With the ministry team sitting in the room along with 12 children it was easy to see that they had grown beyond their current walls.

As I shared a service with the kids I was encouraged by the eagerness of the team as they observed; hopefully gleaning some teaching ideas and methods. The kids, eager to learn, were quick to volunteer as we acted out the story of Jacob and Esau, twin brothers, and then as we talked about the importance of looking beyond ourself to see the needs of others.

How often do we become so wrapped up in ourselves that we can’t see beyond the small confines of our little world? There are so many hurting people with needs ranging from the physical to the spiritual. We need to be more like Jesus who continually looked toward others and their needs and was never self absorbed in His own life. We rounded out the day with an informal Q&A following the service. I met with the team of people committed to reaching the children in their church and their community.

They have a great team in place and I’m believing they will have a profound impact on their community. I look forward to visiting this church again and seeing what God has done through this group of committed people and to hear the stories of how God has touched children and their families.

I came across this simple idea on KWAV’s blog post  and felt like I needed to pass it along as you also train up your kids to have an outward view of the needs around them. Several years ago, while in full time ministry, we did something similar with the kids in our ministry by partnering with Convoy of Hope to make Haiti Hygiene Kits following the earthquake. Although that project targeted a specific need following the disaster this project is a way to meet a tragic need that has become all too common in our own backyard.

This is what Ali B. shares on her blog:

Have you ever come across a homeless individual and felt totally uncomfortable?
You see them and you know they are in need, but you are not sure what to do. You know that handing them money is not the best thing. But, you also see that they clearly have some needs. Their lips are chapped. They are hungry. They are thirsty. They are asking for help.

How can you help? - Blessing bags. 

This was such an easy project. We are now going to keep a few “Blessing Bags” in our car so that when we do happen to see someone on the streets who is homeless, we can hand them a Blessing Bag. I first learned of these bags from my friend, Julie. I am using the picture of her bags (see above) because the ones we took were taken in horrible lighting and turned out really grainy and hard to see what is inside of them.
If you’d like to make your own Blessing Bags, this is what you would need:

Gallon size Ziplock bags and items to go in the bags, such as:
chap stick
packages of tissues
toothbrush and toothpaste
comb
soap
trail mix
granola bars
crackers
pack of gum
band aids
mouthwash
coins (could be used to make a phone call, or purchase a food item)
hand wipes
you could also put in a warm pair of socks, and maybe a Starbucks gift card

Assemble all the items in the bags, and maybe throw in a note of encouragement. Seal the bags and stow in your car for a moment of providence.

This would be a great activity to do with some other families. Each family could bring one of the items going into the bags (ex: toothbrushes). Set up all the items around a table and walk around it with the ziplocks and fill the bags.

by Ali B.

I so appreciate Ali’s heart and her vision for teaching the children. I know that there are many others with that same heart of compassion. Let’s now take that heart and add hands and feet to it as we remember the scripture that I like to teach children, “Whenever we have opportunity we should do good to everyone”, Galatians 6:10

Make sure you are ready to seize that opportunity the next time your path crosses with that of someone homeless.

God has given us each a people group that He wants us to reach with the gospel. Who has God given our kids to reach and how can we equip them to share the gospel with those people?

If we can instill of heart of compassion in our kids we CAN reach the world.

This year at the Equipping Conference in Manassas Virginia I had the opportunity to have an informal discussion about this very topic. The session was recorded so that you too could gain a little insight into developing a missions heart in children.

“God our Savior, who wants ALL men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth” 1 Tim 2:3

Listen to the session

Other Related resources
Growing Mission minded kids by David and Mary Boyd
Developing a Heart for Missions in Kids by John Miller
Involving Children in Missions by Linda Mei Lin Koh
Planting Seeds of Compassion in Children by Mark Entzminger, David Boyd and Ray Risner.

 Video Description: Mark Entzminger guides answers questions about the importance of planting seeds of compassion in the hearts of children. Special guests David Boyd and Jay Risner share valuable insights that will help children’s workers and parents help their kids see the needs around them and find ways to respond. (Be patient as the video loads)

Whenever I’m able to serve alongside Eurasia Experience and share my message with the kids I’m emphasizing the importance of pointing others to Jesus. John the Baptist was conceived for this very purpose and his entire life was dedicated to pointing people to the savior. As believers our purpose is the same as John the Baptist. God wants us to point those who don’t know Jesus to His arms of forgiveness.

Who are you pointing to Jesus?

Speaking about Jesus, John said, “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.” Matt 3:11

Although Fearless Fran made out to be tough and that she wasn’t afraid of any situation we soon found out that she needed more help than she let on and that’s where all the kids came in. They helped teach Fran about courage and in the process they learned that the greatest courage they could show was when they made a commitment to follow Jesus and to ask for forgiveness that only Jesus can give.

For three evenings the kids learned that courage comes from knowing God and asking Him to help in difficult situations. They learned that true courage is being able to stand up for what they believe is right even when other people don’t agree and that courage gives them hope and a future through knowing and relying on Jesus.

50 people, children and adults, had the courage during those three evenings to ask Jesus into their lives and to show them the way to true joy and happiness through a relationship with Him. Ohio Valley Christian Center’s fellowship in Wheeling WV had brought in a harvest that yielded new members into the family of God.

The three evenings ended with a time of celebration as the kids enjoyed, food, inflatables, games and candy. What an evening of rejoicing it was but nothing compared to the rejoicing in heaven over the people that made decisions to follow Jesus.

Job 33:28 “He redeemed my soul from going down to the pit, and I will live to enjoy the light.”

Although many lost their belongings, the souls of many had been given another chance. Oning and Nene saw this as an opportunity to expand the kindgom of God and a new ministry location was birthed.

September 25, 2011 at 2:00 pm a ministry started on the same property where Oning and Nene lost everything. In partnership with iRock ministres USA and by the power of Jesus the ministry was launched.

The kids were very excited to attend the service. Even though the scheduled time was 2:00 pm, they kept coming early and checking if it was 2:00 pm yet. That was so cute and quite funny since they had their own clocks to tell them what time it was but they were just so anxious to be part of what had been planned especially for them.

Kids starting coming and filling the small area. There were no chairs and the kids sat on the floor, under the shelves and anywhere they could find a place. Even when all available space had been occupied they kept coming until they were overflowing (Glory to Jesus) and had to stand outside.

It was hot and humid in that small space but the kids didn’t complain. Oning started a small electric fan but it did little to counteract the heat and the sweat.

Not even the heat and humidity could stop the kids from worshipping Jesus as they sang song of praise to Jesus.

They were taught a scripture verse, John 8:12. “Jesus said I am the Light of the world, whoever follow me will never walk in darkness but will have the “Light of life”. Through object lessons, memory work and stories, 61 children and one adult came to realize how their heart was darkened by sin and accepted Jesus as their Light of life. We give glory to God for working in hearts that day.

It seems that no service is complete until there is food so true to tradition each child was served popcorn, orange juice and a small bread roll. As they gave thanks it was so meaningful because that might have been the only food they received that day.

As followers of Jesus, let us continue to pray that the Light  planted in their heart will shine to other people and that they will become a torch bringer, the bringer of testimony that Jesus is the Light of their life.

NOTE: Pastor Oning and Nene are a young couple that iRock Ministries has helped throughout the years as they follow God’s direction for their life. They are an extension of iRock Ministries here in the United States and refer to their ministry as iRock Philippines. As the missionary behind iRock Ministries, I am committed to building a team and helping them see their dream of a ministry center in the Philippines fulfilled. If you would like to know more about this center, as the dream becomes a reality, be sure to sign up for our newsletter. Through our updates you will be given opportunity to partner with us through your prayers and finances. Keep this project in prayer as we seek God for His Holy and divine direction.

This team consisted of 13 adults and 13 children between the ages of 8 and 16. After spending 8 days with this group of people, I’m convinced that not only was it God led but the team was also hand picked by God. Everyone was focused and driven to complete whatever task was before them. From sunrise to sunset the team gave all they had to impact this community.

Children built relationships with the team as they played together and shared their lives with each other through sports camp and huddle groups. Friendships were forged and at the end of the week many children gave their lives to Jesus.

In the afternoon the team personalized the work project as they took the vision of the children’s minister and applied it to the children’s building. From one end of the building to the other they organized, labeled, constructed a puppet stage and puppet rack, painted ceilings, floors and murals on the wall, scrubbed floors, replaced a toilet, tore out the rotting kitchen sink and counter, replacing it with a utility sink, hung new window treatments and by the end of the 3 days of renovation the building had been transformed.

Evenings took us to the street where we were able to share the message of Jesus in fun and relevant ways and then distributed the Book of Hope to each and every one there.

Lives were changed that week. Children like Tatiyana who received hope as she prayed with the team on Sunday evening. Or Titus that stood on the side lines and wouldn’t join the fun until different people on the team became friends with him. He was accepted and loved unconditionally. There were at least 35 children that made decisions to follow Jesus that week.

An organized and refreshed children’s building provided the encouragement needed for an overwhelmed and tired children’s ministry leader to regain her passion for teaching the children.

And the team members themselves were changed as their flames were turned up a notch and they found a renewed desire to push forward in their own ministries at home.

I stand amazed at how much God can do in the lives of people in such a short period of time. Removed from cell phone signal, Facebook, twitter, and emails the team was able to connect with God and with other people in very special ways.

If you would like to be part of a team in the future, send me a message and I’ll inform you of upcoming trips. But, only send me a message if you are ready for a life changing experience!!

The camp name? Camp Wannahockalugie. Our theme? W.H.A.L.E. of an Adventure. The main characters? Lou Lou and The Big Kahuna. The focus of our week? Jesus. We were taking 48 children from the Clear Spring MD area on an adventure to discover their purpose as the learned to worship, honor, adore, love and evangelize the name of Jesus.

Each day The Big Kahuna went fishing for the WHALE but only caught letters. Taking a look at each letter, Lou Lou helped Big Kahuna realize that God is his provider and creator and is worthy of our praise and honor. Then and only then do we become true fishers of men and fulfill His purpose for our lives.

Living for Jesus is truly an adventure and each day we should discover more about ourselves and about Jesus. Daily adventures through music, crafts, play and Bible teaching brought each camper closer to knowing Jesus and forming a friendship that would last for eternity.  The camp staff was phenomenal and it was a privilege to serve alongside such an amazing team. They shared the love of Jesus with the kids each day as they played, prayed, served and cared for each and every one. By the end of the week there were numerous kids that had developed a relationship with Jesus and had made a decision to follow Him.

Camp has a wonderful way of helping both staff and campers discover their potential for serving Jesus. My prayer is that they will each find their place in the body of believers and strive to serve Jesus in their unique and special ways. I’m looking forward to seeing what God has planned for Hilltop Christian Fellowship and the Clear Spring community.

Bollack, who lives in Frederick, said her daughter, 21, has cancer, and her dialysis costs $25 every other day. Money is tight, and there are many things her granddaughter, Mckala Swope, can’t have, Bollack said. But Convoy of Hope offered Mckala the chance to run in the kids zone, jump in the moon bounce and get her face painted, all for free.

But the most valuable free gift she had the opportunity to receive was eternal life that only comes from the forgiveness Jesus offers.

Being part of the Kids Zone activities and sharing the message of Jesus’s love is one of the highlights of my year. Taken from the organizations name, our goal was to provide HOPE to those who came through the ministry tent.

Rotating with a team of kids from Damascus Road Community Church, together we presented the gospel in a kid friendly fashion giving all who entered an opportunity to ask for Jesus’ forgiveness and to invite Him into their lives.

We began our presentations of the gospel at 9:45 am and every 15 minutes gave HOPE to all who entered, adults and children alike. We continued until 1:45 pm at which point we realized that over 2000 had heard the gospel and over 200 had prayed a prayer of forgiveness.

It was a day of HOPE!