India (MNN) ― There's a saying that goes, "Great leaders are made, not born." But for one ministry, being born again comes first. We spoke with "Ron," a Senior Director at Grand Rapids, Michigan-based Mission India.
There is a kind of "chicken and egg" question to how the ministry grows. Mission India does Children's Bible Clubs, adult literacy classes and church planter training. Church planters are often the ones laying the groundwork for the Bible clubs; but first, the trainer has to learn to read.
Each phase of ministry depends upon the other. However, for the sake of discussion, we'll begin with the children. Mission India says kids are most responsive to the Gospel between the ages of 4 and 14 years old: the 4/14 Window.
In the Bible Clubs, a mobile team comes to train new Bible Club teachers. Mission India provides training and materials to partners who are introducing Children's Bible Clubs in their communities.
It's through their Children's Bible Clubs that they reach kids with the Gospel. In the clubs, children learn new songs and enjoy skits and games. They also listen to Bible stories, memorize Scripture, learn to pray to Jesus and discover a loving Savior. Ron says, "The goal of the Bible Clubs is to help kids come to know about Jesus, but to do it in a way that honors their family."
Ron explains: "Many of the teachers that are leading these Children's Bible Clubs are themselves, teenagers," which generates a lot of help for the local church. He adds that, in its own way, "It becomes a leadership factory."
Mission India says that new churches often grow out of Children's Bible Clubs. That's where Mission India's other programs help ground church leaders. Between church planter training and the adult literacy clubs, many thousands are introduced to Christ.
Church planters complete two years of combined classroom training and supervised fieldwork. During this time, they share the Gospel and establish new worship communities.
Growth requires prayer, resources and funding. "A club for about 40 kids costs only $40. They go for two weeks during the time kids are off school in the summer. Because the clubs are led by the local churches, those churches follow up and develop relationships with the children and the parents."
There are great reasons to get involved right now. Until the end of April, there is a $200,000 Heart for India Matching Challenge Fund. That means for every dollar donated for Children's Bible Clubs, a donor has committed to match it, effectively doubling donations. Click here to learn more.
