By A.M. Everett 
When people hear the word ministry, they often think of missionaries, or the pastor who preaches every Sunday, but in our home, ministry belongs to all of us—even our kids.
Growing up, I didn’t think of myself as a ministry kid. Still, when my dad packed our old Astro for the summer and we all piled in, we were on mission. Each kid had a part to play in my dad’s evangelical magic shows (yes, you read that right!). My brother would juggle, my older sister sang, my middle sister flipped the projector slides that shone pictures of Jesus on the screen, and I would take the bunny that had magically appeared and put him in his cage behind the curtain. Kids all over the nation were drawn to Jesus by my dad’s juggling, magic, and meaningful gospel presentation.
Over and over again, my dad would use a simple phrase. I don’t remember the first time I heard him say it, but I remember the first time I really felt it: “This is your ministry too.” My dad had been the one to tell the gospel story and pray, but he made sure we knew that the parts we played were just as valuable in the Lord’s sight. Suddenly, I wasn’t just putting my fluffy pet away—I was performing my part in God’s ministry.
When I, as an adult, moved with my husband and our two young boys to live as missionaries in South Asia, I repeated my dad’s phrase to my kids. I wanted them to know Mommy and Daddy weren’t the only missionaries in the family. Now, as pastor’s kids in the PNW, they know that truth by heart. Ministry in our family is for everyone.
This idea goes far beyond formal ministry contexts; it extends to all homes under the banner of Christ. We, as followers of Jesus, as receivers of the great commission, and as neighbors and community members, have a ministry. If you talk to a human person at any point during the week, you have a ministry and people to whom you are the aroma of Christ.
For a long time, I struggled to balance two seemingly opposing forces: ministry outside of the home and ministry inside. I often took Charles Spurgeon’s quote, “Mothers, the godly training of your offspring is your first and most pressing duty,” to mean I was exempt from outside ministry. Then, I would feel guilty for not doing more discipleship, evangelism, or other things along those lines.
With the help of Scripture, we can see that what I thought was an impossible balancing act is much simpler. In 2 Timothy 2:2, Paul instructs Timothy, “… what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.” While these instructions may have originally been for the purpose of church leadership, it wouldn’t be too far a stretch to bring this into the context of our homes as well. As mothers, we are to entrust the gospel to our children and train them up so they are whole, fully engaged followers of Jesus when they reach (earthly) maturity. These “little disciples” we’re raising will one day, by God’s grace, be disciple makers themselves, and they should be trained accordingly. Just as we train them in reading God’s Word, prayer, and the general characteristics of Christianity, we can model what it means to be a disciple maker and bring them along in that.
Sisters, I’m not writing this to heap burdens on you or to add one more thing to your already overflowing to-do list. My hope is to show you that this way of whole family ministry is as easy as opening your eyes to what you’re doing right now and letting the light of Jesus shine there.
When your child meets a new friend at the park, they are performing their role in your family ministry. They are reaching out with the love of God. Praise the Lord for the innocent, child-like faith that asks a perfect stranger if they know about Jesus! Our children’s innocence can be a huge asset to our whole family ministry. Discipling future disciple-makers in these moments looks like naming your kids’ role in the ministry. Remind them as you enter a park that they are bringing the love of Christ with them as they play.
Whole family ministry is what happens when everyone knows they have a part to play. It isn’t demanded or done out of compulsion. It’s an invitation to work together as a family for the glory of God in the special and unique roles He’s given us. Whether it’s by making a new friend, praying for someone at bedtime, sending a text, or engaging in a Gospel conversation, everyone’s contribution is valuable.
So, my friend, invite your kids’ friends over. Sit next to the mom whose kid is playing with yours at the park. Tell your children about the hurting world and God’s plan to heal it. Help them see that this is their ministry too. Because the best kind of ministry is one that the whole family shares.
by Her View From Home 
by Traci Rhoades 
by Megan Kewaza 
