presence is powerful. When you honor your commitment—even when it’s hard—you’re modeling faithfulness to a generation that needs to see it. Don’t underestimate what God can do through a hug, a smile, or a simple reminder that He loves them. Don’t let discouragement rob you of the impact you were called to make. Keep showing up. Keep loving. Keep believing. Because eternity is being written through your yes.

And to the ones who keep showing up, I want to pause and honor you. To the leader who has poured out week after week when no one else saw. To the volunteer who has wiped tears, tied shoes, prayed quietly over restless children, and taught stories of Jesus with fire in your heart. To those who have sacrificed time, energy, and comfort to invest in kids and families—you are heroes of the faith. Heaven sees you. God delights in you. And countless children will carry the seeds of your faithfulness for the rest of their lives.

Thank you for showing up. Thank you for standing in the gap. Thank you for choosing to serve when it’s hard. You are changing the world—one child, one moment, one act of love at a time.

Always Cheering For You!

Esther

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