By Dr. Ayodele John Alonge
Project Lead, Wonder of Worship – RCCG AGS Enschede

At the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Amazing Grace Sanctuary, Enschede, we believe that children are not just the church of tomorrow—they are a vital part of the church today. This belief found vibrant expression through the Wonder of Worship Grant, awarded to our congregation in early 2025 by Columbia Theological Seminary through funding from the Lilly Endowment Inc.

From Vision to Reality

Although the $1,000 grant (received as €938 in the church account) arrived a bit later than anticipated, it ignited a powerful wave of creativity, music, and spiritual awakening within our children’s ministry. In just a few weeks, our sanctuary was transformed into a dynamic learning space—where children joyfully played harmonicas, experimented with electronic wind instruments, and took part in interactive worship workshops that nurtured both skill and spirit.

We began with the careful planning and procurement of essential worship tools, leading to the successful installation of a multimedia projector and livestream camera. These tools became game-changers—bringing Christian storytelling to life through vivid visuals and helping children engage more deeply with their faith in both worship and learning environments.

Empowering the Next Generation

The heartbeat of the project was equipping children and youth to lead in worship. Over 20 children regularly participated in music classes and worship rehearsals, while 12 youth volunteers received hands-on training in digital media, graphic design, and church videography.

“For the first time, my son is eager to come early to church—just to play his harmonica and be part of the worship.” – A grateful parent

Weekly classes using the projector and smart visuals allowed children to engage in faith-based storytelling, while recorded training services enabled replay learning for deeper understanding.

A Worship Workshop to Remember

On Sunday, March 30, 2025, we hosted a well-attended public webinar titled:
“Empowering Parents and Teachers to Nurture Children’s Faith Through Worship”

The evening featured:

• Keynote Address by Prof. Kathy Dawson (Columbia Theological Seminary, USA)

• Session 1: Creating Meaningful Worship Experiences for Children – Jackie C. Sims, M.A. Theology

• Session 2: Building a Bridge Between Home and Church – Amazing Grace Ayegbayo, M.Div

Watch the full webinar here: YouTube Recording

“The webinar opened my eyes to how we as parents can help bridge faith between the home and the church. I left feeling empowered and encouraged.” – Webinar participant

Real Results, Lasting Impact

• Intergenerational Worship Deepened
  Children are now active contributors, not just observers. From music and tech operations to leading segments of worship, their presence has refreshed the spirit of our entire congregation.

• Positive Community Feedback
  From excited parents to proud teachers, the ripple effect of this project is evident. One youth mentor shared:

  “Our teens are not just scrolling on their phones—they’re behind the camera, creating content and engaging with purpose.”

• Financial Transparency
  The total amount spent was €970.97, exceeding the grant amount by €32.97, which the church covered. A detailed financial report with receipts was submitted as part of our final documentation.

Explore Our Gallery

See highlights from rehearsals, music sessions, and classroom learning:
Photo Album – Wonder of Worship Highlights

A Note of Gratitude

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Columbia Theological Seminary and the Wonder of Worship team for this transformative support. This project has not only elevated our worship services—it has awakened purpose in the hearts of children, parents, and leaders alike.  We look forward to expanding this initiative across more RCCG congregations in Europe and beyond.