Carolyn Knight, left, Director of Children's Ministry at Downtown Mitchell First UMC, presents gifts to the family at Baptism. Photos courtesy of Carolyn Knight.

"Children’s ministry is like planting the seeds and watching God bring in the harvest. You are connecting children to their faith and spirituality.” These are the words of Carolyn Knight, Director of Children’s Ministry at Mitchell Downtown First United Methodist Church. 

Carolyn Knight began her ministry career at First United Methodist Church on January 1, 1985. After serving as the Director of Children’s Ministry in the Mitchell, South Dakota community for 36 years, she is entering a new phase of life retirement.  

Carolyn grew up in rural Wessington Springs, South Dakota. From birth to 6 years of age, she attended Lutheran Church in the country with her family and several extended family members, but the church closed. So her family attended a Baptist church in the country.  

She planned to attend college at South Dakota State University but those plans fell through. So Carolyn headed to Mitchell Technical Institute studying business. But God had a different plan.  

After marrying her husband Tim, and moving to Mitchell, South Dakota, the couple started looking around for a church home and found First United Methodist Church.

“It felt like home,” said Knight. “I began volunteering with the children’s ministry program, helping with the Christmas program and helping at Sunday School. It was a good fit.” 

The Director of Children’s Ministry at the time resigned and invited Carolyn to apply. “I really didn’t think that I was qualified. I was thinking I needed to get a real job. I applied and have now seen generations of families through the ministry,” she said. 

With approval from the Dakotas Conference and under special guidelines, Knight headed to Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary and obtained an Associates Degree in Christian Education. It was there she felt that her true calling was to children’s ministry.  

“God was at work. Cherry Dickerson Ferrie invited me and planted the seed. My degree from Garrett helped me to see all the ways that ministry could happen and why it was important to do this work,” said Carolyn.  

Lots of kids fill the chancel area for the annual Christmas program at Downtown Mitchell First UMC.

There are many memories of family and children's activities that Carolyn recalls.  A typical year in ministry includes fall kickoff, followed by Children’s Day—a time where children learn and lead singing, scripture, drama, prayer, and the congregation participates. Next is the Thanksgiving celebration with songs and giving.

Then it is the Christmas program which is a big event. Throughout Advent and during Christmas Eve service children participate in worship by reading a short devlotional and scripture, and lighting the candles on the Advent wreath. On Christamas Eve children recieve glow sticks and a special gift.  

January marks an Epiphany Party, complete with camel and wise men. Next in line are the Bible presentations to second graders. The Lent journey exemplifies the transformation of Christ with caterpillars turning to butterflies and a Lenten fair. Palm Sunday and Easter are times of pageantry, song, and visualizing the resurrection journey. Teacher appreciation was usually marked in April. 

Vacation Bible School, a major effort each summer, typically involves a range of 60 to 100 children and 60 volunteers.  

“VBS always has lots of energy. The kids love the activity centers and the upbeat music,” Carolyn said. "The Holy Spirt rocks at VBS!"

Bringing children to and leading camp experiences was a part of Knight’s ministry journey. She and partner, Cherry Dickerson Ferrie, started and served as deans at the Son Seekers camp at Lake Poinsett Camp. The camp targets children in grades one and two. Knight and Dickerson would also bring campers to Dayspring Camp for children in third and fourth grade

“Camping changed lives. We would bring 20-25 little ones to camp, lead the camp, and watch God at work,” said Knight.  

Teachers and volunteers have been vital to Knight’s ministry. She is proud of the team teaching model that evolved. Four to five people make up a team for each Sunday School class. Teams work to deliver a lesson and several other activities for each week.  

Second graders at Downtown Mitchell First and their team of teachers pose for a photo with their new Bibles.

“I have lived through the life journey of many members of the teaching teams. There have been people that have had babies, got married, and died during my time in ministry. The teams that developed were strong and made things happen,” Carolyn said. 

Each year teaching teams meet in August for teacher orientation. The training includes how to build a successful team and also the teachers are given a covenant to keep in their classrooms. At VBS orientation, center leaders receive their information, teachers of four year olds and pre-kindergarten kids receive their curriculum, shepherds for grades K through sixth learn their responsibilities.

Knight shares the success of the team model. “The team model really worked well. It gave people a chance to be part of a team and not be responsible for everything that happened in each lesson every week. It is great to see someone who says, ‘I can’t teach anyone,’ to evolve into someone who is inspiring a child’s faith.” 

Several of Carolyn's family members, children and grandchildren, attended a celebration of Knight's 36 years of ministry.

In retirement Carolyn hopes to spend time with her children, grandchildren and be by her husband, Tim’s side as he deals with Alzheimer’s as this disease progresses faster and he experiences some dementia.  Two of her grown children and their families recently attended a celebration of Knight's ministry at Downtown First UMC. Regretfully, her husband Tim of 49 years, due to his health, and her eldest Ryan son, who is serving in Iraq, and Ryan's family, were unable to attend.

In these last days of ministry Carolyn says, “Sometimes when life is going smoothly and wonderfully, we take our faith for granted. When difficult journeys come along, we are truly reminded of how important faith is. Giving our children a solid 'anchor' is so important, by helping our children discover and believe that Jesus is their best friend and Savior. “Jesus got a hold of my life along time ago and I am ever so grateful that I decided to say yes to this calling. I have truly been blessed.”