Ohana (families) and keiki (children) are a major focus of Hawaiian culture. That focus is obvious when, every weekend (and even in between), entire extended families spend all day with each other at the beach or park. Even more extraordinary is the birthday celebration that occurs when a child turns one year old. Because children rarely survived in the early days of Hawaii, that first birthday party has become a huge, almost all-day event. The child may not know what is going on, but the ohana and friends have a joyous celebration!
Tapping into those traditions, as well as the importance of bringing children to Jesus, Feryl Harris, the Hawaii Conference children's ministry director, has embarked on an ambitious project of holding training seminars on each island in Hawaii to train local children's ministry leaders. "It was too expensive for them to come to one central location," noted Harris, "so I am going to them." It will take several months, but it is her goal to have each congregation appoint a leader who will be able to guide and direct outreach to the children of their churches and community.
Her first seminar was on Oahu in late February. Approximately 25 children's ministry leaders from around the island gathered for a full day of activities focusing on current methods of nurturing children into a loving, serving relationship with Jesus.
"There is a need for children's ministry leaders to be equipped so they can focus on characteristics of 21st century, post-modern children — children who are cyber-literate, technology dependent, multi-taskers, and tolerant of differing opinions, cultures and lifestyles," Harris pointed out. By the end of the day-long seminar, participants were given ideas using technology and programming. At the same time, they were not to forget the value of developing personal relationships. "I wanted to present them with resource updates as to the new products that are available to enhance the mission of leaders, as well as to offer variety in programming."
During the day, two presentations illustrated the new materials now available from the North American Division children's ministry department and the publishing houses. Roy and Eileen Kakazu from the Aiea church told of their experiences in using the new GraceLink Sabbath school curriculum. "Children want to come to Sabbath school now," said Roy, a retired school teacher. "I now understand the importance of using the multiple-intelligences approach to teaching children. I wish I had known even more about this when I was teaching my students in grade school."
Joyce Kim from the Kailua church introduced one of the new program themes for vacation Bible school — "Avalanche Ranch." Not only did she give organizational hints, but she also said, "I would encourage leaders to incorporate your church's youth into your plans. It helps them to use their talents and energies for the keiki, and they will have a lot of fun playing and teaching them!"
"We have asked for each church to hold evangelistic meetings just for children each year," explained Hawaii Conference President Ralph Watts III. "I am looking forward to seeing how our inspired and dedicated children's ministry leaders throughout our conference will bring children to Jesus just as He asked us to do."
For more information, visit the children's ministry page on the Hawaii Conference website (hwic.netadventist.org) or contact Feryl Harris.
