Day that will live forever

Yesterday I had the great honor of baptizing nine great kids at our celebration service. It was a bit of a stress as our baptismal tank in our new building was leaking and we had to find an alternative. So we drained our pool in our backyard, cleaned it up, set it back up in our fellowship hall (umm excuse me The Commons), and filled it up Sunday afternoon. Actually it was alot of work. I got pretty emotional as I baptized these kids, and then came my oldest son Blake. Wowzers - it was hard but one of the greatest things I have ever done as a children's pastor. I will remember this day forever.

Summer Camp

We survived the hottest week of the year so far at summer camp last week. Blake and I went with a bunch of other kids from our church to this great campground in Alta Vista, VA. We went horseback riding and swimming and did archery and went fishing and had some great chapel services. We hope to bring at least 30 kids next year! And yes I did do "the blob" and was launched into outer space. I always think of camp as a place where lifelong memories are made but also where God can really draw these kids closer to him. Two of our kids received Christ at camp this year!

Survival of the fittest

We made it through another lock-in! Almost 70 kids and a bunch of adults slept over at the church last weekend. This could be the definition of insanity. At any rate we all had a good time. We went roller skating at the Skate Center. It was a blast seeing Mr. Matty on skates and seeing some of our adults take part in the chaperone race. We played some great games like Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, Bible Pictionary and cupstacking along with some fun times like makeovers and watching the Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe at 2:00 a.m.

Of course the R2 D2 cooler was a highlight and being attacked in the ballpit was cherished memory.


PIC - CAMERON THE CATERPILLAR IN THE COMMONS

Multiplication

OK I hate to admit it. We have pet rabbits and through an unforutnate experiment of trying to divide the female from the males using mesh - the lady got pregnant. I was not real happy about this. A couple of weeks ago she had TEN babies. Sad thing - 4 died, but we managed to keep two of the really little ones alive using cat milk so we now have six pretty healthy baby rabbits. You know what - they're pretty stinkin' cute. They fit into your had and curl up there and sleep. I'm sure in a few weeks they will big and uncute and I will be ready to give them away! Except for maybe the littlest runt. We named him Bunnicula after a famous kid's book.

Why are animals always so fun and cute when their little babies and then they grow up to be not so interesting. Maybe that's why I work with children!

Another lock-in

I can't believe that it is already time to have another lock-in. Break out the Mountain Dew! Somebody call Starbucks!

Seriously we have fun night planned and the cost is only $15 apiece! We are going to the Skate Center for a couple of hours this year!

This is a picture of me crushing the competition in cupstacking last year.

We need more adult help. If you go to Parkway call me today!

The event will be held on Friday, May 26th until Saturday morning, May 27th.

My great wife

She's a beauty! This was taken in September of 2005 on our cruise celebrating our 10th anniversary.

Photo of me and Smudge

Hello and hola

Hi,

This is the official blog of Pastor Marty Martin, Children's Pastor at Parkway Wesleyan Church in Roanoke, VA. I have been a Children's Pastor for like 15 years now! I love kids and believe that the best way to make a change for the better in the world and the world still to come is to invest in the lives of kids in the name of Christ. This blog will show some of what we do in Kid Zone (the "official" name of our children's ministry), Kid Kove (where we hold church for kid's - see above photo), Awana and other fun events. It will also be place for me to post some of my ideas and thoughts about working with kids and families as well as lots of personal stuff. Yes I will post family vacation photos!!

Let me know what you think!

God bless!

MM

My kids

My kids - Blake age 8 and Tanner age 6. Nice smiles boys!