As there's a piano I had to play, there are computers I just had to scan for virus and run anti-spyware on. It's part of nature to want to maintain. Life's preserved when there's some effort. On second thought .. I think for my case its not so much an effort but more of a habit because I work in the IT department.

During my time away, I've been thinking of the Great Commission about how it can be done and what are our contribution to it. If George Barna (reference) is correct that kids moral development is established and formed at the age of 9, discipleship starts when they are in the children's church. I have had many motivation of children's ministry from providing child minding so that parents can attend the service right to because its hard to teach children so serious effort is required. Now the motivation has been to train them young to form them into discplemakers because humans are creature of habit. Fulfilling the great commission and making disciples require strong habits of following God, discipleship and church planting.

We are excited that God is bring much needed resources and people into the ministry. Our senior pastor's wife, Pastor Dinah shared the mother's Day message to our kids while I was away and it was a life changing time. We need to move from coincidental efforts to deliberate ones. God will partner us to bring about the work of changing the world through the seed in the smallest possible form in our local church.

There's an old piano in the hotel lobby I cannot resist playing. It takes only 3 jazz chords to bluff others that I play jazz but after a few minutes, its no longer about my self consciousness, I was really enjoying myself and nobody else cared. It just made sense to play regardless of who is listening.

We often think that people think about us more than its true. Yes, people are initially curious what we are doing. After that, they have better things to think about than dwelling on us. It is just so important we know that to overcome the first fear and get about doing things that we should do especially if its right that God intend us to do.

Lately i was reminded that investing in people seems like the ultimate right to do. Last night after Mei Si's class, she responded to my request to help me throw some rubbish I was holding in my hand. I couldn't resists to ask her if that act of helping me felt good. She nodded readily and added to tell me about the last time she and Chern Han her little brother helped to keep things away in the house and it felt good.

If it feels good to children and children's feelings is as genuine as it gets, it should feel good to adults too. It makes sense to help, give and invest in others.

The "Information Boat" (Booth) of the children's ministry center



Mr & Mrs Craig Jutila, pastors for All Stars, Children's Ministry of Saddleback Church.


Some friends in children's ministry I met amongst over 3 thousand who gathered for the event.


Pastor Kieun Yu is English & Education Pastor for San Jose Korean Presbyterian Church. Had a quick dinner, drink and fellowship with him before we left.


Eric Voris is the associate children's minister for First Christian in Phoenix. We are posing with California Oranges for lunch at Orange County.


One of half a dozen halls in the children's ministry center. Equipped with xboxes and arcade games


Landscaping around the center specially designed to tell 40 bible stories to children. Should have got the shot of the stone and tomb of Jesus.


A photo with a typical children's ministry leader. Amy Branley is a core leader in the All Stars Team. She's wearing a typical uniform on a weekend.


In Saddleback church, you can shop for the style of service you want. Cool but for those who hate shopping, hate making decisions ... not so cool..


How I got around with 3 USD per day. The All Day Pass is an excellent way to see the place.


Laguna Beach ...

It's the most beautiful place I got to hang out at one the afternoon after the conference.


Stayed with Pastor Albert and family for the last 2 nights there. Visited Hope Irvine (OC) for Sunday Service and it was a refreshing time. Great man of God and warm family.


Took a train early in the morning from Orange County to spent a day at LA before my flight at midnight.


There's the skyline around Beverly Hills.


American styled hot dog on the streets of LA


Street performer playing for loose change


Travelled on their neat subway ...


Americans of latin origin hit the streets on what is labor day to us to march for equal rights as citizens.


Spent most of my time at the LA Contemporary Art Museum because its free after five. The place is HUGE and I spent my most relaxed/reflective time there.


Never got a chance to catch the LA Philharmonic but caught a shot of their new home at Walt Disney Concert Hall.


I've learned so much on this trip which the most important is that children's ministry is not to be done. It is to BE. It is true we don't do church. We are the church. I'm grateful for this wonderful time of learning. It has opened my mind and heart to more of Him and in my abundant time alone, the Lord has made me come closer to Him. God is our good Father.

Thanks for all who contributed and prayed for me. I hope the seed will become a tree that it may be shelter to many more in our church. May God humbled me with new knowledge and the working out of it in our ministry.