In light of research that shows that a child is six times more likely to accept Jesus Christ between ages 5 and 12 than at any other time during his/her life, the Hawaii Conference became very intentional about child evangelism during 2005.
Every church was to focus on child evangelism at least once during the year. Pastors and teachers received training on how to bring children to Jesus. They then began a variety of initiatives throughout the conference to actively reach children in the local communities. Twelve of the churches decided to use a form of the Vacation Bible School program.
DC4K
By Feryl Harris
For 13 Tuesday evenings, volunteers from the Aiea church worked with children of divorcees in a program called Divorce Care for Kids. At the same time, Pastor Lloyd Munson and Jeanne, his wife, taught parents the skills to cope with the challenges in the adult version of Divorce Care.
Through music, drama, workbook activities, games, stories, crafts, and group interactions, the kids came to understand that they are not to blame for their parents’ divorce. They learned how to forgive, handle anger, be of help, accept a step-parent and step-siblings, communicate their feelings, pray, cope with going back and forth between mom and dad, accept living conditions and share their hurt with professionals who have skills to help them.
“It has been a heartfelt experience working with children of divorce in the DC4K program,” said volunteers Roy Kakazu. “During the 13-week program, we were able to bond with the children, and the blessings that the children gave us were the greatest gift of love we could have experienced.”
This feeling of Ohana — which means “family” in Hawaiian — resulted in invitations to Sabbath school and VBS programs. “We have plans for a seminar dealing with single parenting that will provide opportunities for these and other parents to take the next step in building new lives,” reported Munson.
“I’m going to miss the DC4K program very much,” said one child. “Now I don’t know what I’m going to do on Tuesday evenings. Won’t you do it again?”
Entering “Jerusalem” with No Experience
By Mike Muller
Concurrent with an evangelistic series with Daniel Stratis, Oahu’s Manoa Japanese church decided to do an eVBS (evangelistic VBS) program for the children. Using the basic format of the “Jerusalem Marketplace” VBS program, volunteers adapted the program to fit presentations made every Friday and Saturday evenings for four weekends.
“What happened was a strong testament to God’s ability to really pull the church membership together as a unit,” said Pastor Lyle Arakaki of the church’s child evangelism efforts. “It was very evident from the start that everyone was focused on a successful program, and no job was seen as too big or too small. Everyone just spoke encouraging and supportive words to one another.”
Fourteen young adults and juniors regularly participated in the venture to bring Jesus to children. “It was fun to have this opportunity to be creative,” said one young helper. “There was no shortage of that in this group! If there is just one child in heaven as a result, that will make it even more worthwhile.”
From England to Honolulu
By Deloris Trujillo
Paul received a call from Macedonia to “come over and help us.” Jennifer Hernandez, a student at Newbold College in England received a call from the Honolulu Central church to “come over and help” with their VBS program.
Because child evangelism is important to Hernandez, she answered the call. Because she was born in Hawaii and grew up there, she had plenty of family and friends to help make her program theme — “Serengeti Trek” — an authentic experience for the approximately 45 children who attended.
“How grateful we are that Jennifer decided to come and help us,” said Pastor Walt Nelson. “I am glad she said ‘yes’ just like the apostle did before her. God blessed her ministry to our children.”
