The “VITAMINS” CHILDREN'S CLUB AT VALENCIENNES

School holidays are an opportunity to make an impact for eternity. The Ramparts Church at Valenciennes has since 2017 been organising a children’s club for 6- to 12-year-olds on four afternoons in the February half-term holiday.

This year we put more emphasis on sports in view of the Olympic Games this summer.

Our slogan for the club in 2024 was “a week of sports.” Discovering the Bible, games, handcraft, surprises, snack and of course fun were all on the program(me).

The club was designed for church children who can then invite their friends. It’s also aimed at parents who are not believers but want biblical instruction for their children. Church members who wish to get involved can always find a role to play, whether school or university students, parents, etc., since there is always a great need of assistance in preparation.

A bit of history

Church children had the chance to hear exciting bible stories during the church family services held by missionaries we had invited. This led to the idea of giving non-Christian children from our area the opportunity to enjoy biblical instruction given by the missionaries. We have such riches to share with other non-Christian children!

The first “Vitamins” club started in 2017.

The club was supported and guided by the church. Several members helped set it up. The first FPC missionaries were Pierre-André Devins and André Schwab, as well as Carole Placide, in charge of the AEE in the Hauts de France region. Since then we invite various speakers each year to teach.

Today

The “Vitamins” club is run by the pastor Tetsu, assisted by his wife Jeanne-Aimée with myself in the background. The church premises can hold at most 15 enrolled children. One challenge is to foresee the number of children expected from outside the church, since they often only enroll a few days in advance. That is a reminder for us to wait on God. Each time there has been a parity of church children and those from outside.

We have fond memories of all those children! In the meantime, several have grown to be adolescents. The gospel seed was planted in their hearts. The Bible reminds us how important it is to introduce children to Jesus. “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” (Luke 18.16).