Summer Serve: Kidway Volunteers Needed

Although we have not been meeting in person for many weeks now, I would like to give a special shout out to all our dedicated Kidway volunteers who have been teaching our children at Gateway Church throughout this past school year. I know they miss seeing the kids in their group each Sunday and are looking forward to when we can meet again!

Kidway depends on many volunteers to teach the children in all our preschool and elementary classes at each of our 3 campuses. During the summer months, we have a special Summer Serve opportunity for new volunteers to serve in Kidway. This is a short term commitment during the months of June, July and August. What is it like to serve in Kidway you ask? Read on to find out what one of our volunteers, Jeanette Marshall, has to say about serving in Kidway.

Jeanette and her husband, Tony have been attending Gateway for about 10 years, and she has been serving in Kidway for the past six years. She has served with many different age groups but currently is serving as a 2nd grade small group leader at our County Road 9 campus. She initially started volunteering in Kidway because she loves working with kids and is so thankful for all the teachers that serve her own grandkids.

Jeanette loves to watch the kids grow in Christ. She shared, “One of my second graders is so very proud of his Bible. Once when we moved from small group to large group and the teacher began teaching, he asked if he could go back to class to get his Bible to make sure she was telling the truth.” Jeanette also shared that last summer when she served with Mission Possible in the Dominican Republic, she was so happy to be on that trip with some of the kids that she had previously taught in Kidway.

Jeanette says, “Teaching Kidway is like getting a spiritual pedicure.” Romans 10:14-15 says,

How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!

Jeanette went on to say, “Some ladies only get pedicures in the summer, but a friend of mine once told me, ‘Though no one sees my toes in winter, I still get a pedicure because it makes me happy.’ Teaching Kidway makes me happy as well. It is a delight to see and hear the kids worship God. It is a joy to watch kids grow in Christ. I am thankful for all the teachers who work tirelessly throughout the year and am glad to give back to my church in helping with Kidway.”

When not serving in Kidway, Jeanette teaches chemistry at Tiffin Columbian High School and serves with Mission Possible in their teacher training program. She also enjoys getting together with the Gateway Prayer Group in the summer when she is not working. She says, “I am happy that I can currently Zoom with them on Thursday mornings due to the current stay-at-home guidelines.”

When asked what she would say to someone who has been feeling a tug to serve, but who hasn’t taken the plunge yet, Jeanette answered, “There are so many joys that come from teaching kids. Don't feel like you are inadequate or have no time. God provides all we need when we answer His call.”