Young Families in the Care of the Congregation

Laestadian Lutheran
Jun 1
11 min read

The Voice of Zion June/July 2026 - Home and Family Articles --

When a couple are married, a new family is born. Their individual identities merge into a new shared identity as a married couple. Others start to refer to them as a couple instead of as individuals. The months following a wedding are full of adjustments for a couple, both adjusting to a new shared identity, as well as establishing a home together and finding new everyday routines and habits. When God blesses with children, new challenges emerge as little ones bring their own unique needs, personalities and joys to the growing family.

Young families may struggle to find their place in the congregation, especially where members feel shy or reserved in social settings. They may wonder whether they are seen by others, and whether they are carried in the love and care of the congregation. They may wonder how to participate in congregation activities and life. Single people, families that are more established, and elders all can help make a new family feel at home in the congregation. By making efforts to get to know a young family, inviting them to visit or asking them to participate in congregation activities, members who are more established play a major role in bringing the next generation of the congregation forward.

Another way to include a young family in congregation life is to give them responsibilities and duties. Mutual effort toward a common goal gives a sense of belonging, ownership and purpose that binds a young family closer to the congregation. Participating in activities with others provides opportunities to get to know one another from the heart and helps new friendships bloom. These relationships allow us to more freely serve one another, to share in each other’s joys and sorrows, and to care for one another’s undying souls.

Just as a new baby brings tremendous happiness to a family, a new family brings great joy to the congregation. They are the first fruits of the future. In young families, we see God’s kingdom taking shape for the years ahead, and the outline of His perfect plan for our lives. Here, believers from Alaska explore the joys, sorrows, trials and victories in the life of a young family in the congregation and discuss how they have been supported and nurtured in the community of God’s children.

Serving God’s Kingdom in the Home

Trent and Nicole Parks

A congregation discussion is held on the topic of “The Joys and Blessings of Serving in God’s kingdom.” I expect the conversation to cover the duties in the congregation, such as being a board member, camp director or committee head. I’m surprised to see that the first slide is a picture of a young family, especially since the subject is not on parenting or family life.

“Service starts in the home,” the presenter says. He explains the ways fathers serve their families, and how mothers serve their children in the home. “Even siblings play a role in serving each other and their parents. In this way, each one serves the kingdom of God.”

I look around to see if anyone else is as surprised as me. Am I really serving God’s kingdom simply by being a mother? My eyes bounce around the pews and take in all the young families around me. Many are in the same stage of life as me. Two, four, or even seven children under one roof, all under the age of twelve. A feeling of gratitude washes over me. My tiring, round-the-clock service is acknowledged. It feels so good to know that the work of mothers is seen and appreciated, to know that we are in this together as young families raising our children under the wings of the congregation Mother.

For me, this stage of life is one of the most demanding and draining, yet the joys and blessings are plentiful too. I am preciously reminded that serving our family in the home is the most significant way we parents can serve God’s kingdom.

Raising a young family comes with distinct challenges. The reliant nature of toddlers and young children leaves parents with little time to spend on their own needs and hobbies, or to build and care for their spousal relationship or other friendships. This weakens unity and effective communication between spouses and can result in feelings of bitterness and loneliness as personal needs are unheard and unmet. Such challenges are especially difficult in the early years of marriage.

Parents need outside help, such as babysitting and parenting advice. A particular challenge can be the financial strain of paying for medical bills, a mortgage, and food on a single income. In all these matters, we can turn to God’s kingdom for support.

I have found that most believers, when asked, are willing to help in any way that they can. But asking for help can be a hurdle. I find comfort in visiting with other families about our trials and hearing how others handle them.

Research tells us that childhood experiences and teachings deeply influence a person’s emotional, social and physical development. As adults, we may discover that many of our behaviors and habits are rooted in our childhood. This knowledge reminds us to take the responsibility of raising children seriously, despite the stress and unanswered questions we have. Scripture says: “Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it” (Prov. 22:6).

God entrusts to parents the rearing of His little children. He gave a manual to help us: the Holy Bible. There are many ways to discipline, nurture and nourish our children. We face a variety of important decisions, such as whether to vaccinate, what types of food to eat, and how to educate.

We can feel pressure to have a perfect family. Children take lots of time, energy and resources to raise, and our society teaches that it’s irresponsible to have many children, given the investment and work that go into raising them. But we can trust in God’s care, protection and guidance in raising our young, His precious children. God’s Word assures us: “He shall feed His flock like a shepherd; He shall gather the lambs with His arm and carry them in His bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young” (Isa. 40:11).

The community of believers is grounded in Biblical morality, and we are fortunate to have such a strong support network to ask for advice and help. Above all, we have the freeing gospel for when we fall short. Although we are faulty and imperfect parents, we are reassured that we can travel toward heaven with a clean conscience. The most important lessons we teach are the basics of living faith as a precious, lifelong gift. We are blessed with many practical resources in God’s kingdom, such as Christian reading material, Hearken podcasts, as well as the presence of other believing parents, grandparents and elders.

Lots of parenting advice and information is readily available online as well and can be accessed in seconds. But what things are good for believing families? How do we know what child specialist to follow? Which parenting guru should we listen to? Camps, small group discussions or even gathering at the coffee table all offer opportunities for us to discuss these matters with other believers in the light of the Holy Spirit. Jesus, himself, promises: “where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them” (Matt. 1:20, NIV).

Many influences are beyond our control. We can put these matters in the hands of our heavenly Father. He will guide all His children and watch over them. As the presenter shared, “We can find fulfillment knowing we are serving God and His children by simply raising our families in the care and admonition of the Lord.”

How can we support young families?

Trade babysitting often with families that don’t have sitters at home
When a baby is born, bring meals for a few weeks, help with housework and watching the other children as the family acclimates to the new baby
Invite a family over for a visit
Make sure that Day Circle is regularly scheduled and that materials are available
As a young parent, it can be intimidating to approach a more experienced parent. Parents who are more experienced can make a special effort to introduce themselves to younger parents and befriend them
Older members of the congregation can encourage young families as they come to services with small children, gently reminding them that their children are a joy to others – even as they navigate the challenges of caring for them during the service, helping them learn to sit quietly and take part.

We Can Turn to One Another for Help

Katelin Landa

What influences you as a young parent?

I feel we are most influenced by the people we hang out with. We visit other couples most weekends, and these friendships have influenced us in a good way. As young parents living in Alaska, we heavily rely on the congregation. Many believers here do not have family close by, so we are fortunate to be blessed with such a warm and loving congregation that is tight-knit. Everyone keeps tabs on each other. But as our congregation grows, this gets harder to do. Our friends are with us in times of joy, and they help us if we need correction. We talk about the way and journey of faith.

We look up to older couples in the congregation. My husband, Cade, and I have one daughter, Ella, and are expecting the blessing of another baby this fall. Rearing our child in living faith is a big responsibility. It’s nice to turn to someone who has been through our stage to give us tips and reassurance.

Where do you find help when you need it?

It’s hard to ask for help. Maybe it’s pride. Maybe it’s a sense that we should be able to do everything ourselves. I need to remind myself that escorts help ease our burdens. When our daughter was born two summers ago, it was so touching to feel the care of the congregation. People dropped off meals, and many reached out to see if I needed anything.

My friends were there as I figured out what it means to become a mother. That experience made me realize it’s okay to ask for help and to lean on others. When my burdens are lighter, I can help others when they are in need. Serving others is an even greater joy for me, and it feels like I have also been served every time.

Having my husband by my side through joys and sorrows is such a blessing. If I hadn’t been blessed with a spouse, it would be much harder for me to keep faith and a good conscience. He helps me navigate my doubts, and preaches my sins forgiven in Jesus’ name and blood when my conscience is heavy. For that, I am so thankful!

“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: if either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up” (Eccl. 4:9, 10, NIV).

These verses remind me what a great blessing a spouse is. I also remember my single friends with this text. In God’s kingdom we are blessed to be able to turn to another believer for help when we have doubts and sins that bother us. Any brother or sister in faith will gladly preach the gospel to us. We can be so thankful for this. We have many escorts by our side as we journey to heaven.

Thank You for our friends and escorts; hand in hand we journey home.

In the bonds of peace and freedom, mutual joy and love we own.” (SHZ 351:3)

Visits Help Us Feel Less Alone

Chet and Hannah Niemela

We can be escorts and help one another in our home congregation by supporting each other and by being open about the support we need ourselves. When we are open about our struggles, it encourages others to share their struggles. These visits help us feel less alone in our trials. We want to be there for one another, to offer encouragement, understanding and support in good times and in difficult times.

Through the many meals brought to us after having a new baby, to the help during recovery from surgery, and by simply being welcomed into others homes, we have felt much love and support from our home congregation. It has meant a lot to us to feel the love and care of the congregation and has helped us get through those times of trial. These experiences remind us how important it is to show love in simple ways, and to look for ways we can help others.

Sometimes we don’t know how to help. But we know we always can remember to pray for each other and offer the gospel. God’s Word instructs us to help and lift each other on our walk of faith: “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Gal. 6:2).

Escorted by Friends in Raising Our Children

Jayson and Kim Jurmu

Last summer, we packed up our family and moved from Colorado, making the long trek to the Last Frontier: Alaska. As we were preparing to move, we often asked ourselves, “Why are we doing this? Why would we leave? Are we crazy to leave all our friends, family and escorts we have here?” Despite our wonderings, moving north felt like the right thing to do for us.

We were fortunate to be surrounded by many loving friends and family in Colorado for our first eleven years of marriage. But with small children, there was little opportunity for us to go out and do many of the activities available right at our doorstep. This was hard to accept at times. We found the most contentment and fulfillment in the evenings spent with sauna company. Simple visits and other gatherings showed us the value of believing friends and family as we navigated raising young children.

We felt tremendous love and guidance from those around us as we started our family. We shared both joys and struggles amid the chaos of a young family. We received words of advice and encouragement from those who had been through the stage we found ourselves in. Single friends brought a special kind of joy and excitement! We received love and support from people of all ages and stages.

We arrived in Alaska just as St. John’s services began. It was heartwarming to be welcomed by so many, and to hear the familiar voice of the Holy Spirit in the congregation. Our experience settling in and developing new relationships among God’s children here has been so rewarding.

Here in Alaska, our routine of visiting on weekends has continued. With eight young children, the demands of the home are many, and it often feels as though the time for outings with friends takes a back burner. Loading up the family for a visit is a lot of work, which is sometimes discouraging. Unfortunately, the extra work doesn’t seem to come with extra patience.

A busy home life is both mundane and overwhelming and doubts often come. When we have the opportunity, we like to take time as a couple to get out and reconnect, and we return home refreshed and encouraged. Only God knows what our future holds, and we owe all thanks to Him for giving us these blessings.

A familiar psalm brings a smile to my face: “Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate” (Psalm 127:3–5, ESV).

In our stage of life as a young family, it’s good to hear instruction from God’s Word that speaks directly to us. Even when we fall short or feel discouraged as parents, we are reminded that we can be happy that our quivers are full. Our children truly are a blessing from God. We wouldn’t want it any other way.

Discussion questions

1. Who do you consider an “escort”? Why?

2. How has an escort supported you in your walk of faith?

3. In what ways can we be supported in this stage of life?

4. What helps us find contentment in this stage of life?

5. What joys has this stage of life brought?

6. Where might you be today without the support found in God’s kingdom?