How Our Preteens See Faith: Jesus, Church, and Me (Ages 9–12)

This week, we’re proud to share the third batch of submissions in our synod-wide art series Jesus, Church, and Me, featuring preteens from across the Grand Canyon Synod.

As part of our shared journey to the 2025 Synod Assembly and its theme—“Build Up the Body” (Ephesians 4:12–13)—we invited children and youth to reflect on their faith through art. Our 9–12-year-olds responded with thoughtfulness and creativity, showing how their faith is beginning to deepen and take shape.

Some pieces highlight church as a place of comfort and belonging. Others show Jesus walking with people of all colors and backgrounds. Several illustrate the idea of building community—through worship, love, and friendship.

As with each group in this project, these artworks will be:

Shared in a slideshow at the Synod Assembly in Las Vegas
Printed as postcards gifted to every attendee

We are grateful for the time, reflection, and heart poured into these submissions—and for the congregations and families that encouraged them. These young people are not just the future of the church—they’re building it now.

👉 Scroll down to see the full galleries of horizontal and vertical art from our 9–12-year-old artists.

Horizontal Art