Indiana—At a time in Earth's history when churches are experiencing an exodus of young men and women, the 41-member Scottsburg Church is blessed to have in its midst Tabitha Myers and Kerri Smith.

In late Summer 2005, Tabitha, age 18, was impressed to start a program for the children in the church. She shared her idea first with her cousin, Kerri Smith, age 20, and together they presented their plan to Jerry Higgs, Scottsburg pastor. Thus, Kids' Club was born.

Interest in Kids' Club was high. Parental and church support was immediate. The plan called for meetings to be held once each week for 90 minutes. The first meeting was set. Children arrived early for the festivities and the air was thick with excitement. Sixteen children, ranging in age from two to 14, were in attendance. Favorite activities included crafts and Bible games. Simple stories and illustrations were used to kindle an interest in God's Word.

Recently, the group put on a play, and in late Fall Kerri and Tabitha hosted a lock-in, "locking" themselves in the church basement with 14 small children for the night! In Feb., the Valentine party was geared to teaching love for Jesus and for each other. The children are being taught reverence and are memorizing scriptures. They are learning to pray and to be comfortable in God's house. A visit to Kids' Club might find the children praying, singing, listening to stories, or smeared with peanut butter as they stuff pine cones with the gooey stuff to make bird feeders.

Tabitha and Kerri are third generation Adventists. Tabitha is a high school senior who works about 16 hours a week. She will attend Ball State University in the Fall to study nursing and is interested in hospice and bereavement care. Kerri works full time and is a part-time student at Indiana University Southeast studying psychology.

Asked what they receive in return for their efforts, both Kerri and Tabitha cited the great joy of being with the children and the satisfaction of making it fun for them to learn about Jesus.

"He who cooperates with the divine purpose in imparting to the youth a knowledge of God, and molding the character into harmony with His, does a high and noble work" (Education, p. 19).

To this work, Tabitha and Kerri have devoted countless hours. The Scottsburg Church is proud of them and happy to support their endeavors.

Mary Barley, Scottsburg Church correspondent