Sometimes it’s easy to take for granted the things that just happen week after week, especially in a busy, thriving church like Inland Lighthouse, but make no mistake, nothing in our children’s ministry just happens. Behind every child who walks through the doors, every laugh, every lesson learned, and every soul reached, there is an army of faithful workers making it all possible.

So today, we just want to pause and say: THANK YOU.

First, to our breakfast team, led by the amazing Sis. Kim Vasquez. It’s not just toast and cereal. It’s ministry. Every Sunday morning, this team feeds dozens of kids, many of whom ride in on our church vehicles and wouldn’t have eaten otherwise. You’re not just filling bellies. You’re setting the tone for their entire day. We’ve seen firsthand how much smoother the morning runs when kids start it knowing someone cared enough to feed them.

To our check-in crew, both at the Coffee Shop entrance and in the Fellowship Hall… you are the frontline of kindness. You welcome each child with a smile, handle the check-in process, hand out Sunday School dollars, and somehow keep it all running smoothly. The decorations, the warm greetings… kids notice. So do we.

To Sis. Francis Abad, our Sunday School Store manager, thank you for keeping those shelves stocked and that store humming. You’ve turned reward time into something kids look forward to all week. And the best part? Every dollar they spend represents faithfulness. Attendance, bringing a Bible, inviting friends, giving in the offering. You’re helping build habits that matter.

To Bro. Baltie Lozano, who heads up our children’s ministry campus security, what can we say? You are dependable to your core. Always in place, always alert, and always with a presence that brings order to what could be chaos. Your consistency is incredible and we are thankful for you.

To our teachers and class helpers, from toddlers all the way through College and Career, THANK YOU. Whether you’re up front with a microphone or quietly helping with crafts and restroom breaks, you are the heart of this ministry. Some of you have been serving for decades, and your investment is paying off. You’re making the Word of God come alive and doing it with excellence.

To the ones who decorate classrooms, set up outdoor areas, and handle all the details that may never get a shout-out, we see you too. Especially Bro. Beto, who arrives early every Sunday to set up cones for the buses, the red carpet, the air dancer, greeting tables, and more. Week after week, rain or shine, you’re a Sunday School hero, whether you ever grab a mic or not.

We also want to take a moment to thank our bus ministry which is a massive and vital part of what makes this entire operation possible. From our incredible leaders Bro. Julian and Sis. Kim Estrada, to our faithful bus captains, drivers, mechanics, and everyone who helps bring children to the house of God each week, we are so thankful for you. Bro. Mark McVay has recently taken on the massive task of organizing all the paperwork and we are so grateful!

We are also deeply grateful to every saint of Inland Lighthouse Church who gives financially and prayerfully to support this ministry. You may never ride a bus or teach a class, but your giving puts fuel in the tank, food in hungry bellies, Bibles in hands, and joy on the faces of hundreds of children. Thank you for being a part of this work.

Finally, and most importantly, we are thankful for a pastor who believes in this ministry. Pastor Joel Booker doesn’t just talk about loving children, he pours this church’s resources, time, and trust into seeing this ministry thrive. His vision and leadership have created a culture where kids matter deeply and where children’s ministry is not an afterthought. It’s a priority. And we are all better for it.

Truthfully, this list could go on. And if we accidentally missed someone, please know it wasn’t intentional. There’s just so much that happens behind the scenes, and we want every single person to know that you are noticed and appreciated.

God has been so good to Inland Lighthouse Church, and one of His greatest blessings is this powerful children’s ministry team. Thank you for being part of what He’s doing. If you’re reading this and want to jump in and be part of it all, come see Bro. Phillip Booker. There’s always room for one more set of helping hands and a heart to serve.

Let’s keep reaching the next generation, together.