“When children understand that God has a plan for them and loves them, it gives them a sense of comfort, which is beneficial to their well-being.”
Lucy Hargraves is a Children’s Worker for the Places Project, an initiative dedicated to helping families, children, and young people grow closer to God. In her role, Lucy supports children aged 5-11 in exploring, experiencing, and following Jesus through a range of activities. She leads various groups and works with many volunteers, some of whom go on to become group leaders, and so their ministry grows.
We recently caught up with Lucy, who reflected on her own faith journey and how pivotal her upbringing was to shaping her vocation to work with children.
“One of my earliest memories of faith is attending Sunday School and taking part in intergenerational services at St Peter’s, Halliwell, which were held every fortnight”, Lucy says. The Sunday School made a lasting impression on her, and she recalls the school leaders telling Bible stories in ways that were engaging and accessible to her as a child. Meanwhile, the all-age services stood out as being fun and inclusive for everyone: “I was never bored during these services – they made me feel really involved in what was happening. It’s so valuable to be able to have intergenerational worship all together!”
By the time she was in Year 8 or 9, Lucy had become a junior leader at her Sunday School, helping to lead sessions and even contributing to services. “The leaders at Sunday School had such a positive influence on me”, she says, "they knew how to nurture my faith, even when I was young.” In turn, this feeling of being a valued member of the congregation gave her the confidence to volunteer at groups like Ignite Kids’ Group and the Kids' Club on Sundays.
Lucy’s church community further nurtured her faith by providing opportunities to lead and serve on trips away. In 2017, at the age of 16, Lucy travelled with her church on a trip to The Holy Land where she volunteered at a summer camp run by the charity Musalaha, a non-denominational Christian charity focused on reconciliation between Israeli and Palestinian people. This was a particularly significant time in Lucy’s faith journey, which she describes as “a life-changing experience that really helped shape my calling to work with children.”
The Spring Harvest Christian festival at Butlins is also an especially fond memory for Lucy. She always looked forward to going with other families from church every year, and found it incredible to be surrounded by so many other Christians all in one place. “Having the opportunity to take ownership of my faith at such a young age and seeing others share that same faith was amazing. I’ve even returned there as an adult to serve, and it was so rewarding. Participating in Christian festivals made me feel connected to others who shared my faith, and seeing this mission work at home and overseas gave me such a sense of awe - it reminded me that God is at work all around the world!”
Closer to home, Lucy’s family played a significant role in shaping her faith and sense of vocation. Her older cousin, who is now training for ordination in Manchester Diocese, and her parents, both of whom have volunteered at church for many years, all had a profound influence on her. “I think my parents encouraged me without me even realising it! My dad runs a teenage discipleship group, and my mum led Sunday School for years. Their work with children and their passion for sharing Jesus with younger generations really encouraged and guided me to the work I’m doing now." As well as family members, Lucy credits the youth leaders at her church with encouraging her to follow her calling. “They created spaces where I could explore my faith and grow as a disciple, and recognised my gift for working with children early on. That sense of encouragement and belief is something I’ve carried with me throughout my life.”
Just as she was able to explore her faith growing up, today Lucy firmly believes in creating clear pathways for discipleship for children, whether through kids' ministry, youth groups, or weekends away. “I try to create similar opportunities for the children I work with, so they can grow in their faith”, she says. “I also know that I’m now in the position of being a role model, so I always aim to try and be a positive example.”
One of the most significant ways Lucy encourages faith among children is through unguided prayer times – something she remembers from her own childhood: “As a child, I had the opportunity to explore my faith independently, and that was so powerful. I try to offer children the same freedom to pray in their own way, on their own terms, rather than the adults always leading it. Some of the most beautiful prayers come from the kids when they’re given that space. When I’m running a group and ask who wants to lead the prayers, most of the hands go up.” Lucy has observed that when children lead prayers, they tend to pray for a wider range of global issues than she was aware of growing up, due to their increased access to media and exposure to world events. “They often pray for the homeless, the poor, and those affected by conflict. Their prayers are selfless and show a concern for the wider world, whereas I was more sheltered.”
Lucy has also witnessed the transformative effect that faith can have on children’s mental health. “It’s important to explain God’s love for them in a way that children can grasp. Knowing that God loves them and has a purpose for their lives can make a huge difference”, she explains. “When children understand that God has a plan for them and loves them, it gives them a sense of comfort, which is beneficial to their well-being.”
Reflecting on her childhood experiences and how they have shaped her work, Lucy emphasises the importance of creating intergenerational opportunities and believes it’s vital to involve children in church services and provide spaces where they can freely share their faith. “It’s crucial that children see God as central to everything we do in church. They should feel that these spaces are nurturing, safe, and welcoming – and fun! My childhood faith memories are full of happiness, safety, and a sense of belonging. These experiences shaped my lifelong relationship with faith, and I strive to create similar experiences for the children I work with today.”
For churches seeking to strengthen their ministry with children and young people, Lucy encourages them to ask themselves: “How can we centre our church activities around children? Are we providing opportunities for them to serve and lead? Are we recognising and nurturing their gifts?”
“Children are capable,” she affirms. “We need them in the church, and we need to nurture them – I feel blessed to be part of that work.”
To learn more about the Places Project in Bolton, visit the Places Project page.