MPK blessings

We have been so blessed by an awesome kids' club at Mount Pleasant Baptist church. Our boys really love Sunday School and have made great friends there. The leadership team is so organized and has fantastic ideas to keep the lessons fresh and real. MPK stands for Mt Pleasant Kids and they are divided by age into STEPS, SKIP, RUNNERS and SPRINTERS. These names are inspired by 1 Corinthians 9:24 which teaches self discipline in your walk with the Lord. While having a great time, the underlying message is that it takes commitment and perseverance to be a true follower of Jesus. No one can win the race without putting in the hard work and training.  Our salavation is a gift from God but that doesn't mean that we should not be working hard at spiritual growth in order to fulfill our earthly purpose.

A lot of sport takes place on Sunday mornings here which is a real dilemma for us. We want the boys to be able to do both but that isn't always possible. This year Russell chose MPK over cricket as he just wasn't prepared to give up MPK for 6 months - that says something for the programme!

The fact that the kids are happy and well cared for makes our worship time that much better. Sunday morning has become great family time for us. Mounties has been a home from home. It has stretched us and nurtured us. It has been a place of refuge and support. It has taught all of us to run as if we want to win.

"Do you know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize."

1 Corinthians 9:24-27