Welcome to the Children and Family Ministry Newsletter! It is our desire that God would be glorified and you would benefit from these resources! Join us in following the footsteps of faithful Christians who have gone before us so that we are inspired to also serve Christ with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength (Mark 12:28-30).
The Apostle of Ireland
Who is St. Patrick?
The date of St. Patrick’s death, March 17th, is celebrated worldwide as St. Patrick’s Day. Many people are unaware, however, that the origins of this holiday lie with a man who devoted himself to spreading the gospel throughout Ireland. St. Patrick was born around A.D. 390 in Britain. When he was 16 years old, Irish pirates enslaved him and transported him to Ireland shepherding animals. In those Irish hills, life was hard and he almost starved to death. About six years later, he escaped back to his family in Britain. After becoming a cleric, St. Patrick followed a calling to return to Northern and Western Ireland. Despite opposition and constant danger, St. Patrick journeyed throughout Ireland preaching, teaching, building churches, opening schools and monasteries. St. Patrick is known for two short works, the Confessio, and his Letter to Coroticus. To access the new translation of these unique documents from Amazon, click here.
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day
There is more to St. Patrick’s Day than candy and green! In her article for Crosswalk, Annie Yorty discusses engaging ways to celebrate the holiday with children. Activities such as learning the real story of St. Patrick’s life, playing traditional Irish folk music, and comparing St. Patrick to people in the Bible to help children appreciate the true meaning of this holiday. To read more, click here.
Living on Mission
Missionary Stories
Dave and Neta Jackson have compiled a series of 15 stories about missionaries throughout history, called Hero Tales: A Family Treasury of True Stories From the Lives of Christian Heroes. Amy Carmichael, a missionary to children in India, is one of the faith heroines that will inspire your family to live on mission. Volume 1 of this series can be accessed through Amazon here.
Everyday Ministry
An author of Desiring God Ministries, Jon Bloom reminds us that God gives vocational ministry workers the task of serving and equipping those in “secular” vocations as they live on mission in the world. Teaching children that a “secular” job is a call to ministry is important as they pursue their goals in vocational ministry or ministry in “secular” settings. To learn more, you can access Bloom’s article here.
A Resource on Prayer
Window on the World: An Operation World Prayer Resource, is a book for children that develops political, cultural, and geographical understanding of how God is working and moving in the world through the power of prayer. This resource teaches children how to pray for different countries of the world. To access, click here.
Dwight L. Moody
Moody’s Life & Ministry
Dwight Lyman Moody is recognized as a hero of faith who utilized his life to teach and emulate the truths of Scripture. Moody Bible Institute, fondly known as the school that D. L. Moody founded, still stands today as a result of Moody’s educational ministry. Since 1886, Moody Bible Institute has served as a training place for men and women to grow in their knowledge and application of Scripture in ministry. A Passion for Souls by Lyle W. Dorsett Is a biographical book about the life and ministry of D.L. Moody. To access on Amazon, click here.
Teaching Children Moody’s Legacy
The story of D.L. Moody’s life and ministry can help children understand the impact of faithful Christian living. The children’s series, Christian Heroes: Then & Now, has an edition called D.L. Moody: Bringing Souls to Christ. To access on Amazon, click here. The Moody Center, a non-profit organization committed to preserving Moody’s legacy, has created a downloadable PDF with coloring pages that follow his story. To access, click here.
Voice of the Martyrs
Voice of the Martyrs
Voice of the Martyrs “Remember those who are in Prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you are in the body” (Heb. 13:3). As parents, your prayer, support, and encouragement of persecuted Christians models for your children the importance of obeying this verse. Voice of the Martyrs is a ministry that supports persecuted Christians by raising awareness and giving people specific ways to pray for them, as they are mistreated and imprisoned in all corners of the world. Parents and children can learn more about how to pray for and support these Christians through accessing Voice of the Martyrs website here. To access books and videos for children from this ministry, click here.
The Persecuted Church
Talking to Children about Persecuted Christians
Sheila Seifert, an author of Focus on the Family, writes about how you can guide your children in conversation as they learn about today’s persecuted Christians. Seifert writes, “There are times when your kids will be exposed to images or reports of religious persecution… your response as parents is key.” She encourages parents to be proactive in conversation with their children, keeping their developmental growth in mind, guiding them in the message that God will always be with His people (Matt. 28:20), and teaching them that they do not have to be afraid to live boldly as witnesses of Christ (Acts 1:8)! To learn more from Seifert, click here.
Shine a Light
Shine a Light, a song by Kids on the Move, encourages children who have put their trust in Jesus to shine His light in this world as they walk in the fruit of the Spirit. It is an upbeat and engaging song for children to listen to as they learn about the Christians around the world who are shining the light of Jesus even through persecution! You can access this song with dance motions on YouTube by clicking here. To listen on Spotify, click here.
