Children's Ministries - What Is Their Role In The Modern Age?
Children's ministries have a vital role in the modern age
. In fact, it could be argued they are more important now than when most were first established in the middle of the last century. Children's ministries were founded to help lead children toward a knowledge of God and His teachings, and to improve the lives of less fortunate children.Over the years, the work of children's ministries has gradually spread to countries around the world. Thousands of ministries are now doing God's work. Some concentrate largely on traditional Bible studies, teaching children about the Word of God and the life of Jesus. Others are involved in specific areas of children's lives. One ministry in India, for example, makes it possible for poor village children to attend school. In this way, they are given hope for the future with the prospect of good jobs and an escape from rural poverty.
Another ministry, in Tijuana, Mexico, runs a food program for schoolchildren in need. In the Philippines and India, programs include helping street children find new homes and security. There are ministries in all countries, including the United States, that focus on aiding abused and neglected children. Other children's ministries counsel children whose lives are damaged by family breakups, and some ministries deal with such problems as alcohol and drug abuse among the young.
Many of these problems are, sadly, problems of the modern age. Children's ministries over the years have always responded to the needs and challenges as they arise. As one ministry worker said, "We exist to help the poor, the lonely and those in pain. We do what we can to improve the lives of all God's children."
The teachings of the Bible underpin all the work of children's ministries, as does the message of "love thy neighbor." One major charity has a children's ministry that is active in many of the world's poorest countries. The charity has saved the lives of thousands of children in Africa, Asia, South America and Central America. Through a very effective sponsorship program, the charity provides children with access to education, food assistance, clean water, shelter and health care.
It is incredibly valuable work. However, this charity believes the most important part of its work is its ministry. "We believe the most loving thing we can do for children is to introduce them to Jesus Christ," the charity states. Through knowing Jesus, children discover their worth to God, and their self-esteem blossoms. When someone realizes "I do matter," that person begins to have hope and trust in the future, and has started on the road out of poverty and misery.
The children helped by this charity also recognize that the sponsorship they receive is God's love in action. They know that the goal of this charity's ministry is to release them not only from economic and physical poverty, but from spiritual poverty too.
All over the world, the work of children's ministries is growing and developing. Some of the problems they strive to overcome are age-old. Others are due to modern ills. What is beyond doubt is that the ministries have an increasingly vital role to play, even in our supposedly "enlightened" modern world.
by: Christine Harrell Teen Drug Use And Driving Tips teach Chinese for kids Entertain Children and Christmas Guests by Making Unique Ornaments Discussing Divorce With Your Children Data Can Be Collected From Any Site Where Your Child Has Been Child-Rearing Solutions That Allow You To Control Unfavourable Conduct Make Notepads with the Kids Potty training- 3 Points to Train Your Child in Potty Activities Children's Party Rentals Developing the Entrepreneurial Spirit in Children How To Help Your Obese Child Trim Pregnancy - Lose Weight After Childbirth Domestic Violence By Proxy - The Key To Healing Parental Alienation & Helping Your Compromised Child