21 children and youth lead Raleigh Church worship service

Twenty-one children and youth led the worship service at Raleigh Church, Tenn., on Sept. 26, taking on responsibilities from congregational prayer and music to preaching during the church’s second annual Children’s Sabbath.

The service, themed “Be Strong in the Lord,” drew on Joshua 1:9 and Ephesians 6. A 17-year-old delivered the sermon, while other participants led the call to worship, offering appeal, children’s story and Scripture reading. Four children led the song service with a young pianist, and two presented a choral reading of Ephesians 6.

The program aimed to encourage children’s participation in worship and help identify future worship leaders, according to Enesha Williams, a church member who helped organize the service. Participation was open to all children attending the church.

“It’s important that children see how much they can both offer and gain by serving the church and serving God,” Williams said.

Participants rehearsed for several weeks, practicing at church and at home with support from parents and guardians. The young preacher, seventeen-year-old Jackson Smith, also received guidance on Scripture and other material for his sermon.

Many participants were nervous about standing before the congregation, Williams said. One child and pianist, Crispe Nakalala, had previously declined invitations to play for worship but agreed to accompany the entire Children’s Sabbath service.

“He was willing to do it, persevered through the challenge, and came out successful,” Williams said. “I think playing for Children’s Sabbath, amongst other child-leaders, gave him a perfect opportunity for spiritual growth.”

Several children have since expressed interest in participating in future worship services, according to Williams.

“Some may even discover talents that they didn’t know they had that can be developed further with the right nurturing,” Williams said. “We hope that occasions such as these will be stepping stones to strengthening a child’s personal relationship with God.”