Did you know that over 11 million cribs have been recalled since 2007? And 32 infant deaths were reported due to drop-side cribs since 2000? Ensure that babies are safe in your nursery with these insights...

I heard George Barna speak at the FAM Conference here at Azusa Pacific University this week. I would say that Barna is the most quoted voice in Christianity, so what he says--and what he believes--is important.

In just one day, 250 million photos were uploaded to Facebook and 864,000 hours of video to YouTube, according to fastcompany.com. We minister in the midst of a narcissism epidemic. “Look at me, look at me, look at me now!” People long to be the center of the universe today.

I just went to Group's Simply Youth Ministry Conference, and it was...amazing! While there, I got to think a lot about the difference between youth ministers (2,500 of them) and the children's ministers I'm privileged to serve.

To keep this from being a big comparison thing, let me just tell you what I love about the amazing people who serve in children's ministry (some of it is different and some of it is the same--I'll let you guess which is which).

I love children's ministers' maturity. And, no, I'm not talking about age. Hey, I've seen some pretty immature old folks. What I mean by maturity is a seasoned approach to faith development, family and child issues, ministry challenges, and more that surpasses how old or young a kidmin is. This maturity is a well-worn mantle of experience that engenders trust.

I love children's ministers' hunger for Jesus. At the very core of their being is an undying love for our Savior. I love that! And I love how that love propels them forward through discouragement and victories. I love how kidmins don't get distracted by "success" or "failure"; rather, they keep serving week in and week out because of faithfulness to the one they love.

I love children's ministers' noble attitude about learning. While I regard children's ministry leaders as some of the most educated and professional people around, I rarely find an "I know it all" attitude among them. I love how they're always eager to learn more and evaluate what they already know. Kidmins are always on the prowl for new and better ways to reach kids for Jesus. I love that!

Going to SYMC made me even more excited about our KidMin Conference in Chicago Sept 28--Oct. 1. I can't wait to gather with hundreds of amazing kidmins who love kids and families and most of all--Jesus. We're going to have a rockin' time--and learn tons--and grow closer to our Savior. Sign up today! Check it out at http://group.com/childrens-ministry/kidmin-conference I'll see you there!!

I love the small church where I grew up in Dougherty, Oklahoma! It was there that my first touch with a children's ministry (even though they didn't call it that back then) changed my life forever.

I'm grateful for the small congregation that loved me, taught me, and prayed for me. I'm grateful for the little ragamuffin choir that would assemble by the songleader telling us to just come up front. And I'm grateful for the ways this church embraced me when I came back from college as an onfire Christian who ministered to our youth group from ages 3 to 16!

I guess I'm thinking about this because I just read an article from the May/June issue about Small Church Challenges from Rick Chromey (on newstands in mid-April). And I'm thinking how grateful I am that my small church met all those challenges--and more!

If you're part of a small church and sometimes get discouraged that you're not Big Church on the corner, I hope you'll be encouraged today. Someone--like me--will sing your praises throughout eternity because of your faithful love and service.

What you do matters--in big ways!