Come and share the gospel message with children using creative skills such as puppetry, drama, music, and storytelling whilst receiving training in children's ministry! 

OM’s Kids ‘n’ Things ministry was established over 20 years ago, with the aim of presenting the Christian message creatively to primary school age children in the UK. Over the years the team has presented professional-quality theatre-style performances in primary schools at Easter and Christmas, with the aim of clearly presenting the Christian meaning behind these important festivals. At other times of year, during school holidays, the team runs one-week Lionheart children’s holiday clubs in partnership with churches across the UK.

What is a Lionheart Holiday Club?

A Lionheart holiday club is a five-day event for children, held in a church. Each day there is a fast moving, entertaining two-hour programme, designed for children to enjoy themselves as they learn the truth about God and about themselves. OM’s Kids ‘n’ Things children’s ministry team works in partnership with the church members to run the club. A Lionheart holiday club can be a useful event to bring in children from the community who do not usually attend church. Our aim is then to channel these children into the ongoing children’s work of the church. Although some children may become Christians during the holiday club it is often during the ongoing contact with Christians that children make a commitment. A Lionheart club is suitable for all primary school age children (4-11 years old). Some churches run a family service at the end of the week, which the children and their families are invited to.

Each day in the club begins with craft activities then we play parachute games with the children. After this, the main up-front programme takes place which lasts about an hour and follows the adventures of Lionheart, our main puppet character. As Lionheart goes on his adventures the children learn along with him. Each day has a spiritual theme, and all the items in the programme that day reflect different aspects of that theme. The up-front programme includes puppets, drama, mime, conjuring, action songs and so on, leading up to the bible story of the day. Each day's theme links to the next. At the end of each day the children do a "fun sheet" to help them review and respond to what they have learned too.

Learn and deliver professional-quality children’s programmes in churches with the team.

Dates	Saturday, 22 July - Monday, 14 August 2023
Apply by	22 June 2023
Cost	£275
Ages	18+
Suitable for

Ministry Details

Week 1

During your first week, you will be learning the holiday club programme, ‘Lionheart and the Ultimate Gaming Adventure’. You will learn a selection of basic skills needed to deliver the programme such as puppeteering and storytelling. The week will be busy, but by the end of it you will be ready to help deliver the programme.

Weeks 2 and 3

You will take part in running the Lionheart holiday club at 2 different churches.

Participant Profile

You will be a member of a small international team of up to 5 people. Experience of working with children, especially in a church context, would be useful but not essential. The main requirements are the ability to relate to children and a desire to help them discover God. You do not need to have used puppets before – training will be given – although you do need to have enough physical mobility to be able to kneel behind a puppet stage, carry some equipment and take part in lively action songs.

OM UK is committed to safeguarding all those we work with, and you will be required to provide the relevant documentation during the application process.

Accommodation

OM has a residential training centre in the town of Halesowen, near Birmingham. You will be living there with students from some of our other training programmes. You will most likely be sharing a room. Most of the churches we will be working with are within one hour’s drive of our training centre, in which case you will live at the centre and we will travel to and from the club each day. If a church is further away, they will provide accommodation.

Food

Meals will be provided. Please let us know in advance of any special dietary requirements (vegetarian, dairy-free, food allergies, gluten free, etc.)

Travel

You need to travel to and from Birmingham in the UK on the arrival and departure days.

Health

Participants should be in average good health and have enough physical mobility to be able to kneel behind a puppet stage, carry some equipment and take part in lively action songs. 

Notes

Applicants must be 18 or over.

Any health concerns will be discussed prior to acceptance.

As part of our safeguarding policy, you will require a valid enhanced DBS certificate which may cost an additional £20. 

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