Look at this generation

42% of Kenya’s population is under the age of 15 years. We always talk about children and young people being the future leaders of our nations. Yet, if we took time out to look at our children, we would see that we as adults have a very long way to go.

Jesus actually said for us to become like children. Not petty people who fight over the latest toy, but those who marvel at the simple things of life, like kids who all stand around staring forever at an insect on the ground. Ones who like hanging out with friends without an agenda. Kids who don’t see colour, language or socio economic level.

The call to reach the world with the Gospel never excluded children. With this in mind, Margaret Aim, a co-founder of Afri-Lift is now spending much of her time in training children workers. While she ministers in many different countries, her main focus is on developing teacher of teachers within Kenya.

When I interviewed her a few months ago, Margaret’s passion for training effective teachers is obvious. Each trainee also mentors other teachers, who in turn become trainers of others. In the next few years, a million children could be reached with the Gospel.

The key to this area is the word ‘effective’. Sure, you can have a teacher up the front of hundreds of kids, but it doesn’t mean they are engaging, giving opportunity for salvation and discipleship nor creating an environment of faith which attracts new children.

Margaret uses storytelling a lot as well as creative play. Kids don’t want to be preached to, they want to participate in the learning process.

We need to stop treating children like little adults, they are not. Many children come from broken homes, have been abused, have hurt in their lives and are looking for someone to share Christ with them in a relevant manner. They need to know that God cares for them, that they aren’t just one of six billion people on the planet. They need to know that God has a plan and purpose for them NOW, not just when they get older. For many children in developing countries, life is about now, there is no tomorrow because you might not live till then. Building a vision for the future is a challenge.

Jesus said that the harvest is ready now, but the workers are few. People like Margaret Aim and her team are taking on the challenge to prepare for more workers.

Please pray that pastors and church leaders will see this ministry as vital in their churches and that doors of opportunity will open for our team.