“Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be established.” —Proverbs 16:3

When we plan and prepare for Sunday School—be it for adults, high school youth, or children—we know the first step is prayer. It is foundational for all curriculum choices, programs, and activities. 

Our small church, situated under the towering James River dam, is committed to sharing the Gospel intentionally with all our members and guests. One way we carry out this commitment is by offering classes for instruction, a natural way for folks to get involved in small group discussion, activities, fellowship, and prayer with one another.

One of our goals is to make our education multi-generational for children, so the children have an experience of partnering with trusted adults weekly in their classrooms that will translate to a warmer and closer fellowship during worship services together. 

To create this atmosphere, we divide the children into similar age classrooms, with steady, yearlong teachers. But we also pair the classrooms with senior adult prayer partners, who attend opening sessions, get to know the children, and visit the classrooms for special prayer times together. Prayer partners keep a classroom list, regularly praying for their assigned students and parents and making a point to chat with the children during the coffee fellowship hour after class. Teachers feel supported, cared for, and spiritually protected during their time as leaders. Children see that many members of the church have committed to helping them have a wonderful experience weekly and learn to respect and care for them.

Prayer partners have also participated in our annual Christmas Program, rounding out the cast of manger visitors. Biblical adult characters surround the children acting out the Christmas story and provide prophetic voices that ring with clarity and energy amid the children’s songs, presentations, and costumed Nativity. Prayer partners show up at packing parties for Operation Christmas Child or packing food for the hungry around the world. The children learn to look for their special prayer partners all over the church and see their commitment to godly living. 

Praying together, learning together, serving together, and fellowshipping together as a church body has strengthened our congregation as we all live and grow in Christ!

“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” —Colossians 3:23-24

Mary Berntson calls Jamestown North Dakota her home, for most of the last 29 years. Filling her homes with children over the last 40 years with a childcare business, she has had ample opportunities to minister, teach, encourage, and love many, many young families! She especially loves reading to tots on her lap and pouring the love of Jesus into their hearts. As a pastor’s wife (Steve) she also rejoices to minister to others at New Hope Free Lutheran Church, teaching children, writing Christmas programs, leading opening prayers, teaching Scripture and praise songs, singing with Steve during worship, and playing pickleball and frisbee golf for fun.