Children of God: Focus is on the kids

By LINDA M. LINONIS
VINDICATOR RELIGION EDITOR
Two youth groups based at local churches offer faith, fellowship, food and fun. And they're free!
The Youth Club at Girard First United Methodist Church, organized in 1983, began as an outlet other than Sunday School. The Rev. Doug Meek, church pastor for about 41/2 years, said he has been told church members saw a need for something more and took the initiative.
"They went for training and put it together," he said of the program. "It's been very successful."
Terri West, children's ministry director at Church Hill United Methodist Church in Liberty Township, said the King's Kids Club began about 31/2 years ago. Previously, the church had a national children's program. "I didn't think it was right to have children 'pay' to come to church," West said, referring to the fee assessed for that activity.
For West, it was in the timing. She had breast cancer and ensuing treatment prompted her to leave her job as a nurse. "This opened up to me. I really think God had a hand in it," she said.