Kidz4Mkz
Are the children of your church distracted by the ever-increasing lure of gaining things, competition medals, and public recognition? Are they taking the bait for status and a life of pleasure? Does the idea of living a sacrificial life serving as a missionary someday seem too far remote for them? Then perhaps it is time to not only suggest but encourage your young learners otherwise. Often the seed of missions will flourish best in a young heart that loves God, and whether they care yet about the world around them, the concept of missions begins to teach them to care about someone other than themselves.
The Kidz4MKz program was launched this year to connect children attending VBS, or a Children’s program already in existence, with BBFI Missionary Kids around the world. Using video, MK Collector Prayer Cards, and Prayer Reminder Bands, over 4000 children were given insight into the life of an MK as well as how they can be a missionary to the world in which they live. Offerings collected during VBS/Children’s programs were sent to the Mission Office MK Program and used to encourage MKs with the purchase of equipment and musical instruments for their own ministry, as well as providing them with birthday money for something special. Many children’s programs lend themselves well to adding the Kidz4Mkz component: Awana, Children’s Church, Mission Conferences, Camp, Kids Choir – literally anytime you have children gathered for a structured program. Plans are underway to add a mission’s lesson component within the Kidz4MKz 2018 program.
One small congregation wrote, “we were thrilled to be able to raise over a thousand dollars for Missionary Kids. Our goal each year is to take on a mission’s project and teach our children to be givers, not just receivers. It was our privilege to help in this project.” When that vision is replicated over and over within our churches, we will raise up a new generation of light bearers who set out to change the world and their eternity.
-by Jill Wolf, Mission Office Project Manager
