• All three churches used personal invitation as the primary means of recruiting volunteers into ministry.  Two of the three churches never had the opportunity to make an “up front” ask in the adult service. My take key aways from that are: 1) we are blessed to be in a church that gives volunteer recruitment stage time in the main service; 2) TGA volunteers are one of our greatest assets and spokespeople, and we need to encourage all of you to invite people into the serving experience.
• We observed 3 different children’s ministries in action and found that where volunteer staffing ratios were not managed well, the experience was chaotic and the look of frustration on volunteers’ faces evident. On the other hand, where staffing ratios were actively managed, by a team leader who was freed up to shuffle volunteers around and call in back up, I experienced a feeling of peace and joy in the hallways as each child was warmly greeted by a well-prepared team. My take aways from that are: 1) we need to continue keep our volunteer positions staffed as close to 100% as possible, which means we ALWAYS need to be inviting people into the serving experience; and 2) we need volunteers to continue to arrive on time for their team huddle so that we can open classrooms on time with a full staff of volunteers.
• The most powerful experience was visiting the church whose children’s ministry team met 1 hour before the start of the service for worship and prayer. When we walked around the hallways during parent check in there was a palpable sense of God’s peace and order. Then, when we walked into each classroom’s teaching time, we observed children being prayed over and ministered to and kids enthusiastically engaged in worship. My take away: I want more of that for our ministry. More prayer. More God. More ministry led by the Spirit so that children’s lives are being transformed by the One who created them.

My favorite reflection from the trip came during our 16-hour ride home. YOU! We are a 300-volunteer strong children’s ministry that ministers to over 450 children every weekend. Each of you has been equipped and empowered to lead, shepherd and minister into the lives of children. You are children’s ministers who arrive on time to huddle and pray, prepared to be the hands and feet of Christ to children who need to know how much God loves them. You value their safety and know how to create a warm, inviting environment. One of my greatest joys is serving alongside you. Thank you for what you do!

I have one thing to ask. Invite someone you know (or want to know better) to join you in this ministry, to serve alongside you, to share in your experience. There is no greater privilege than to welcome a little one in the name of Jesus. Thank you for ALL that you do!

Jackson was diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumor several months ago, for which he had surgery. His first MRI following that surgery and treatment is March 17 at 7:45am. Please pray that the doctors would find no trace of the tumor and that Jackson would be healed!

Jackson is an amazing boy who loves God. As he was recovering from surgery, his mom and dad would take Jackson with them to the adult service instead of to TGA, but Jackson quickly put an end to that! He told them he wanted to go back to his TGA classroom. With the help of a special friend, Kristen Clay, Jackson’s been coming every week. Just like all of the other boys in the preschool classroom, he loves to get down on the carpet and play cars and dinosaur. When it comes time for the teaching, he’s right up near the front answering questions and is totally engaged in the worship time, doing the handmotions. He loves being there and has added a very special dimension to that classroom. Though Jackson has lost most of his hair and his ability to walk, what stands out most to me is his tenacious will to live. You see, I got to play dinosaurs, sharks and reptiles with Jackson one Saturday night in TGA. He wanted to be the alligator, which meant I got to be the shark AND the T-rex. And, even though in my way of thinking a shark clearly takes out an alligator, Jackson just would not back down. Though my T-rex and its sharp teeth towered over his alligator and my shark could wrap its jaws around his alligator, Jackson refused to be beaten. He ALWAYS came out on top, the victor.

God, I thank you for the “fight” you’ve put inside of Jackson, and his passion for life and his will to win. I thank you for bringing him and his family to The Chapel. Their faith and their strength is a blessing and testimony to us all. I pray, God, that you would fight for Jackson and be the victor over his cancer. All for your glory! Amen.

When The Chapel moved from the high school to our new building in Grayslake, Bob became one of our key leaders in the K-1 classroom. Then, as we launched a Saturday night service, Bob and his family became the key hosts of the after-service dinner we served to volunteers and their families. Every Saturday night Bob, his wife, Mary, and their family would make sure everyone had GREAT food to eat. To this day, despite Mary enduring two life-threatening battles with cancer, the Henrys continue to host many gatherings at their home after the Saturday night service.  

The Chapel became central to their lives, and they have given everything at their disposal to the advancement of God’s kingdom. They look for every opportunity to shower love on people through their hospitality, their leadership and their gentle demonstration of faith. Though having 4 children of their own, they reached out to adopt their precious little Jennifer from Quatamala. They are a family who lives the Word, especially that described in James 1. Despite many trials, they live joyfully and perserve in their faith.

Greg, a quite, kind, trumpet-playing 7th grader (after celebrating the Super Bowl win of his favorite team) is now on the greatest adventure of his life: he is livin’ it up with the King of Kings! Depsite the gaping hole Greg’s absense on this earth has left, the Henry family continues to glorify God in all they do. As Chapel funding fell short for the Community Care Center, the Henry family has asked that there be no flowers at the memorial service, rather they humbly ask that donations be made to The Chapel to fund the building of The Chapel’s new Community Care Center so that all people have a place to come for food, clothing and love.

Some of you have asked how you can be a support to this family. If you feel led, please make checks out to The Chapel. In the note section write: Greg Henry. All donations will go to the building of The Chapel’s new Community Care Center. Thank you!

Please be on your knees for a boy who grew up in our children’s ministry. Here’s the prayer request from his dad, Bob. Their family attends the Grayslake campus.

Prayers are needed for our son Greg.

 He contracted what is believed to be a severe virus infection that started out with flu-like symptoms Tuesday night. Mary took him to the doctor early Wednesday afternoon, where our doctor then rushed him to the emergency room due to hampered breathing problems. In the ER, his symptoms kept getting worse so he was sedated, attached to a respirator and transferred to pediatric ICU at Lutheran General Hospital.

 In ICU throughout the night, Greg’s conditioned continued to deteriorate. His lungs were unable to function properly so the doctors had to perform an ECMO procedure. This procedure allows the blood to flow into a machine that performs the same tasks that his lungs, kidneys and liver would do and pump it back into him. He is currently stable but in critical condition and will remain in a coma like state for the next several days.

 We are waiting on blood tests to determine what cause this extremely aggressive infection to occur.

If you come into the office to serve during the week, you’ll get to hang out with Kim, Krystie, Tina and Kirk, too! Now, that IS fun!

Please be in prayer for the Cribb family, as they make multiple sacrifices to answer this call into ministry.  His first official day on the job is December 1, but you might see him around on the weekends before then.  Be sure to give him a high-five and let him know you’re praying for him.

Welcome to The Chapel, Libertyville’s very own volunteer site for The Great Adventure. It is here where you’ll find out the inside scoop and important information going on for volunteers and our ministry.  Please subscribe to this blog so that you’ll automatically get the updates when they are posted (don’t worry, no more than one post a week).  It is at this website that you can also access preschool, K-1 and 2nd-5th grade lesson plans. 

Facebook.  If you are on Facebook, please friend me, Kim Huffman. You can also become a fan of

The Great Adventure (TGA), The Chapel, Libertyville

this is where I’m going to be posting some great resources for families or just sharing what’s on my heart.

TGA Christmas Decorating. It’s almost time to deck the halls in TGA.  Kids are crazy about Christmas, and we want them to be so excited to come to church.  So, please plan to stay after church on Sunday, November 21, to deep clean and decorate for Christmas.  We’ll be ordering pizza for everyone. 

Volunteer Appreciation Christmas Party. We’ve got a Christmas party coming up for all volunteers. So save Friday, December 3. Your whole family will be invited.

“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.”

There are a handful of volunteers who serve in The Great Adventure who will compete in the Chicago Marathon this Sunday.  A marathon is a 26.2 mile run that requires months of consistent and disciplined training and a great deal of stamina and perseverance.  Let us pray that they will run the race strong and feel the smile of God all the way!

Here are the runners that I know of. Please let me know if I missed anyone:

Eliza LaBelle, Volunteer Central
Mike Bullington, 2nd-5th classroom
Jen Neuman, Registration
Dena Klapperich, Registration
Bob Casey, K-1 classroom

Let’s cheer them on in prayer!

Ready . . . Set . . . GO! 

Thanks to all of our TGA leaders and frontline volunteers who carved out two hours of their night to attend “It’s GO Time” training this week!!!! 

It’s fall and many families, new and old, are coming to church, and TGA will be ready for them.  It’s going to take all 300  (150 each week) volunteers to bring our “A” game to the children’s ministry playing field.  Here’s what you need to know to be ready:

 Ready . . .
Team Leader/Experience Mgr: checks all teaching materials and/or supplies, communicates to their serving teams any pertinent information and confirms all volunteers. The day of the service, they ensure all materials are in place and the classrooms are set up.

Safety Team: sets up STOP signs & activates alarm

Volunteer Central/Check-in: activiates computers & check-in systems

Set . . .
Safety, Reg, Tour Guides, Volunteer Central & Exp. Leaders: meet 45 min prior to the start of the service for central Huddle & prayer time.

ALL FRONTLINE volunteers checked in & on their post by 35 min prior to the service. Smiling faces. Tour Guides armed w/clipboards.  Secure hallways. All “set” to check in families.

ALL CLASSROOM volunteers checked in & in their classrooms by 30 min prior to the service for Huddle & prayer.

GO!!!!!
All Classroom Volunteers: Already huddled & prayed. Greeter at the door. Activity stations manned.  Smiles. Eyes on the door. Ready to greet & include kids. DOORS OPEN!!!!!