Did you know that Christianity Explored has children’s material? Just like our flagship course, Epic Explorers takes children (ages 4 – 11) on an exciting adventure through the Gospel of Mark to discover the truth of Jesus.

Our team in the UK spoke to two churches who used Epic Explorers in their kids summer camps to hear how their experience was.

First, we talked to Will at Harper Church in Glasgow: 

What context are you serving in? 

The church is a multicultural church in the center of Glasgow. The team that ran Epic Explorers included those that normally serve in our kids’ church ministry.

What did you value about the material? 

The material is easily accessible and introduces children to the gospel message. It was helpful to have all of the graphics found on the Leader’s Area that we could use to make props and to advertise the week.

Were there any challenges you encountered when running Epic Explorers? 

Due to the lockdown and lack of access to schools, we had to work quite hard to find enough children. It was worth it, but more children may have attended during non-lockdown conditions.

Any advice you would give to churches/groups who are thinking of running it? 

It is important to spend some time forming a character that connects with the children and works with the Epic Explorers material. For example, a hat or shirt or some props can help the children to focus on the message that is presented. It is good to change activities before the children lose interest.

Then, we spoke to Ashley who ran Epic Explorers at St James Muswell Hill: 

What context are you serving in? 

Large conservative Evangelical Anglican church in North London.

In what format did you run it?

In person at a four-day summer club. 

What did you value about the material? 

It was really useful having most of the creative thinking already done for you. 

Were there any challenges you encountered when Epic Explorers? 

The challenges are usually interpreting the material and then the work of creating the resources needed and finding the team.

Any advice you would give to churches/groups who are thinking of running it? 

Just go for it. Consider running it as a group of gospel partnership churches so you can share the cost and resource preparation. You could rotate around the churches so one runs it at Easter, another in May, another at the start of the summer and another at the end and so on, with all the materials and props going from church to church.

If your church is looking for children’s material for Sunday schools, vacation Bible schools, afterschool or summer camps, check out Epic Explorers!