Amazing Facts in Africa? Yes! Keep reading!
In less than
three months, more than 80 teachers of the lower division have been trained in
doing the Child Evangelism program of Amazing Facts. These trainings were
conducted in three different sites, on three different dates and on three
different occasions. Kenneth Ouma, a graduate of Philippine Amazing Facts
Center of Evangelism (PAFCOE), was deeply impressed with the Child Evangelism program
in the Philippines, that’s why he planned and organized so that the same
program can be brought to Africa starting with Kenya. Two child evangelists
from the Philippines, namely Renelyn Mendoza and Mayvilyn Ramos travelled to
Kenya to spearhead the child evangelism program.
The first training was held at Newlife SDA Church where more than 30 teachers from 8 different churches around Nairobi participated. This was held last July 26-28 and August 3-4, 2013 at University of Eastern Africa – Baraton Campus then at Newlife SDA Church respectively. Pastor Philip Gai, the director of Publishing and SOP of East-Central Africa Division was one of the trainees. Elder Tom Ouma, the chairperson of the Children’s Ministries Department of Newlife SDA Church organized the event.
The second
training was done at Mwangaza SDA Church last August 6-9 during the church’s
annual camp meeting. More than 20 teachers attended and participated in this
training. While the kids were at school, we grabbed the opportunity to train
the teachers every morning for 4 consecutive days. This was organized by Jared
Ochieng, one of the dedicated teachers from the church.
The third
training was conducted at Monato SDA Church in Got Rabour, Homabay last
September 30 to October 2. This was done on the final week of the evangelistic
campaign in the place. 26 teachers, 3 pastors and 1 Anglican pastor attended
the said training. Pastor Philip Gai, the main speaker of the evangelistic
seminar organized the event in coordination with Pastor Duncan Wawo and Pastor
Hellen Owino, directors of Publishing and Children’s Ministries departments
respectively at Ranen Conference.
The Child
Evangelism program is designed to equip lower division teachers with a variety
of Bible-based techniques in teaching and evangelizing boys and girls. The main goal of this program is to train lay
persons to have the confidence in handling children’s programs so that every
adult seminar will have a parallel program for the children. In that way, the
spiritual needs of everybody in the community is met.
Three points are
being emphasized in these programs.
1) Teach Bible
doctrines. Even children should be taught important doctrines such as Sabbath,
Law, State of the Dead, Tithe, Hell, Antichrist and even Mark of the Beast. Do
away with fictitious and superficial stories where the children gain nothing.
At an early age, if properly taught, they can be established in the church so
they can do the purpose of evangelizing other persons.
2) Jesus must be
uplifted. John 12:32
says “and I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me”. If Jesus
is lifted up in all discourses, even children can be drawn to Him.
3) Let topics coordinate with adult
evangelism. Wherever
possible in evangelism, let the topics be coordinated so that the children are
learning the same truth as the adults are learning and when they go home, parents
and children alike can discuss the same topics that they both have heard from
the evangelistic programs.
Everyone who
attended received a certificate of attendance and the complete files for the
child evangelism program which includes the powerpoint presentations, scripture
songs, craft pages and coloring pages. Recipients of these trainings have given
positive feedbacks. They really appreciated the beauty and the holistic
approach used in the program. They are more than thankful and happy for the new
insights gained and for the materials that they can use in evangelizing boys
and girls.
They all
embraced the challenge to step forward and preach the message not just to
adults but most especially to children because they have the greatest time on
earth to serve God and to share the message about salvation. Children’s minds
are just like sponges. They just absorb readily all the truths that they are
hearing and they just not keep it to themselves but they also share it to their
peers, families and relatives. Indeed, more people are reached by the message
when we share it to boys and girls.
The Amazing Facts team are excited to hear child evangelism reports from everyone who attended the training. Below are more pictures:
Check back for more stories from Africa and from OJT!
