The Micah Paradigm von Kelly Demo

Do you believe in a child's ability to make a difference in their community? Do you see youth as agents of change in the world? We do, too. Micah 6:8 urges us to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God. Guided by this mandate and three child development models (cognitive, social, and spiritual), we have created a practical guide for church leaders to develop a culture of mercy and justice in their church. No matter the size of your congregation, this model will help the Christian educator, youth minister, or pastor who wants to empower their community's children and youth. Starting in preschool, our Helpers learn the concept of mercy as helping others. By the time they become Co-Creators in high school, they are engaging in justice work that takes on the powers of the world and walking humbly, in solidarity, with the poor and marginalized of the world.

Kelly Demo is the associate rector at St. Thomas the Apostle Episcopal Church in Overland Park, Kansas. In over twenty-five years of ministry, she has served as a diocesan missioner for youth in Kansas and Arkansas, led several parish youth groups, and worked for ten years with international aid organizations. Demo holds a bachelor of general science in theater from the University of Kansas and an MDiv from the Seminary of the Southwest. Barbara McCall is the director of children and family ministries at St. Thomas the Apostle Episcopal Church in Overland Park, Kansas, having served in that role since 2014. Prior to her work in ministry, she taught primary grade students in suburban Kansas City for fifteen years. McCall holds a bachelor of science in elementary education from the University of Nebraska--Lincoln and a master of arts in education from Baker University.