Build on Jesus: A Comprehensive Guide to Gospel-Based Children's Ministry

by Deepak Reju, Marty Machowski

Anyone who has tried it, even for a day, knows that children’s ministry is challenging. Pastors Deepak Reju and Marty Machowski have been in your shoes and they want to help. Drawing on decades of family ministry experience, they have a passion to help children’s ministry directors, pastors, and volunteers remember the “why” of children’s ministry and gain a fresh vision for the “how” of effective discipleship and proactive nurturing of the next generation.

As you recruit volunteers, organize materials, set up safety policies, and manage the many needs that come your way, you may feel overwhelmed, discouraged, and wonder if your ministry is even effective. Reju and Machowski have a passion to help those involved in children’s ministry remember that it’s more than just providing safe childcare so that parents can attend worship services; it’s about raising up faithful believers who love the Lord, stand firm in the gospel, treasure Scripture, and have a heart for others. These goals can only be met if the whole church is committed to prioritizing time and energy into disciple-making and sets proactive policies for children’s safety.

Readers will learn about highlighting Bible-based content, recruiting church members, planning for emergencies, and partnering with parents. Build on Jesus equips ministry leaders with the right priorities, people, and practicalities needed for fruitful nurturing and care of the youngest disciples in the church.

Genres: Parenting, Christian

209 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 4, 2021

About the author

Deepak Reju, MDiv, PhD, serves as the Pastor of Biblical Counseling and Family Ministry at Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington, DC, and is a contributing author in Christ-Centered Biblical Counseling and the forthcoming Scripture and Counseling. Deepak and his wife, Sarah, have been married over ten years and have five children.

Reviews

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

My endorsement: “Every church wants an effective children’s ministry, but implementing one is easier said than done. It’s certainly not for the faint of heart. In this book, Deepak Reju and Marty Machowski distill decades of experience into a practical guide for building a culture marked by excellence and molded by gospel grace. As a new pastor, I am immensely grateful for this resource and will be handing it to every children’s ministry leader at our church.”

[Rachel Dick · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very thorough look into Children's Ministry! Very practical and encouraging in the work that is discipling the next generation of believers.

[Basayre · Rating 4 out of 5]

The title and tag line tell you exactly what this book is about.
Whether you’re a pastor, children’s ministry director, children’s ministry volunteer, or parent, whether you are starting up a children’s ministry for the first time, need to revamp what you already have, or think you have a well established and well run children’s ministry, this book is an excellent resource. It offers sound foundational principles for effective children’s ministry, and helps the reader do a “checkup” on their existing program. No one gets everything perfectly, and there is always room for improvement. After reading the book I have a handful of action items I want to implement as a CM volunteer.

[Ivy Greenwood]

There are so many things to love about this book. It’s intentionally both full of vision and highly practical, down to suggested layouts for a Kids Lobby that capitalize on both safety and hospitality.

I have lots of small changes to stew on, and I have even more vision and passion for my ministry. A book that does both is always one I’ll recommend.

[Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read/surveyed this one. While it seemed to be geared toward large churches with an extensive children's ministry, this was still chock-full of valuable advice for any Sunday School class or youth ministry. It starts by reviewing the main goals of ministry (a helpful corrective to many kids' ministries). Part 2 is about the adults who are involved in this ministry, including the pastor, church members, and parents. Then Part 3 gets practical: safety from predators, emergency plans, classroom management. Lots of good stuff.

[Andrew Watkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

For practical help, pastors should read everything Deepak Reju has a hand in writing.

[Jon Merkling · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read most of the books on Kid’s Ministry and this is by far the best!!

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

must read for children's ministry leaders

[Mark French · Rating 5 out of 5]

This source helps guide readers to the details needed for kids ministry which point to the overall goal of Christ’s kingdom. A huge benefit of this book is that the glamour is put as a last priority while making the core details primary: “safety” and “substance,” all built on the identity of Christ.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

An exceptional book for those involved in ministry to children in the church. The authors start not with the practical realities of ministry, but with the theological foundations that underpin it, reminding us that the Gospel is good news for children and must be the guiding force behind all that we do. The middle section (dealing with the roles, responsibilities, and needs of the people in children's ministry) and final section on practical "how-tos" are extremely helpful and encouraging. I'm looking forward to passing this book along to the elders at our church, as well as our coordinators and teachers in the children's ministry. Highly Recommended.

[Jake · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good! Chapter two is a must read for every member in your local church.

[Casey Lester · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every believer who serves in children's ministry needs to read this book!

We don’t have a choice but to teach the gospel because eternity hangs in the balance. This book has completely transformed my thinking in what it means and looks like to be back serving, teaching and loving on our children. Looking at this responsibility as a privilege and not as a duty or requirement or something that’s forced on me because I’m married to someone who is on staff has freed me to fully dive deep into loving and caring and being genuinely excited to teach, love, and care for both the kids who come into our children’s ministry on Sunday’s and Wednesday’s.

This book doesn't stop at investing in the children, but also investing in their parents. It gives insight in helping to encourage and equip the parents to be the primary disciplers to their children.

[Jenny Witkowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a practical resource for those involved in children's ministry. Whether you're just starting to build a ministry or have a well established one, this book gives a great framework for how to establish a ministry built on the foundation of the gospel. As someone who has helped with children's ministry for years, I appreciated the reminder and exhortation that the goal of children's ministry is to make disciples. Each chapter has helpful examples and advice that can be implemented immediately. You can read the book straight through or jump to specific topics of most relevance for your needs.

[Teresa Yost · Rating 5 out of 5]

For an average church member, this book can be extremely encouraging and/or a frightening eye opener. The practical wisdom and insights offered help to quickly discern between a gospel-based children’s ministry that cares deeply for stewarding the next generation or one that is fraught with unnecessary risks. The balance of thoughtful wisdom and administrative strategy is conveyed with an abundance of grace and honesty. If you are an average member like myself or responsible for any aspect of children’s ministry, I highly recommend reading what Reju and Machowski have complied.

[Seth Asher · Rating 4 out of 5]

A mostly helpful book on most aspects of children's ministry; a strong starting point and helpful resource on all fronts for children's ministry leaders. Held back a star because I found myself wishing for more resources and more acknowledgment of other Christian traditions out there. Those who play in the mid- Atlantic conservative evangelical sandbox will be right at home with Marty and Capitol Hill; I would have liked them to mention resources across denominations and factor in congregations with different liturgical styles. All told, though, very solid resource for any church.

[emma jordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

So far I’m loving everything Deepak Reju puts out—books, podcasts, I want it all!

This is another great example of a valuable resource that is comprehensive, while remaining conversational. Very easy to read, and full to the brim of both practical guidance and the theological foundation for that wisdom. I love that the gospel mission of children’s ministry is at the forefront of this book’s message, but the method of implementing that mission is not lost—it is clearly expressed through real life examples.

[Josh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whether you're a newbie, veteran, pastor, director, lay leader, or involved parent, this is a fantastic overarching resource for Children's Ministry. It is thorough, comprehensive, and Gospel-centered and should be within quick reach of anyone who is involved in Children's Ministry. I've read many books on Children's Ministry and if I could have only one, this would be it.

[Rachel Menke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderfully helpful! This isn’t just a must read for children’s ministry directors! It’s a must read for lead pastors, elders, parents, church members, and anyone in the church because this is the call of every Christian! Machowski and Reju lay out a helpful mix of logistics and theory but all in a way that is encouraging no matter how big or small of church (or church budget) you may have!

[Jared · Rating 5 out of 5]

Build on Jesus has a biblical foundation and includes ready-to-implement counsel for ministries and classrooms. But the strength of this book is Marty and Deepak’s conviction that God uses people—pastors, the children’s minister, church members, and parents—to proclaim his glory to the next generation. This focus is why I’ll be reading Build on Jesus with children’s ministry leaders for many years.”m

[Chelsea · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a children's director, I greatly appreciate this biblical, thorough, and practical resource. Written by family pastors who are in the trenches themselves, they have an accurate grasp on what this role entails and requires. While much of this book was familiar terrain, I also found new ideas to implement. Will be recommending to others.

[Ivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m biased since I helped edit this book, but I’m impressed with its sheer scope and practicality. I think the combined decades’ worth of experience from the authors shows up on every page. A wonderful resource for the church!

[Joshua Reichard · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a Clear and helpful book on Children’s ministry! I highly recommend to anyone involved in church Children’s ministry. Gospel focused, safety of children expected and organization is key! Five stars hands down.

[Madi Feghali · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helpful and informative for church planters and churches that have been around for decades! It pinpointed areas of kids ministry you may have never thought about before, and personally it has brought many changes in our own ministry! Thankful for this resource

[Kaity · Rating 4 out of 5]

A must-read for all people involved in children's ministry. I picked this up for my Capstone class for my final class in college to be a children's director. This book is exactly what I needed and gave me a lot to consider and think about for my future career.

[Jacob Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very practical and helpful. I am inspired to get to work on our children's ministry.

[Jacob Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very practical and helpful.

[SarahReadsBooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was an excellent book on children's ministry.

[Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’re in children’s ministry, I can’t recommend this one enough. Great on the basics, the personnel, and the details of establishing and maintaining a healthy ministry.

[Mark A Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic, carefully constructed resource for all children’s ministry. Highly recommended!

[Grace Devine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Had to read for work but it was a good read. Helpful and practical