Kids’ Small Groups Outreach WeekendOn the weekend of May 22-24, Saddleback Kids’ Small Groups reached out to the community by serving with churches in Compton and Santa AnaKids’ Small Groups at Saddleback Church focus on introducing students to a relationship with God and what it means to be a part of a church. The students learn about character traits as the Bible comes to life in their small groups. Saddleback’s Christian Life and Service Seminars (C.L.A.S.S.) are condensed and made applicable to children.
 “In the kids’ Class 401, children learn about the PEACE Plan, writing and sharing their testimony. They also learn about what God is actively doing in different countries around the world through the mission fair we host, and they’re given the opportunity to put it all into action by participating in a local or global PEACE trip,” said Kids’ Small Groups Coordinator Shawn Hyde.
Taking action for Jesus
On the weekend of May 22-24, Kids’ Small Groups 401 students were challenged to share Jesus through their testimonies and service by participating in a local PEACE outreach in Compton and Santa Ana. Over 100 kids and parents traveled to Compton to spend the day painting the Sheriff Department’s Youth Community Center, where they host weekly programs to help get kids off the streets.
Saddleback partnered with a local church in Compton as well as some of the kids who regularly participate in the weekly activities offered by the youth center. By the end of the day, the entire complex was completely painted.
“My hope for this ministry weekend was that kids would be impacted in life changing ways,” Hyde emphasized. “I wanted them to walk away feeling as though they truly knew how powerful it can be to reach out to others in God’s name.
Creating a partnership
 The same 100 kids then traveled to Santa Ana where they partnered with a local church to put on a massive community outreach at Delhi Park. At the park, the kids cooked and served a meal to over 450 people in the community. By coming alongside the church in Santa Ana, the kids were able to help with games, giveaways, and spending quality time with people from the Santa Ana community. By the end of the day, four former gang members gave their lives to Christ!
“This was a life-changing, incredible weekend,” said one of the 401 students. “I will never be the same.”
Through this outreach, the students learned that they don’t have to get on a plane to go out on mission and make a difference. They learned they can reach out to those in need right in their own communities.
Future goals
Kids’ Small Groups ministry hopes to make weekend outreaches a yearly event and continue to build a relationship and partnership with the churches in Compton and Santa Ana.
“Our hope is that 401 students will be able to participate in more hands-on experiences and PEACE opportunities outside of the classroom,” said Hyde. “Next year we plan on sending a new group of students out on local and global PEACE trips.”
To learn more about Kids’ Small Groups or to register your child for the fall, click here or contact Liza at lizag@saddleback.net.
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