Children Emerging as Unexpected International Ministry Priority

Ventura, CA, January 05, 2007 --(PR.com)-- According to the International Children’s Ministry Institute, Child Evangelism Fellowship and other respected organizations, somewhere between 83 – 86% of Christians worldwide become believers before reaching 15 years of age. Yet, ministry to children has traditionally been seen as less important than with adults... until now.  

Gospel Light Worldwide President Marc Stein says,  “Even if the percentage is only 65% as suggested elsewhere, it is an astonishing statistic and understandably most people are shocked to learn that young people make up such a large percentage of all new believers globally. There is definitely a change in the wind and children are emerging as an international ministry priority.”

With a serious lack of culturally relevant children’s material available, church leaders around the world are now listing children’s ministry as one of their top priorities. They desperately need quality materials but lack of age appropriate Bible materials for children is currently the norm.

In a 2007 Vision Paper for Central Africa, Wycliffe Bible Translator Chris Jackson stated, "When visiting most churches, particularly those in rural areas, rarely will one see a children's ministry program. This is largely due to the lack of appropriate materials and training."

Additionally, there are few effective children’s ministry models currently in widespread use. Local pastors, evangelists and church planters from developing world churches are reaching out for help.  Marc Stein continued, “A week does not go by when we do not hear of another opportunity to help a resident church or international ministry.”

Almost 10 years ago, World Vision started partnering with Gospel Light Worldwide to provide culturally relevant and age-appropriate youth Bible study and curriculum in the former Soviet Union. Today, they are working together in Albania, Armenia, Bosnia, Georgia and Romania and with local publishers in Lebanon to develop relationships and curriculum.

Legendary Bible teacher Henrietta Mears established the foundation of Gospel Light Worldwide over 70 years ago to fulfill one vital purpose: to put the best possible Bible teaching tools into the hands of teachers and learners around the world. Today, $5 per child can accomplish that almost anywhere in the world.

###