Young entrepreneurs put parable to work It’s never too early to learn a few things Popcorn ve ndor Jerem about being y Yoder: Le ssons in bu siness and entrepreneurs and stewsharing Others bought wrapping ards. paper and started a Christmas present Last October, 57 chilwrapping business. Two sisters made a meal and charged dren in third through sixth customers to eat at their home “restaurant.” grade at Blooming Glen In January the congregation held a Kids Market after (Pa.) Mennonite Church Sunday school where the young entrepreneurs displayed received quite a surprise and sold their wares — from soup to stationery, potholdwhen they gathered up front ers to pillows, baked goods to babysitting services and for “Moments with the Children.” much more — all made by the children. Each one was presented with a large “That was awesome!” said a third-grade vendor envelope containing 10 $1 bills. later, a sentiment echoed by both young and old who “The looks on those young faces were priceless, but attended. this was not free money,” says Steven Hunsberger, a The project concluded on the last Sunday of February member of the church. “The children were also presented when 54 of the children returned with their earnings of with a challenge — to be like the first servant in the Par$5,167. After paying themselves 10% for their hard work, able of the Talents from Matthew 25 and make money they tithed 10% and donated the rest to help restore a grow.” farmhouse on the church property which is used to lodge The children got to work. A few purchased rakes and refugees and struggling families. cleaned neighbors’ lawns. Some bought ingredients “It was a wonderful teaching opportunity, not and baked Christmas cookies or only about economics, marketing and running a made hot chocolate small business, but also about the responsibility we mix. have to return a portion of what we have to God for Kingdom work,” says Janelle Hunsberger, the congregation’s former children’s minister. “Parents reported many dinner time conversations generated from this exercise and we hope that many of the children (and parents) learned a valuable lesson and had fun serving God and others.” “It was a fun project to watch as our children became excited about what they could do to raise money and help the church and people in need,” adds Steve Hunsberger. “My oldest son is 10 and was so excited that he got his brother, age 7, excited even though he was not old enough to participate!”
The Marketplace September October 2011
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