The first ever National Children’s Ministry Day promises to deliver active compassion as children are involved in missions projects across the country.
On Saturday, Feb. 16, 2008, all children’s groups in churches are encouraged to join with members of Girls in Action and Children in Action to actively serve in their communities for a one-day, concerted effort to minister and witness together. According to Mitzi Eaker, children’s ministry consultant for national WMU, children involved in GAs and Children in Action actively learn about and do missions throughout the year, but the focus on children doing missions across the country on a designated, special day will “be exciting to see.”
Hope for the Hungry is the theme for the 2008 day of ministry as children are encouraged to serve those who are in need of food and nourishment. Eaker said a focus on hunger was chosen because it is a tangible need and is part of WMU’s focus on poverty through its Project HELP ministry. The focus scripture verse is Isaiah 58:10a (NIV): “Work hard to feed hungry people.”
“Participation will help children understand the needs of others and grow in their ability to minister to others as Christ did,” said Eaker. “As they serve, children will realize that God can use them in a mighty way, even now while they are young, to share his love and minister to others.”
To help plan and implement the event, a complete Children’s Ministry Day promotional pack will be available from WMU in November. It includes numerous resources, including project ideas, learning activities for before and after the project, a children’s sermon, ideas for involving families, a variety of promotional materials, and more. To order, visit www.wmu.com or call WMU customer service at 1-800-968-7301.
Scheduled to coincide with Focus on WMU week each year, Children’s Ministry Day will be held annually on the third Saturday of February.
For more information, visit www.childrensmissions.com. To help children learn about and experience missions year-round, join the more than 100,000 children involved in missions through GAs and Children in Action. For more information about Girls in Action, visit the GAs Web site at www.gapassport.com. For more information on Children in Action, visit www.wmucia.com.
Ongoing missions education/involvement through Girls in Action or Children in Action:
? Instills godly characteristics in children as leaders mentor and minister to them each week.
? Demonstrates to children how God is at work in the world through stories from the mission field.
? Encourages children to learn and apply the Bible to their lives.
? Exposes children to the power of prayer as they are taught how to pray for needs around them, missionaries, people groups, and missions in general.
? Cultivates a healthy curiosity as children learn about different cultures and religions and realize that all people need to know Jesus.
? Develops a biblical worldview with a global perspective – children learn how they should treat and respond to others locally and globally.
? Provides opportunities for children to be personally involved in missions – their lives are changed as they see the impact of ministering to others through missions.
? Helps children realize the importance of giving financially to support missions as they learn about the impact that giving makes through the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering, Annie Armstrong Easter Offering, and the Cooperative Program.
? Provides a place where children learn about missionaries who give up their way of life to move to different, often times difficult, places to tell others about Jesus.
? Encourages spiritual growth as children learn and do missions through a comprehensive missions education program.