Imagine two candles––a tall one and a short one. Which candle would you choose as “the father” and which would you choose as the “son”? Probably most people would think of the tall candle as the father, and the small candle as the son. But if we see these two candles as an example of people we reach in our ministries, then the correct answer would be that the small candle is the father or the adult. The tall candle is the son or child. Why? The small candle doesn’t have much time left to burn and give light. Adults have already lived a good part of their lives. So if we reach children for Christ, we can influence them in their early years. Then they will be able to shine for many years in a world that needs the light of the Gospel of salvation.

The Importance of Children’s Ministry

SIM has made children’s ministry one of its priorities. I’m personally convinced of the importance of children’s ministry and know that many feel the same. Certainly in heaven there’s joy over every person who “comes home,” whether child or adult. But if we want to think strategically as a mission, we need to make a strong effort to reach out to the next generation––the generation that will impact churches over the next 50 years.If you want to change the world of tomorrow, you need to reach the children of today.

Another illustration for this is a corn seed. It looks quite plain, but if you plant it, it develops its potential and grows into a beautiful, tall plant. We can compare that to the great capacity that exists within every child. If a child learns how to love and care for others, there’s such an awesome potential for other lives to be blessed. If a child develops his or her potential in love and obedience to God, what a wonderful potential for a life lived to the glory of God.

Our Privilege

Jesus says, “And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me.” (Matthew 18:5) If we welcome a child in our homes, in a church, in a radio program, in a school, in an aid program, in a project for children at risk––if we do this, we welcome Jesus! We in SIM have a great privilege to reach out to the children of this world.