Second generation King's Kids

So great to see this new generation of children . . . serving God . . . following in the footsteps of their parents.

These two young ladies have made their mom (in the middle) a grandmother. . . and were on hand to see Dad & Mom ordained in UPCI-Ghana.

These precious little ones watched as their Mom & Dad were ordained, and they really didn't know what was happening. That's okay, they are young enough to be trained to follow Jesus all the days of their lives. . . and that is already happening - Thank You, Jesus!
We praise the Lord for this second generation . . . following parents who are following Jesus.

Reaching Africa's Children involves more than just reaching children off the street. It also means watching the children of our pastors as they grow in their faith and knowledge of Jesus. What joy to see our children . . . "Walking in Truth!" (3John verse 4)

Children's Ministry Travels Forward

How does Children's Ministry travel forward in Ghana? It moves with the help of some special folks . . . leaders in local churches.

This is no ordinary vehicle pictured here. It brings an entire compound of children to Sunday school every Sunday morning. Deacon Mensah (driving) had nine children and three adults in his motor this past Sunday. . . I know because I counted as they piled out and ran to their Sunday school area under a huge mango tree.

When did Deacon Mensah begin bringing children to Sunday school? Right after he helped teach and supervise Ghana's first Children's Day program in his local assembly (our headquarter's church in the capital city). Deacon's own children are growing up, learning about Jesus every week, traveling to church with their Dad in his motor every Sunday morning.

How does children's ministry travel forward? Get as many church leaders and adults involved as possible. They may not be able to teach children every Sunday, but one day a year you can encourage, beg, promote, plead with them to work during Children's Day . . . getting acquainted with those precious little ones that touch all our hearts. It is one of the greatest tools for recruiting those elders . . . especially if they have children or grandchildren of their own.

Let's all work together, helping and encouraging one another, as we march forward . . .

Reaching Africa's Children!

What is Children's Day?

Children's Day is . . .
Bro. Pastor (David Tortoe by name) keeps smiling because kids keep coming . . . 187 in all . . . at a new church plant - WOW!
Allanah Sisco (MK) making new friends. . .
Smiling children . . . going home with their hearts and hands full of good things (new Bibles and stories from that Bible) . . .
Children of all ages enjoying their own copy of God's Word . . .
Over 1,600 children (in Ghana - May 1, 2008) hearing "Stories Jesus Told" and sharing those stories with their family and friends . . .
The pastors, missionaries, and LOTS OF KIDS . . . learning and growing TOGETHER.

What is "Children's Day?"

Lots of GREAT things for lots of God's little people. . . one special day every year. . . in EVERY CHURCH. . . in EVERY NATION of Africa.

"Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God . . ." (Mark 10:14b)

What Is . . . Reaching Africa's Children?

See those eyes . . . watching YOU?

Reaching Africa's Children is the part of
Vision4AfricaMinistries that reaches out to the little ones all around us. Everywhere you go in Africa . . . the village . . . the town . . . the huge city (like Lagos, Nigeria) . . . the remotest area where only donkey carts travel . . . you will see eyes . . . just like the ones pictured here . . . watching you.

Sometimes, someone is brave enough to call out, or wave as you pass by. But mostly, it is the eyes . . . looking in wonder and often fear, knowing you have something they need . . . but never knowing what you will give them.

Reaching Africa's Children is a task force striving to awaken an army. We need workers to help touch the lives of over half the population of this continent. They need Jesus . . . and many don't even know it. Jesus loves them . . . and most have no idea about that.

Our goal is to share the gospel with these little ones, giving them a chance to grow in His grace and truth. Africa is a huge continent, densely populated, and with few available resources for their children. But Jesus loves them . . . we know it and we want them to know it too.

So, in West Africa, I work to reach over 132,000,000 children under 18 years of age. Sis. Paula Richardson works in East Africa, and Sis. Vicki Simoneaux works in Central/Southern Africa with hundreds of millions more. We three make up the Reaching Africa's Children committee, and we need all the help we can find.

In Ghana, I am blessed to share the burden with a National Board that is concerned and open to suggestion. There are Children's Ministry representatives in all nine of Ghana's regions. We are working to see Sunday school (children's ministry) teachers in every local church. Sis. Colleen Carter and Sis. Pam Sisco (fellow missionaries in Ghana) share this burden and vision, and we are seeing God move . . . in the lives of children, pastors, and teachers.

Will you join our work?
Will you pray for Reaching Africa's Children?
Will you fast with us, one day each week, to see God touch the hearts of more teachers and pastors too?
Will you become part of Reaching Africa's Children?

WE NEED YOU TOO!!!!!

Reaching Africa's Children. . . a Joy and Challenge!

Children . . . such a delight and joy to work with. They are so full of faith . . . life . . . hope. . . and God's potential.

Reaching Africa's Children is a challenge too. So many children . . . 48% of the whole continent of Africa are below 15 years. If you increase that age to 18 years. . . the numbers are higher. If we do not reach our children, we are missing over half the continent . . . WOW!

I LOVE working with children. They surprise you, delight you, frustrate you, and give you much reward for every effort.

This is our purpose:"Winning souls of every size. . . and training them to live Bible-wise." In Africa, it is a struggle to get pastors and church leaders to place serious imporatnce on reaching these youngs ones. But we know this is God's will and plan for their lives.

This is our motto:
"God's Word ALIVE . . . in Africa's children."

This is our vision:
I. Children’s Ministry in Every Church
A. National
B. Regional/District/Zonal (whatever divisions your country uses)
C. Local

II. Children’s Day in Every Church
A. On May 1 (or any national holiday when children are out of school)
B. Any Saturday/long weekend
(Materials available on the Vision4Africa website, or by contacting Reaching Africa’s Children coordinator.)

III. Teacher Training in Every Church
A. National Seminars (during conferences or other meetings)
B. Regional/District/Zonal (during conferences or other meetings)
C. Local – involving Pastor or Sunday school leadership
(Materials available on Vision4Africa website, or by contacting Reaching Africa’s Children coordinator. Regular TOTs materials – also on website – give training for teachers.)

IV. Children’s Ministry Leadership Structure in Every Church
A. National
B. Regional/District/Zonal (whatever divisions your country uses)
C. Local
(Examples available on request for set-up of Children’s Ministry at each level of the church. These include job descriptions, and constitutional wording.)

V. Children’s Event at EVERY CRUSADE and CONVENTION
A. Children’s Day Materials are great for use here
B. Regular Sunday school materials also great, as new children will be present, and those already familiar with materials will be quicker to respond

Will you join in prayer for this vision? Will you fast and pray for Africa's children one day every week?

God Bless, and I hope you keep checking this blog for more updates, pictures, and exciting news of what God is doing as we Reach Africa's Children.