News & Views
Spring Harvest review - 8-11s
written by Liam Rowlings
published on 14th May 2010
With more than 550 children attending the “Omega Zone” in a medium sized venue, the image of a tempestuous sea of children shouting, praising and dancing to our Lord was breathtaking.
I had the privilege of being responsible for 14 little stars aged 10 and 11 who were part of the Red team. The name of our group was called Red L and with my name being Liam and it was my first time at Spring Harvest, my little stars nicknamed me: Liam the Learner. The children would attend one morning and evening session, every day expect for Sunday. The morning session would start at 9:30am till 1:00pm followed by a shorter evening session from 7:00pm till 9:00pm. The “Omega Zone” team had to be at both the morning and evening team meeting an hour and half beforehand. The morning session would consist of worship, learning, creating and playing whereas the evening session was more worship focused.
I was so blessed to have such a responsive and loving group of children who touched my heart. I think children are awesome because they have no worldly filter like us adults and as a result what they see is what they say. One of my little stars did exactly that. Our group was singing, dancing and praising to God, when all of a sudden came this little voice from one of the girls saying “Have you got big foot” shortly followed up by “Do you like having big foot”. I really believe that God speaks through children and we should be ready to listen, even if it seems funny to us like the example above.
All leaders serving on the Omega Zone were subject to a treat for their kind act of service to the children – kind of, if you think that children nominating leaders for a face pack is a treat (cream + something else). Our theme at the “Omega Zone” was studying the story of Esther and this is where the name “face pack” ties in with Esther being the queen. I was nominated for being too happy and smiley with one nomination reading “I want Liam to get a face pack, because I want to see him upset” with an illustration of a smiley face and unhappy face, after the pie. Of course, my group got their wish and I entered onto the stage with the biggest noise from 550 children, even from our rival Yellow and Blue team, I thought the roof was going to come off. I felt proud to step up and receive a pie with that sort of noise and was still smiling at the end – surprise, surprise.
I remember feeling really tired near the end of Spring Harvest, which is expected and seemed to be re-energised by the presence of the children, which seemed to bring a smile to my face, every day and every minute of seeing them praise God with their whole heart and mind.
The time had come to say goodbye and it was hard to say the one word “goodbye” instead I said “see you next year” because once you have served on the children’s team, you can never say goodbye – because you want to come back next year – one word of warning once you have served at Spring Harvest once, you have to come back – I don’t know why, but God does.
