Last week we published Part 1 in our series – A Spiritual and Digital Experience – on the pioneering work of the Sunday School Ministry at First Assembly of God Wortmanville (FAOGW) and its adaptation in the pandemic. We reflected on the leadership of homegrown youths who now manage the digital platforms for the gospel to be shared on Facebook, YouTube, ZOOM, Google Meet, and Instagram(and we may need a TikTok account – author’s suggestion). Today we want to share some real feedback from the teachers behind this weekly ministry which includes 38 teachers and +200 students (fluctuates during the pandemic)
Q&A with the leadershipChallenging times demand dynamic leadership, so our Editorial Team (ET) caught up with the Sunday School Superintendent and some teachers for a Q&A segment.
ET: What effort or mindset did it take from your side to continue leading the team of teachers on the virtual platform? What have you adapted?
Min. Norma Singh: I had to plunge myself into the world of technology. Fortunately, I had a dry run in the secular field which helped. I had to make use of what was available from in-person groups of 13 to virtual groups of 6. Age groups and class names were adapted and new teachers were assigned as necessary. I also had to adapt to the use of videos and other visuals to enhance the lessons for the beginners and intermediates. Coincidentally, our 2021 theme was “Adapting your Mindset for Growth.”
Editorial Team: How do you prepare for these weekly operations without in-person coordination, and how many teachers do you work with?
Min. Norma Singh: Preparation is intense with lesson plans prepared by the leadership team and cascaded to group leaders quarterly. Group leaders who manage between 2 and 6 teachers, with a total complement of 38 teachers are deployed in pairs to each session to ensure full collaboration and support of each other. I do quality control by visiting the virtual classes, using three electronic devices, and joining evaluation meetings to hear feedback. We also hold monthly Teacher’s Conferences to share feedback and improve.
Editorial Team: Some of your biggest learnings as a leader?
Min. Norma Singh: I have learned to delegate, delegate, and delegate and trust the team to innovate. I had done this pre-pandemic, but I do so more now.
Editorial Team: What has been fun (or have admired most) while you minister to our little ones virtually?
Sis. Samantha Edwards: (Beginners class, 3-6 years): I would not say fun, but probably what I admire most. It would be how easily they grasp concepts taught in a virtual setting, and that is with them sitting and staring at a screen. And when we get the question time, to hear them shout the answer and stay tuned in for an entire hour. To me, that is euphoric. Watching them learn songs, remember their memory verses, the lessons, and even the lesson’s principle is mind-blowing. It is mind-blowing because you would think their attention span is short, but to see them coming each week shows that not only is attention being held, but their interest is sparked, and they are learning. It is a joy to know that despite COVID and lockdown, we are still able to get the Word of God to them. We are even reaching parents, neighbours, guardians – anyone in the background who hears our voice as we have heard some parents getting excited to help answer questions. The parents’ enthusiasm tells us that they value the teachings and consider them important to the children and the family. Now, if we call this ‘fun’ then go ahead, but I love this experience of the virtual setup.
Editorial Team: How adept are they with technology?
Sis. Samantha Edwards: Considering their age (3-6 years), they must know how to mute and unmute microphones since they have to respond to a question or recite memory verses. About 9 in 10 can do this, and they have even learned to turn off their camera when they are doing something that teacher should not see (smile). Some even choose virtual backgrounds and use emojis such as smiley faces. The majority of them understand how to operate ZOOM and that is commendable.
Editorial Team: What has been the reaction of parents?
Sis. Samantha Edwards: I would say they have been very supportive since we would not have had classes without their support. We need the parents to help the children log into the ZOOM meeting, find scriptures in their Bibles, and recite memory verses. We are grateful and have had a consistent batch of about 8 – 15 students which speaks to the parents’ dedication.
… they (3-6 year olds) grasp concepts taught in a virtual setting …. And when we get to question time, to hear them shout the answer and stay tuned in for an entire hour. To me, that is euphoric -Sis Samantha Edwards
Editorial Team: What age group do you minister to and what has been the most significant shift in how you deliver classes?
Sis. Marlon David: I teach the Juniors (11-14) and can see the growth and commitment of the children who show up to classes every Sunday. In terms of delivery, we present more information visually, which was always planned, but it became more urgent. The children gain a better understanding of the topics, and it makes the sessions more interactive.
Editorial Team: What would you do differently in the future?
Sis. Marlon David: There has been a paradigm shift that has caused us to involve our children more in research. We are now challenging some of them to become junior teachers. The interaction has also extended to maturity in the prayer sessions to be continued when we return to in-person classes.
We hope that by sharing these practical examples and experiences, those curious will join our classes and become empowered to teach. In part 1 of this series, we reminded readers that communities shine brighter when their youth become productive, carrying on rich legacies of service, success, and God’s love of community. In some instances, they forge brighter legacies where depressed communities can celebrate those who blossom into success stories of courage, faith, and triumph. If you are a parent, teacher, church leader, business, community, or national leader, we encourage you to invest in youth today. Shalom!
[Author’s additional notes on the history of the FAOGW Sunday School Ministry: Sunday School Ministry has been serving the fellowship and Wortmanville community since the late 1960s as our fellowship was being established with services held at G Bent Street, Wortmanville. Our first Superintendent was Brother Sydney Corry. The current leadership team includes Minister Norma Singh (Superintendent), Deacon Wesley Adams (Assistant Superintendent), Sister Samantha Edwards, Brother Aubrey Sultan, Brother Lawrence Drakes, and Deaconess Tracy Benjamin. Sunday School classes are now held virtually on the ZOOM platform from 10:30 hrs GMT every Sunday. You are all welcome to join from anywhere in the world or enrol a child, relative, or friend and see lives transformed!]
