Day 21 - 21 Days of Prayer & Fasting 2026

Day 21: Children: Leading for the Long Term

Scripture: "Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it." — Proverbs 22:6

When my family arrived at Faith Family Community Church in August 2017, the pews were quiet. On any given Sunday, there were only a handful of children in attendance. Contrast that with a recent Sunday morning: as I stood in the foyer between services, the building was humming with the energy of boys and girls everywhere. It was a beautiful, tangible reminder of how radically God has shifted the dynamics of our church!

This growth wasn't accidental. Several years ago, during a men’s retreat, God gave our leadership a very specific calling: to raise up the next generation of Christian leaders through intentional discipleship. We realized that children’s ministry is not an optional sideline—it is core to our mission. Early and consistent formation is what shapes a child’s faith, identity, and future leadership potential.

This vision has driven our strategic efforts across our campuses:

• Faith Family Community Church (Winter Garden): In the fall of 2024, we launched Winter Garden Christian Academy. While we are currently serving students in Kindergarten through 6th grade, we have exciting plans to continue expanding the school to serve even more age groups in the future.
• Perseverance Church (Pine Hills): We are currently making a significant impact by serving over 40 children every week. Our long-term hope and prayer is to see both a daycare and a Christian school launched at this location to provide safety, stability, and a pathway for long-term discipleship for families in the community.

In every context, children are navigating a complex world of cultural and social pressures. Our role is to remain a steady, godly influence. Faithfulness in children’s ministry is often "unseen" work, but it is the work that shapes the future of the Kingdom.

Partner With Us

A growing ministry requires a growing team of leaders! If you have a heart for the next generation, we invite you to be part of what God is doing. Whether it's rocking babies, teaching a lesson, or welcoming families, your presence makes a difference. Here are three ways you can be a part of what God is doing at FFCC:

1. Pray in Community: Simply being an active participant in the ministries that are happening, doing what you can to encourage the leaders around you, is a tangible way to make a difference. This ministry of presence coupled with faithful prayer over our pastors, leaders, congregation and outreach is a huge part of what God is calling His church to do. 
2. Giving of Yourself: Many people are so distracted by their own faults and failures that they miss the fact that others need their God-given influence. Some people are self-centered for other reasons: pride, fear, or indifference. God is calling every Christian to live out the self-sacrificial love that Jesus demonstrated (Philippians 2). God gives gifts to all people - time, talents, and resources - how are you using these gifts for His glory? Consider making a faith commitment to tithe to the local church today by setting up a recurring offering online: online giving.
3. Leveraging your Time and Talents for the Kingdom: We believe that the role of the church (and specifically pastors) is to "equip the saints for the work of the ministry." Each of our pastors and ministry leaders are actively looking for willing people who can step into the gap and fill a role in building the kingdom of God.
   • Children's Ministry: Connect with Megan Franco today and see how you can be a part of our kids ministry! A background check is required for all kid's ministry volunteers.
   • Worship Ministry: Pastor Matthew is always on the lookout for musicians and tech savvy individuals who want to use their talents for the glory of God! If you sing, play an instrument, or are good with computers, media, cameras and/or audio equipment, reach out to him!
   • Homeless Ministry: Pastor Flavio can connect you with our homeless ministry through Pastor Marcelo Forti. Every week we offer food to many of the most hopeless individuals in our community. 
   • Facilities/Creation Care: God has given us excellent facilities here at FFCC. If your passion lies in working with your hands, perhaps handyman work, light maintenance work or landscaping, we have opportunities for you to serve. Contact Pastor Matthew.
   • Outreach in Pine Hills: As with any church plant, Perseverance church in Pine Hills is exploding with opportunity. Everything from teens and children's ministry. to food distribution, to general facility maintenance - God is working through Pastor Remy and Carline. Ask them how you can be a part!
   • Be a Welcoming Influence: Do you love connecting with people? Maybe part of your calling is to connect other people with the overall community? Contact Karen Ragone about becoming a greeter! This is one of the easiest ways to serve on Sunday mornings. 
   • The Possibilities are Endless: We can never fully know what ways God might use you to expand the Kingdom. If you have a passion for a certain type of ministry that we didn't mention here, reach out to us and let's work together to build the kingdom of God.

Reflection:
How can you invest in the next generation today? Your faithfulness in serving today builds a foundation for a child that will last a lifetime.

Father, please help us to raise up the next generation! Help us to love the children as much as you do! Give us hearts to disciple them lovingly in the truth of your Word! Amen!