MMRC: Children, needy and giving

Children: needy and giving
by Justin D. Long

In 2010, the "youngest" countries in the world will be, in descending order, Palestine, Uganda, Oman, Somalia, Niger and Yemen. Over 46% of the populations of each of these countries -- nearly half -- will be under the age of 15. To make any substantial progress in evangelizing these countries, widescale child-evangelism strategies will be required. The difficulty is that each of these countries is very likely to restrict its children, most of all, from Christian evangelists. Winning this 'next generation' will be a difficult battle, but speed is of the essence: life-spans are not long in these countries, and those that are not won this year may not be here to win in the next.

Although each of these countries have the highest youth densities, none of them are on the 'Top 10' list for absolute numbers of youth in 2010. That list is, in descending order: India, China, Pakistan, Nigeria, Indonesia, the United States, Bangladesh, Brazil, Ethiopia and Iran. Interestingly enough, over half of the world's youth live in these ten countries. (By 2025, Iran will have slipped off this list, and Congo-Zaire will have joined it in 10th place). Each of these 10 will require different approaches tailored to the youth of the country. Here's a very basic synopsis of the differences:

India - already has widespread children's ministries, though more could be done to expand and support these. Medical and Sunday school programs are two useful examples.
China - illegal to proselytize children, but Children's Bibles are extremely useful anyway. Specific ministries to Christian children are widely requested by many Christian leaders.
Pakistan - some children's ministries in effect, but hampered by the Christian-Muslim-Hindu struggles in the country.
Nigeria - children's ministries could be implemented easily in the south, but difficulties grow in the north. Special tailored approaches will be required.
Indonesia - some children's ministries in effect, but efforts are restricted. Some new freedoms likely in the next few months and years.
USA - wide open, unrestricted ministries possible, the biggest difficulty is getting children interested in church.
Bangladesh - More openness than in other World A countries, and creative avenues would help to expand ministry.
Brazil - unrestricted ministries are possible, with the most sensitive area being Protestant-Catholic relationships. It is also possible to reach many children from minority World A groups here (e.g. the Japanese).
Ethiopia - children's ministries are widespread. An especial emphasis on child refugees and children with medical needs could be a big help.
Iran - reaching children here is perhaps the most difficult of all the countries. Again, Children's Bibles are quite useful.

Finally, this week, I'd like to give a special focus on youth in America. Children in the USA ages 5-14 spent $24 billion on goods in 1996. This amount is likely to increase in the years to come. At this date I know of few programs specifically geared toward fundraising for missions in this age bracket. Yet, if America's youth donated just 1% of their disposable income to mission, it would equal $240 million--more than double the entire budget of the Southern Baptist Convention's Foreign Mission Board. Some parents may be less than happy with me for recommending fundraising among children, but which is better -- teaching a child to spend all his or her money on their own desires and needs, or teaching them to give a portion of their money away? One recent event at the church I attend spurred my thoughts: the children's program raised several hundred dollars for missions, and then were rewarded with a 100-foot-long ice cream sundae.

I ran across an article on teaching children to give, authored by Rev. H. R. Stockert and published by the Catholic Information Network on its web site. Christians might do well to take a look at this article, and then start working with ECFA and denominational mission programs to develop new initiatives to educate children on the importance of sponsoring missions.