Mind the Gap

In the London Subway system, the Underground, curved platforms often cause a dangerous gap between the platform and the straight train car. Because of this danger, they use this phrase in print and in the verbal announcement: Mind the Gap!

Children in our church also face a gap.  This gap is the one that exists between someone else's faith, like a parent, and the development of his or her own faith. Some children cross the gap with no difficulties.  One day they are holding on to their parents' hands, relying on mom or dad's faith.  The next moment, they believe on their own, independent of mom or dad.

We see this illustrated in the story of Jesus, the Samaritan woman, and the people of her village.
Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in [Jesus] because of the woman's testimony, "He told me everything I ever did." So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days. And because of his words many more became believers.  They said to the woman, "We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world." John 4:39-42
As many in the village came to their own faith in Jesus, we want each of our children to come to their own faith in Him.  Believing that someone else believes is not enough.  Each must believe himself or herself that Jesus really is Who He claims to be.

Here at East Canton Church of God, we want each child to safely cross that gap! The gap may be when they move from elementary school to middle school, from middle school to high school, from high school to college - or any point in between.  And, this is more than just being aware of the gap. We have to develop a strategy to safely cross that gap!

In that strategy, we are seeking to call a pastor that will help us "Mind the Gap!" This is a role that will lead leaders of children and youth - our next generation - to consistently and effectively lead children from the Nursery to High School to come to their own faith and continue to mature as followers of Jesus Christ. Their eternity depends on it!

Calling a "NextGen Pastor" is a little different than typical approaches, but I believe that this is one more step that aligns us with the vision God has given us: that each soul in Northeast Ohio encounter the glory of God through the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Go check out our web page for a full description of this important - and exciting - role!  Then, pray that our church - and every church in Northeast Ohio - Mind The Gap!

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