BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (BP)–The first-ever national Children’s Ministry Day is aiming to involve children in missions projects across the country.
On Saturday, Feb. 16, 2008, all children’s groups in churches are encouraged to join with 100,000-plus members of Girls in Action (GA) and Children in Action (CiA) organizations affiliated with Woman’s Missionary Union to actively minister and witness in their communities for a concerted one-day effort.
Mitzi Eaker, WMU children’s ministry consultant, said children involved in GA and CiA actively learn about and do missions throughout the year but the focus on doing missions across the country on a special designated 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 as a tangible part of WMU’s focus on poverty through its Project HELP ministry.
“Participation will help children understand the needs of others and grow in their ability to minister to others as Christ did,” Eaker said. “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, including project ideas, learning activities for before and after the project, a children’s sermon, ideas for involving families and a variety of promotional materials. To order, visit www.wmu.com or call WMU customer service toll-free at 1-800-968-7301.
Scheduled to coincide with Focus on WMU week each year, Children’s Ministry Day (at www.childrensmissions.com) will be held annually on the third Saturday of February.
WMU leaders list a number of goals for ongoing missions education and involvement through Girls in Action or Children in Action:
— Demonstrate to children how God is at work in the world through stories from the mission field.
— Encourage children to learn and apply the Bible to their lives.
— Show children the power of prayer as they are taught how to pray for needs around them, missionaries, people groups and missions in general.
— Cultivate a healthy curiosity as children learn about different cultures and religions and realize that all people need to know Jesus.
— Develop a biblical worldview with a global perspective, learning how to treat and respond to others locally and globally.
— Provide opportunities for children to be personally involved in missions. Their lives are changed as they see the impact of ministering to others through missions.
— Help 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 for International Missions, the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering for North American Missions and Southern Baptists’ Cooperative Program channel of support for missions and ministries.
— Provide 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.
— Encourage spiritual growth as children learn and do missions through a comprehensive missions education program.
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For more information about GA, visit the GA website at www.gapassport.com. For more information on Children in Action, visit www.wmucia.com.
