Show notes
You don’t have to have all the right answers to help a child know Jesus—you just need to be willing to listen, ask questions, and create space for them to be heard.
Episode Summary
How do we help kids develop a faith that becomes truly their own?
Talking with kids about Jesus can feel intimidating. We worry about saying the right thing, answering hard questions correctly, or teaching them everything they need to know. But Children’s Ministry Director Ellie Fowler believes some of the most meaningful spiritual conversations begin when adults stop worrying about having all the answers and simply listen.
Ellie joins Willow for a fun and thoughtful conversation about creating safe spaces where kids can ask questions, explore faith, and discover who Jesus is for themselves. Rather than underestimating children or simplifying faith because we assume they won’t understand, Ellie encourages us to value their curiosity, invite their questions, and give them a voice in spiritual conversations.
Ellie also shares how her own faith journey has shaped the way she approaches ministry. Growing up, faith often felt black-and-white and focused more on rules than relationship. Eventually, she had to decide for herself what she believed—a reminder that while we can teach, model, and plant seeds of faith in children, ultimately their relationship with Jesus has to become their own.
At the heart of Ellie’s work is a desire to create spaces where kids feel safe, loved, heard, and free to be themselves. Whether she has years to invest in a child or just one Sunday morning, she asks: How can I be Jesus to this child in the time I have?
If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re doing enough to shape a child’s faith, this episode will remind you that you don’t have to be a pastor or theologian. Listen. Ask questions. Love them well. And trust God with the seeds you’re planting.
Meet Ellie Fowler
Ellie Fowler is the Children’s Ministry Director at Christ the King Church in the Pacific Northwest. Before stepping into ministry, Ellie studied early childhood education and attended beauty school with dreams of working at Disneyland’s Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. Today, she combines her love for kids, creativity, and faith to help children know Jesus and feel deeply valued.
Ellie loves glitter, Disney, colorful hair, tattoos, CrossFit, and creating spaces where kids can show up exactly as they are. Through her work, she’s discovered that one of her God-given gifts is simply loving other people’s children and being fully present with them.
Key Takeaways
- Listen before you teach: Kids don’t need you to have a perfect theological answer. They need adults who take their questions seriously.
- Ask questions about faith: Instead of only telling kids about Jesus, ask what they think about Him and give their spiritual voice value.
- Don’t underestimate kids: Invite them into meaningful conversations and explain unfamiliar ideas rather than assuming they won’t understand.
- Let faith become their own: Plant seeds, model your faith, love them well, and trust God with their individual journey.
- Focus on who Jesus is: Rather than simply teaching kids to “be good,” help them understand the character of Jesus and let kindness and generosity flow from knowing Him.
- Embrace questions you can’t answer: It’s okay to say, “I don’t know.” Kids’ curiosity can deepen our faith, too.
- Remember that every moment matters: Even if you only have one hour with a child, you have an opportunity to help them experience the love of Jesus.
How This Episode Will Encourage You
You don’t have to create a perfect faith foundation for the children in your life. Whether you’re a parent, grandparent, teacher, coach, ministry volunteer, or trusted adult, you can create a space where kids know their questions matter, their voices have value, and they are deeply loved.
Sometimes sharing Jesus is as simple as sitting beside a child, listening carefully, asking a good question, and being present.
Plant the seeds. Love them well. And trust God with what grows.
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