In this excerpt from his 1992 Christmas sermon, Pastor Daniels used the child as a symbol of hope both for change in this world and for spiritual salvation. At First Baptist Church, children are treasured as the hope for the future and for the central role they play in the present as models of love and trust. In Sunday School and other church contexts, children are nurtured as future leaders. To be given such respect in the community can contribute powerfully to children's resilience, particularly their sense of self-worth and efficacy. Children also are given a place as legitimate community members whose current contributions are meaningful. To be given opportunities for genuine, legitimate participation can result in the development of many competencies, as well as opportunities to form meaningful relationships with caring adults.