I was blessed to grow up in a house where Sunday morning meant you got up and went to church. It didn’t matter if you had a busy day, were out late on a Saturday night, or if you had plans Sunday afternoon. Sunday was the Lord’s Day, and church is where we always were. Both of my parents were taught this way. I had great role models in them and in my greatest generation grandparents on both sides. I didn’t really know anything different. I was back at church on Sunday night, Wednesday night, and lots of other times in between as well. I was engaged early in children’s ministry, youth ministry, and was even active some during college. I know not everyone is that lucky. Glory to God from generation to generation!
My husband, Scott and I were married in 2005 and I moved to Columbia, not knowing a soul besides my new spouse and the familiar walls of St. John’s that we had visited while we dated. One Sunday in 2007, I looked around and realized there were a lot of other couples our age that were newly married, engaged, or dating, and with a little nudge from a few members of Commitments, Connections was formed. This group has been a blessing to us and many others. People crave the feeling of belonging and this is a way we really were able to get to know so many others outside of the walls of the church as carefree newlyweds. Glory to Him from generation to generation!
We were blessed and surprised with our own children in 2009. Two at once is quite a challenge, but we didn’t know any different. The Connections group was such a blessing bringing us dinners and loving on our new babies, and once they were old enough, we were back at church every Sunday that we were able. The addition of their sister in 2012 didn’t slow us down too much; third kids never nap anyway! We tried to get in the habit of Sunday School, but I struggled. I relied on volunteers during that time when they were younger teaching Sunday school, helping out with nursery and was able to attend my own class with my husband because like many in that stage of life, it is hard, and it is tiring! However, once I had “big” kids, meaning they graduated to upstairs classes, I decided I needed to keep myself accountable. God told me I should become a teacher.
I’ve always loved the little kids, and when mine were no longer there, I thought it was a great opportunity to find a place of my own. We think it was around 2016 that I texted Caroline Tevepaugh and Kelli Turnipseed and asked if they would be willing to join me. They still had younger kids in that 3-4’s age range, but I would be the lead teacher and they would be there to assist, and cover for those weekends when one of us may not be in town. But let me tell you if you miss a week, you get interrogated. I think we thought we might do it for a year and move on. We didn’t realize that our “Little Lambs” would end up blessing us more than we could have imagined. The faith of a child is truly remarkable, and it helps me remember how God instructs us to have that faith as well. We’ve seen so many kids “graduate” but that makes us excited knowing that they have a love of Sunday school and hope they will continue that journey once they go upstairs. Glory to Him from generation to generation!
Ashley Jaillette
Our Little Lambs class is among the happiest and most effective of St. John’s ministries for sharing Gospel faith from generation to generation. It teaches basic stories of the Bible, the joy of Christian community, and a love for Jesus as Lord. Your 2025 pledge to St. John’s provides resources and support to Little Lambs and all our ministries of formation. Please make your pledge by November 10.
Learn more about other important updates in the latest church newsletter: The Epistle – October 24, 2024