Recently, on a Saturday morning, I went soulwinning with my three-year-old daughter, Annalene. As we knocked doors, she asked if her job could be to carry the tracts. After she managed carrying the tracts, she asked if she could ring the “ding bells” at each door. After she managed doing those two things, she asked if she could hand the tracts to the people as I invited them to church. About an hour into our soulwinning and with Annalene quite comfortable with her responsibilities, she told me, “Dad, I have an idea. Why don’t I get all of the ‘yes’ people and you get all of the ‘no’ people.” By this she meant that she should talk with all of the people home, and I should put a tract in all of the doors of people not home. Needless to say, we had a great time out soulwinning together.

Later that day, I was reflecting on the time that my daughter and I had shared together. I realized how grateful I am for the people in my life who taught me to make my family my first ministry. West Coast Baptist College trained us to keep our families first, but that is much easier said than done. Now that you are serving with your family whether it is on staff or as a layperson, you no doubt understand the challenge it is to keep your family as your first ministry. Allow me to share with you some things that were passed down to me by mentors in my life in this area:

• Date your spouse once a week. Schedule it. What gets scheduled gets done.
• Read a book on marriage with your spouse.
• Attend couples’ retreats and seminars as often as you can. It is much easier to get a tune-up than an overhaul.
• Spend one-on-one time with each of your children every week.
• Have family devotions (we call them “special times”).
• Serve with your family and involve them in ministry with you every chance you get.
• Model a Spirit-filled life for your spouse and children.
• Make big of the ministry and make it fun!

Noah did not have a lot to show by way of converts, but his whole family followed him. I certainly want fruit, but I refuse to lose my family! Keep your family as your number one ministry. You will be glad you did!