Welcome Shauna Jenkins, the New Children's Ministry Pastor!
If you’ve spent time at FAC Southwest Campus, you’ve likely already met Shauna! With nearly 7 years of experience in children’s ministry, Shauna brings a heart for helping kids grow in their faith. She first served at Fort City Church in Fort McMurray, where she helped build a thriving ministry of more than 90 children and 40 volunteers. For the past year, she has served as Children's Ministry Director at our Southwest Campus.
We asked Shauna a few questions about her heart for children's ministry and what she's looking forward to in this new season.
Getting to Know Shauna
FAC: What first drew you to children's ministry? Was there a particular moment when you realized this was something God was calling you to?
Shauna: “Honestly, if it had been up to me, I never would have ended up in children's ministry. About 7 years ago, the lead pastor at my previous church in Fort McMurray asked me to consider stepping into the role. It was less about my qualifications and more because there wasn't really anybody else. My initial response was a hard no. I had never imagined myself serving in kids ministry, but God had other plans, and they were far better than my own.
After a lot of prayer, it became clear that God was leading me down this path. But it always felt temporary, like something I was doing for a season rather than a long-term calling.
That changed this summer at Discovery Camp. I was walking to get extra craft supplies for an activity when God met me in a simple but profound way. In that moment, I realized how much I loved what I was doing and that I truly felt where I belonged. It was an unexpected and incredibly exciting realization. God called me into children's ministry, and I could trust Him to equip me for it. After 6 years in children's ministry, it was the first time I stopped wondering if this was just temporary and began to see it as a calling that God had been growing in me all along.”
FAC: Was there a memory from children's ministry or a youth leader growing up that shaped your faith?
Shauna: “I can't think of one defining moment that shaped my faith growing up. Instead, it was the steady influence of people who invested in me over time. Youth leaders, a piano teacher, and coaches took the time to know me, encourage me, and challenge me.
Looking back, what stands out was their consistency. They showed me what it looked like to love Jesus in everyday life. They were kind, fun, authentic, and people I wanted to be like. Their influence reminds me just how powerful it is when adults consistently show up for kids and students, and it has shaped not only my faith but how I approach ministry myself.”
FAC: What's your favourite part about working with kids? And what's something they've taught you?
Shauna: “My favourite part of working with kids is getting to meet them in their world. I love playing with them, being silly, and seeing where their curiosity and imagination lead. Every day is different, and if you're willing to lean into the unexpected, there's always joy to be found.
One of the biggest things kids have taught me is the importance of slowing down. I've learned that building relationships, asking questions, and listening well often matters more than executing a lesson plan. Those moments of connection are usually the ones that leave the biggest impact.”
FAC: What's one thing people might be surprised to learn about you?
Shauna: “I love fishing! And if I manage to catch one, I can clean it myself and cook it up for dinner... once my husband gets it off the hook for me.”
FAC: What's your go-to coffee order?
Shauna: “I am never disappointed with a Starbucks vanilla latte, hot or iced!”
FAC: What's the most memorable or ridiculous thing you've done to make children's ministry fun?
Shauna: “I actually outsourced this question to my previous Kids Ministry co-leader (aka. partner-in-crime). She came up with a few memorable moments: having snowball fights with kids on a Sunday; throwing on a T-Rex costume during a random prep morning and scaring the utter crap out of one of the kids (To be fair, he loved dinosaurs, and I thought he would find it funny); unexpected glitter tattoo mornings; scream-singing 'ROMANS 16:19 SAYS!'; and getting out the parachute and balls for the toddlers.”
FAC: What are you most excited about as you step into this new role?
Shauna: "Stepping into this role brings a mix of emotions, but the one that rises above the rest is excitement. It will come as no surprise to most of you, but I LOVE making things fun. Ever since I started at FAC, I've felt God nudging me specifically to 'bring the fun.'
I strongly believe that relationships are at the centre of children's ministry. Jesus' ministry model was deeply relational. My heart is to see a highly relational, contagiously joyful DiscoveryLand that draws everyone from the youngest to the oldest at FAC. I am looking forward to working with all of you to make that a reality."
Chet Kennedy, Family Life Pastor, adds, “Shauna is passionate about helping kids follow Jesus, cares deeply about the families she serves, and has a gift for casting vision that makes people want to jump on board. While doing Shauna’s reference checks, I heard her colleagues describe her as a team builder, a visionary, a cheerleader, and someone who steps into hard things simply because Jesus asked her to.
As DiscoveryLand enters a new season, we couldn’t ask for a better leader to bring energy, laughter, and fresh momentum. Join me in welcoming Shauna into her new role, and get ready for some joyful days ahead. Shauna, we are so glad you’re here, and we can’t wait to see what God does through you!”
