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Shockwave
08-12-2007 | Christchurch Blog | Church | 07 Review »
Shockwave started with a bang on the 8th September! Over the last few months dozens of children have entered the building and enjoyed the fast paced madness that awaits them. Many of these children had come to Kidz Klub, Shockwave’s predecessor. But what they found when they arrived at Christchurch this year was very different! Kidz Klub served as a wonderful vehicle to take the gospel to these children but what we found was that there were not many opportunities to talk individually to the children. So we needed a format where our workers could interact freely with the kids without having to worry about telling them to sit down all the time!

So, Shockwave is much more manic in many ways! Gone is the big stage show, and instead we have rodeo bulls, bungee runs, gladiator jousting, a craft corner, tables and chairs to sit at, a snack bar, football, coconut shy’s, computer games...the list goes on! The difference is, as these kids are waiting to go on a ride or are sitting at a table or making a Christmas card our workers are there, befriending them, asking them how school has been, which ride is their favourite and so on. We have about twenty fantastic, dedicated, energetic workers who engage with the kids each month. It is a real joy to be able to watch the kids enjoy themselves, but even more of a joy to see these workers seeking to care for these kids in a way that demonstrates Christ’s love.

On the last bus trip home one of the girls who comes regularly was very upset at the idea that I was the only worker who got paid to do Shockwave. She was adamant that the others should receive pay for all of the energy and effort that they put into the morning. How wonderful it was to hear these same (exhausted!) workers reply that they wouldn’t accept any pay even if it were offered! They told her that getting the chance to tell her what Jesus had done for them and what he could do for her was the only pay they needed! Many of these children come from homes with little money, so what kind of difference does that kind of testimony make? To hear that money is not the most important thing in life, but Jesus is?

Despite all the hectic activity, the children also hear the glorious gospel, how Jesus Christ came as a man to die on the cross to make a way for sinners to be forgiven. We are making our way through Christianity Explored for kids, Shockwave style – pre-recorded sketches penned by Chris Jenkins have provided a way of relating the truths of who God is, why Jesus came and what that means in a dynamic, fun way! And this is when Shockwave works so well! Whether it be on the bus on the way home, while giving a child a Fruit Shoot at the snack bar or while they’re wanging a ball as hard as they can at a coconut, we get to ask them questions about what they thought. So we have the example of a lad asking me about his anger, and whether that was something Jesus died for! How amazing!

Thank you so much for the way that you give! It is because of your faithful and joyful giving that we at Shockwave are able to bless these kids and tell them about our wonderful Saviour! The meaning behind the Shockwave name is the hope that as the gospel is proclaimed to these kids it would affect their lives more and more. So, in the midst of the mayhem, the gospel goes forward.
Dan Gaweda