Ministry Monday: How to transform playdates into service opportunities

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Welcome to Ministry Monday at Hive Resources! This series is for everyday women who minister through the everyday mission fields of life. Posts feature resources and ideas for discipleship, outreach events, women’s ministries, Bible study, hospitality, and more. Subscribe today!

Today I’m over the moon. I get to introduce you to the latest ministry endeavor of foodie & missions blogger Nive Burris – Playdate with Purpose. This awesome ministry idea helps moms redeem their playdates by extending playtime beyond the playground and into the mission field. Playdate with a Purpose (PWP) teaches kids to serve, encourage and build their community for Him.

Through PWP, Nive and her crew have fed under-resourced students, assembled care packages for the homeless (which they named “happy sacks”). They sent & prayed over thank you packages for U.S. troops overseas, wrote Valentine’s cards and gave away goodie bags to victims of domestic abuse, and more. Here’s Nive to tell you how YOU can teach your kids to serve others:

Hive Resources: How did you come up with the idea of Playdate with Purpose (PWP)?

Nive: Almost 2 years ago, we moved to the suburbs. New community, new school and a new schedule made getting together with our friends challenging. One day I was looking at our school schedule, and I noticed that almost every month there is at least one week-day holiday. I had an epiphany; I marked all those days as future playdates. During all this time God was also molding my heart to step out of comfort zone to serve Him. Playdate with Purpose was born!

Hive Resources: What’s Playdate with Purpose all about?

Nive: When there is an opportunity to serve, many questions can come to mind of a family with young kids: “Are kids allowed? Should we take the kids with us or find a babysitter? My kids are a handful and will cause distraction.”

We question if our kids can be a good servant of God, being as little as they are. I think there is a need of wise discernment regarding safety of little kids running around; however, mere inconvenience and distraction alone should not be the reason to not bring the kids along to serve.

PWP is an endeavor where kids can watch and serve along with their parents and friends, all the while having fun with playdate.

 

Hive Resources: What has been your favorite Playdate with Purpose?

Nive: We made care packages for the homeless. It has left lasting impression on our kids. My son does not forget to pray about the homeless ever since. Both of our kids keep an eye on the road as we drive. My son reminds me pretty much regularly before getting into the car to keep a care package in the car with us.

 

Hive Resources: What age-range works best with Playdate with Purpose?

Nive: I personally do not put the burden of age on PWP. Although older children will have a better understanding of service, we have done PWP with less than year-old babies all the way up to third graders.

 

Hive Resources: What logistics are involved in Playdate with Purpose?

Nive: Start with the 3 P’s: Pray, Plan and Playdate (in that order!)

• Pray

Pray that God shows you the need and purpose for the playdate.

• Plan

Plan the details with your family and friends, as you communicate the purpose, time, place and activities. Sign up genius could be a good tool to communicate with. Leave room for creativity, messiness and imperfection. I really mean it.

• Playdate

Host a playdate at your home, park, pool or any other place that works for you. Make it BYOL (Bring Your Own Lunch) or meet over the ice-cream or FroYo or pool party. Keep it simple, easy, low key, and most of all, honorable to God.

 

Hive Resources: If I wanted to host my own PWP, what should I do first?

Nive: Pray first. I’ve discovered that the rest falls in place according to His will and purpose. Don’t hesitate to leave details unspecified. PWP is not about doing things perfectly or checking off a master to-do list. It is about doing His will joyfully with an earnest, servant heart in the time and manner that He allows and bringing glory to Him.

Nive Burris is a cook /author/ explorer/ dreamer/ dinner table missionary/ web master of Handful of Joy. She lives in the big beautiful state of Texas with her two children and a very hard working husband. An inquisitive traveler, cooking gives Nive an opportunity to explore the world from her kitchen. As her faith in Christ has grown, Nive’s has tried to combine her passion for cooking with her love for the Great Commission. You can also catch a glimpse of her intentional yet imperfect pursuit to serve her Lord at Playdate with Purpose.

You can also connect with Nive on FB or twitter.

 

Today, I’m linking up with: