Developing a Missions Heart in Children

November 23, 2011 By

Ever question when you should begin teaching children to evangelize and reach the world with the gospel? At what age should kids enter the mission field? How can we prepare kids to be missionaries in their own backyard?

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)

Filed Under: Highlights, Training Tagged With: , , , ,

We are Privileged

October 23, 2010 By

I was sifting through some old documents and came across this letter that my friend and fellow Pastor Oning Diayon wrote about a year ago. I thought it was worth resurfacing to remind us of all the great privileges we have as a child of God.

Dear Friends,
As we accept Jesus in our heart we receive the privileges that are promised by Our Heavenly Father.  Sometimes we don’t use  these privileges because we are intimidated by other people. But yesterday and today I better understood why find it difficult to stand up for the privileges given to us by God. It goes like this.

I live in Davao city, our transportation is primarily by jeepney. Jeepney is similar to a bus but smaller and seats up to 20 people. Wherever we go, we are going to use this kind of transportation. Many people call this a public utility jeepney.  Our government gives us discounts on our transportation if we are more than 60 years of age or are a student. Therefore the elderly and students don’t need to pay full price. They are only required to pay 80% of the full fare. I am a student and go to college so I can benefit from this discount.

On one of my many trips in a jeepney, I start paying the discount amount. The driver stared at me and gave me a bad look because I only paid the discount fare. I told him I was a student but still he gave me a bad look. I was not intimidated into paying the full fare because in my mind, “I had the right to do this.”  To further prove that I was entitled to the discount  I showed my Identification card to the driver and he finally believed me. I was not afraid of the driver because I knew my rights.  The driver did not believe me because I am a big man and maybe he was thinking that it was impossible for me to become a student. The only thing that convinced him was when I showed my identification card.

As a christian, we feel awkward if people know that we are followers of Jesus Christ. We don’t take advantage of our privileges because we don’t want to be seen as different. We are afraid that people might stare at us and call us wierd.

As we accept Jesus in our heart we are become the first-born and the first have privileges that can’t be imagined.
We have the privilege to teach other people about Christ.
We have the privilege to pray, reachout and many other things that God gives us.

You may not know your privileges or you’re just too shy to use them.
Don’t waste your chances! Use it or lose it
In His Kingdom, Oning

Filed Under: iRock-Philippines, Testimonies Tagged With: , ,

It has to become personal!

November 17, 2009 By

IMG_9669

I share about the homeless, the poor, the needy and the abused children throughout the world but until it becomes personal, it is just another story. It became more apparent this past weekend that the kids we minister to each week in our childrens churches have very little experience or first hand knowledge of those who are in need, physically and spiritually.

So, how can I help them realize that they are the ones that can make a difference in the lives of other children that need their help? They must see through my eyes as I describe the conditions these children live in every day. It’s important that they¬† hear the deep concern in my voice as I talk about children that are spiritually dying. they must believe that they can make a difference when they choose to help and they need to know that I am not asking them to do something that I am not already doing myself. Being an example is the most powerful way to influence people. Jesus knew this better than anyone.

If we want to influence this generation we need to be the kind of example that will bring about change in the world around us. “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” 1Cor. 11:1

Filed Under: News Tagged With: , , ,

Hope for the Homeless

January 27, 2009 By

homeless-maggieWith cart in tow, Maggie entered the building with all of her belongings neatly tucked into compartments in her wire mesh cart. To get a little relief from the cold, she found shelter in an alley accompanied by some of her fellow homeless who were huddled around a barrel burning with scrap lumber and paper.  As she settled in a spot atop a palette covered with newspaper she covered herself with the only blanket she had, pulled out her hand made sign and cup and began to beg for money from all those who passed by.

There were some who looked with loving eyes and dropped a few coins in her cup as they passed by while others turned away, hugged the opposite wall and tried to avoid recognizing that Maggie even existed. Many claimed to have no money and walked quickly by. How many times had Maggie felt rejection? How many times had she felt the pain of no one caring? How many times had she wished for just a glimmer of hope?

“Missed Opportunities” was the theme for Warwick AG as they made an effort to bring about an awareness of the needs of people all over the United States. Their vision was to help ‘Everyone’ realize that they can make a difference in a person’s life by becoming personally involved, not only through their giving but also through doing.

The all purpose building had been transformed into a soup kitchensoup-kitchen and homeless shelter. As people stood in line, patiently waiting their turn, a meal was being served consisting of chicken rice soup, mixed vegetables, cheese, fruit cup and yellow sheet cake. Each person picked up a lunch tray, their foam plate and plastic utensils and walked through the line as volunteers served the food.

Thousand and thousands of men, women and children depend on this experience for their existence and we have the opportunity to make a difference. But, are we taking advantage of those opportunities or are they missed as we pass by on far side not recoginizing the needs of the homeless?

The people at Warwick AG are being proactive as they develop ways to help the less fortunate and to be involved in their community, giving hope to the helpless.

sauly-and-jakeIt was my privilege to help the children of the church seek out opportunities and ways that they could also be part of giving hope to those in need. I was able to share Galatians 6:10, “Whenever we have opportunity, we should do good to everyone.” Esau was our example of a person that missed his opportunity by giving away his birthright. He could have helped an entire nation but gave it away for a bowl of gumbo. We talked about how difficult it is to see the needs around us when we are constantly looking at ourselves. We need to see through Jesus’s eyes. He never saw himself because He was always looking at the needs of others.

That entire weekend gave me opportunity to share the missions in our own backyard. We can’t ignore the people around us that need our help. Whenever we have opportunity we must do good to everyone. On any given day there are 200,000 children homeless in the United States. In a given year there will be over 1.3 million homeless children. None of them are there by choice, circumstances have driven them to the streets with their families. It’s time for us to respond to these needs as Jesus responded. With love!!

Filed Under: News Tagged With: , , , ,