A church in the Huddersfield area have been showing what successful mid-week ministry can look like, and how their children’s group has improved the life of the whole church. 
St John the Baptist Coley’s Hill-Top-Tots has grown from small beginnings to be a key part of the church’s ministry to the local area, focussing on the whole family.
Mornings open with free play and chatting for both the children and adults, before moving to a time of songs, prayers, actions and a story.
After this the group share a meal and enjoy fellowship together, with drinks and snacks available for all.
The success of this morning group means St John the Baptist now regularly holds a weekly after-school club for older children.
Anne Carter, one of the diocese’s Children, Young People and Families Team Members, visited, and said: “It was so exciting to see such a vibrant family of people discovering God’s love for them together in a midweek church setting.
“There are many churches across the diocese who are experiencing this growth in local family ministry and if any other churches want me to come along to support and/or develop their midweek ministry with Toddlers and young families, I will happily do so.”
The group has expanded the adult ministry of the church as well, with parents and grandparents staying after the morning for lunch and a Bible study or even an Alpha Course session.
Those who attend regularly have praised the group, saying it has “a loving atmosphere”, and saying that “God is here and families can experience his love and acceptance and develop their faith together.”
Groups like this help the diocese fulfil two of its strategy goals; goal 2, reimagining ministry, and goal 5, growing young people as Christians.
