This week I want to honor another kids ministry blogger as the “Kids Ministry Champion of the Week.” Thanks for all the feedback after last week. Each Tuesday I will select a new champion and feature their blog feed in our sidebar.
Karl Bastian is a Kids Ministry Champion because of his massive resource website called Kidology. He has served for 15+ years in church ministry, plus he is a frequent speaker at conferences about children’s ministry. To top it all, he’s written a novel for kids titled The Order of the Ancient.
I first came across Karl when I was new to children’s ministry. It was my first week at my church and I found Kidology bookmarked on the office computer. A few hours later I had printed off a dozen articles and was well on my way. I kept coming back to his website for practical resources and the amazing forum support.
I think his personal mission statement sums it up:
Karl’s Mission Statement: To Reach and Teach as many children as possible with the Good News of God’s Love, and in the process to Enlist, Equip and Encourage others to do the same.
When our website started growing, Karl contacted me several times to offer his support and encouragement. He is clearly committed to helping others fulfill their calling to reach kids too. He is a gracious, humble, and passionate follower of Christ. So, check out his personal blog, his main website, and follow him on Twitter.
Thank you Karl for being an advocate of Kids Ministry.
You can leave a comment below to share what Karl’s ministry has meant to you.
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I totally agree with this Honouring! My ministry was blessed and sourced by Kidology for YEARS, before I had the pleasure of meeting Karl in person! From what I know of him, he is everything that is said of him! He truly cares about kids… and those who lead them – That is a passion I can support! Thanks Karl!
I just found this post and am simply honored, and kinda feel like I shouldn’t even post to it, but I do want to say thank you to Tony – I see so much of myself in him, and you too Wayne and Todd. I remember when I was doing this “Internet thing” and no one knew what I was talking about and I had to explain it to people! (I was on AOL when it didn’t have hyperlinks and you had to choose between the Gopher and Veronica networks… I know, most people go, “Huh?” There WAS NO “www” yet! Yup, I’m OLD!) But I just love pioneering this Internet thing to equip and encourage people and help other reach and teach kids! And I love even more seeing guys like Tony come along and have it so much easier to do the same! And any way I can help or encourage them, I love it! Especially when I see an openness to help, a teachable spirit and don’t see a competitive spirit that shuts out those who have come before them. I am cheering you on Tony! (and you too Wayne!) and you Todd and all of you who may be reading this who are looking for creative ways to reach and teach kids and encourage others to do the same with a team spirit!
Thanks for your comments. Next time we hang out I’ll buy you a Mountain Dew!
Karl is not only my boss in Kidology but he s a personal friend. I first found Karl from a distance when I first started in cm and used his newsletters and site when it came online.
I could write a book on how much this man has helped me, been there for me and my family, and set such a great example in many ways. I definitely think Karl is one who deserves to be in the list of the greats. Karl was using the internet before the internet as really popular.
I feel myself gearing up to write that book so I will stop now and just say, this was a great choice to have Karl as part of this list.
What phrase would I use to describe Karl? “Rockstar of the Kidmin community.” Just kidding, well not really. Like Tony, I stumbled upon Karl’s site and started taking advantage of the free resources. It wasn’t long before I couldn’t help but upgrade to the paid membership, and it has been worth every penny. Kidology.org is one of the finest Children’s Ministry websites out there today.
That said, one of the things that has impressed me most about Karl is his encouragement and willingness to help others in kidmin. I have never met Karl (though I hope to soon), nor spoken with him personally, he has been a great encouragement to me through interactions on the Kidology forums, blogs, twitter and facebook. He is one of those people who, even though you have never met personally, can make you feel like you’ve been close acquaintances for a long time.
Karl also has a podcast which people should check out. I’m sure it’s linked from the Kidology site, or you can search for Karl in Itunes. Make sure you go back and listen to all the episodes.
Great pick this week Tony! You’re 2 for 2 so far. :) At the end of last year, Anthony Prince (from WestCoastCM – http://westcoastcm.wordpress.com/) did a series of five people from kidmin that he wanted to meet in 2010. If I had done a similar list, Jim Wideman and Karl Bastian would certainly be at the top. Keep up the great work!
I wanted to start this series with a few obvious champions. Along the way I’m going to pick up a more under rated advocates too. Jim & Karl would make most everyone’s top 5.
The real question is who’s next . . .