Children are our future

It was an amazing group of young evangelists and Christian leaders in-training.  We were forming a new pastoral care group at the start of another academic year at Ridley. 

As usual we went around the group sharing our testimonies of conversion and stories of journeying towards full-time Gospel ministry.  By the time we got to end, we realised that every single one of us had influenced by a godly, faithful Christian children’s minister. 

Never underestimate the strategic importance of children’s ministry. 

“Hear my child, your father’s instruction; and do not reject your mother’s teaching” – Proverbs 1:8.  Proverbs goes on to underscore the value of godly parenting and instruction of young ones.  What we teach and model for our children about God, grace, forgiveness in Christ, Gospel mission in life… these stick for life.

I was converted in a Presbyterian Sunday School in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia.  It seemed to me that all my teachers were either returned missionaries or missionaries in training.  Unsurprisingly, the Gospel message was proclaimed and modelled.

I felt – and can still feel – the love that those teachers had for me and all the children in their care.  They loved us, because Jesus first loved them.  They shared that message of love and forgiveness and mercy and care very effectively in word and deed.  Ask me, and I will show you the Sunday School materials and gifts that I received from them, and that I treasure still. 

My family moved to Johor Bahru on the southern end of West Malaysia when I was nine.  It was there, in a local Methodist church with a strong Sunday School and youth fellowship, that my whole family – mum, dad, older sister and myself – were baptised at the one service in August 1987. 

Later in Australia, it was in the context of a young adult ministry at St Matthias’ Anglican Church, North Richmond and at MelbourneUniversity’s Christian Union that I kept growing as a Christian.  My wife Valerie and I met doing children’s and youth ministry at church. 

Children are our future.  Young people matter.  Children’s, youth and young adult ministries matter.  How effectively we communicate the Gospel and call for conversion and radical discipleship from people at a young age matters. 

That’s why every local church worth its salt should be investing heavily in children’s ministry.  That’s why CMS invests heavily in children’s, youth and young adult ministries, most notably through our Summer Under the Son conference and camp each summer.  Decisions made for Christ in our earliest age, steadily nurtured and carefully mentored along the way, can – under God – lead to a lifetime of amazing Christian service and adventure with the Lord. 

Go on - encourage a kids' minister or get going with some kids' ministry today! And come along to SUTS if you're able to.