Called to Greatness: Children’s Ministry in Brandon, Manitoba

Charlette lights up when describing Brandon’s Called to Greatness (C2G) kids program offered through the local Salvation Army corps. This year, the theme is “Secret Agents of Jesus”, a spy-like mission curriculum which helps kids foster their faith while being fully engaged in a community of like-minded creative peers. As the Community and Family Services Volunteer Coordinator, Charlette oversees the program offered to school-aged kids five to 12. The after-school program runs one day per week from September to June, with a break in between for the holiday season. Every week, kids learn while doing with activities like carpentry, baking, sewing and working on fun crafts like making musical boom whackers.

When the kids first arrived in early September, they were given a secret code name, and everyone received a pencil case with a fake mustache, invisible ink, notepad, spy glass, and detective ID, all of which are needed for the many missions throughout the year. At home, the kids will secretly do some detective work, and share about the different missions, all of which will help them understand how God worked in the lives of individuals in the Bible. It is not all just fun and games though, Charlette notes. This year, around Remembrance Day children will also hear from a soldier, who will share some stories about what they do for service. The kids may also get a visit to the local police station, to see some real detectives at work.

Charlette hopes to grow the program over the next year, which currently has approximately 20 kids in attendance. She does a lot of her own recruiting online, through the church message board, and even at the local playground, where she spends time with her own children. She is enthusiastic about creating programming for community kids, hearing how their week was, and taking them on field trips. Most importantly, she loves to experience the milestones as they grow in faith. “If I know they are starting to pray at mealtime, something their family may never do – I know I am making a difference in their lives.”