Rosa Gillham, Director of Children's Ministries
Lower Division Sabbath School
Rosa Gillham has been very involved with children and children ministries for the past 36 years. Professionally, Rosa is a certified elementary and secondary teacher and has taught for several years. As a mother of two girls, two boys, and now four grandchildren, her passion for providing excellent programming for God's precious young people continues to grow. Her desire that children will remember the adults in their lives as loving and loveable Christians who are real with their daily growth of falling more and more in love with Jesus is greater than anything else. Jesus must remain active in our daily lives as we forgive and are forgiven in the process of building relationships.
The Children's Ministries Department regularly hosts leadership training sessions to equip the local church leaders to reach the precious children in their communities. Children's ministry specialists from across North America are invited to present and teach us how to use the most current and effective child evangelism methods. Each spring and fall several events are conducted, giving Children's Ministry leaders from local churches the opportunity to attend training with updated information concerning our children. Events include Vacation Bible School programming and NAD Certification classes.
The annual Soquel Camp Meeting Sabbath School tent programming is another ministry that Rosa coordinates. Each year individuals who have experience working with children are asked to lead programs for ages 0-12. Division leaders work closely with Rosa for staffing, program planning, and documentation for all staff members each year. The creative, Bible-centered programs the children experience each summer are the result of much prayer, planning, and the dedication of more than 55 adults, 35-40 teens, youth and Bible workers.
The hours of planning, praying, and hard work are all worth while when we witness the children's excitement as they learn the wonderful Bible stories and discover their best friend Jesus. The praise is given to our LORD for HIS guidance of His Holy Spirit. The opportunity to reach children for the Kingdom of Heaven is our reward. It is amazing to see how God blesses and cares about every detail of this ministry. It is a privilege to be involved with others who dedicate their time and efforts to share HIS truth with the children. Please share your ideas and dreams with Rosa. Together God will continue to bless our ministry.
Rosa's favorite scriptures are:
Then Jesus called for the children and said to the disciples, "Let the children come to me. Don't stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children." Luke 18:16 NLB
"Listen, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates." Deuteronomy 6:4-9 NLB
"I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to give you a hope and future." Jeremiah 29:11