Children’s Minister

In 1957, my grandfather was in high school shop class, and he built my grandmother a hope chest. They were high school sweethearts and were married in August following their graduation in May. The hope chest, made from...

As the summer comes to an end, I enjoy reflecting on the special times we had in the children’s ministry. Our summer was packed full with events, service projects, and Bible lessons. At our annual Back to School Bash,...

At the beginning of each new year it is common for many people to set resolutions and goals with the hope of having a more productive year. This year one resolution I made was to find small moments each week for Leah...

Over the past week I have been reflecting on the past year and the ups and downs that we have faced as a family. 2021 has been a challenging year overall, yet there have been great moments of joy too. Below are some of...

On Sunday night, I tucked our son into bed and noticed that he seemed unusually fearful of falling asleep. I asked him what was on his mind, and he shared, "I'm afraid of the giants." I could not help but laugh (not...

Over the last two weeks, the Gott family battled Covid-19. Thankfully, we are all better and back at work and school. When I became sick, Leah and I quickly explained to the older kids how they would need to keep their...

Acts 6:8-10 8 Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people. 9 Opposition arose, however, from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called)—Jews of...

When Leah and I were in college, there was a song often led in chapel called “This is How We Overcome.” The song’s chorus repeats itself again and again, and the tempo is more upbeat, which had always made me smile...

“Just a minute!”  This is an expression I have to tell my children a lot.  I often get bombarded with requests to play, to fix something, read a book, make a snack, or watch something on TV. Many times, I need my...

In the hallway of our apartment there is a sign hanging on the wall that reads, “Choose Joy.” It’s a simple reminder for our family to look for joy, even when our week is busy or life feels slightly out of control. If...

For me, the days between Christmas and New Years always feel like time stands still. It’s a time when Leah and I reflect on the past year and focus on our hopes and goals for the new year. I have never been one to make...

I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and exult in you; I will sing praises to your name, O Most High. Psalm 9: 1-2 Each December, as the year...

Last week Leah and I received a phone call asking us to take in twin siblings, a boy and a girl. We immediately said yes, cut our Thanksgiving trip short, and returned home to purchase a van so that our family - now of...

If your family is anything like mine, then you have been adjusting to a new schedule since school has started back. Every night we are finishing homework, coming home from afternoon activities, eating dinner, and...

School is starting back and for the first time, Leah and I are also preparing for our little girl to begin kindergarten. This is a time that is often filled with such strong emotions - sadness that our kid is old...

Since we were not able to have the Summer Bash with the big water slides, we are bringing even bigger ones to the Back to School Bash! We are so excited to have a 27 ft and a 15 ft water slide plus a dunk tank so you...

This past weekend Leah and I took our kids to visit both sides of our family. We were able to attend our niece’s birthday party and then spent time visiting my family where we enjoyed swimming with those cousins. Over...

Over the past several weeks we have seen our country become polarized over the pandemic and wearing masks in public. No matter what your personal position is on Covid-19 remember our children are watching how you...

All Children’s Ministry July activities are cancelled at this time. This includes the Oak Mountain Boys’ Night, our July Service Project, and the Princess Party. As badly as we want to host these events, we also want...

Play: As a family create’s a hopscotch board in your driveway with sidewalk chalk. Take turns playing the game. See who can create the silliest jumps! Or, if you have a trampoline take time to jump together as a...

Below is a family devotional idea for you to use this week. Text a picture of your family fort to Eric! We hope you enjoy this devotional time together. Play: Build a pillow and blanket fort together as a family. Make...

Our foster children have lived with us for two and a half months and during our time together my favorite thing is to hear them randomly sing worship and praise songs all on their own. We listen to several different...

Pillows. Windows. Machines that turn on. Knees. Narwhals. Beds. Clothes. Dogs. Tacos. Baths. Bicycles. Sidewalk chalk. Eyes. Playing. Food. Blankets. Dinosaur. Scooters. This is the list our kiddos provided last night...

Over the past few weeks at home I have been looking for ways to implement more Bible time into our daily schedule. Usually our family does a nightly devo at bedtime with the children where we read a section out of a...