Lives Impacted by Children's Ministry

Have you ever met someone with whom you felt such an immediate connection that you assumed you must have met before, or been childhood friends, or possibly been siblings separated at birth? (Okay, maybe not that last one.) When I met Lisset Silva in 2008, we had so much vision for ministry in common that we spent half the conversation finishing each other’s sentences. (“Yes!...That’s what I was going to say!”) Sometimes without even realizing it, I would begin a sentence in English, forgetting that native language is not one of the many things we have in common.

Partnering for the Kingdom

The Pilot Project is a first step of a large international initiative aiming to create and publish curriculum for children between the ages of 4 and 12 that is adapted for each country. These introductory books were initially designed for a specific age range and are then redesigned to fit other ages. They are opening the doors for an incredible curriculum project covering 9 years of the life of a child!

Intentionally named "The compass – only for explorers," the Hungarian Pilot Project was the result of the partnership between EGM International and ReMa, our local ministry. While the lessons are based on the Model Children's Worker methodology, they are only partly created by American or International writers. The Hungarian team has written a major part of them making sure that the final product reflects the local characteristics to ensure that they are culturally and regionally relevant.

We started the Pilot Project in Hungary three years ago with the involvement of seven Hungarian individuals (translators, writers, proofreaders, graphic designers, editors - three of which were volunteers.)

The Pilot Project was also a great opportunity for Hungarian Christians to become financially involved in the ministry. Part of the expenses were cover by in-country donations.

Our experience with the first Pilot Project manuals was encouraging. The vast interest proved that the Hungarian Sunday school teachers really love the curriculum finding it useful. Our plan is to spread the word so that everyone will know that this is just the beginning and we are moving forward with the Pilot Project 2.

A touching letter from a children's worker who teaches children with learning disabilities made our day. This person was amazed with the success she had using the Pilot Project manual. She explained that the children were really into the biblical stories and activities like never before. This is how we’ve learned, once again, that the biblical model of teaching is the best option for all children alike.

We received the following feedback from another teacher just after launching the Pilot Project 2: "Recently, I taught the story of Nicodemus from the Pilot Project 2 book. I hadn’t planned on making a call for a decision. Still, the Spirit led me this way. Four kids from my class made the decision for Christ that day! God bless you!"

The Pilot Project isn’t just a nice story. It’s an example of how effective you can be when you partner with God and with other people all over the world. The Pilot Project isn’t a finish line, but a first step for incredible, transformational life stories. Will you be part of that too?

Written by Marian Zaharia & Andrea Schauermann

Ukranian Children's Ministry

News regarding the inner conflict in the country of Ukraine is big news today. American news services are not always faithful to report on important happenings internationally, so when one of these international events hits the airwaves, it’s usually something pretty big. The conflict in Ukraine is complex and we pray for our brothers and sisters there as the people of Ukraine move through this time of upheaval.

Every Generation Ministries – Ukraine (“Slujinna Pokolinnjam” in the local language) is NOT involved in the protest against the government, but the EGM team IS quite active protesting against ineffective and unbiblical children’s ministry principles which have been the norm for so many years in the churches of their country. This is also a complex conflict! But God has shown us His passion to see every child reached effectively can be expressed through the EGM team in Ukraine.

To affect the change they want to make in this enormous country, EGM workers have divided Ukraine into regions and there are regional leaders in many of these areas who provide training and individualized coaching for children’s workers in churches across the denominational landscape. Ukrainian children’s ministry is changing as teachers connect with the biblical model found in Deuteronomy 6. It’s a transformational ministry model based in relationship and marked by experiential learning, creative presentations of biblical truth, meaningful conversations connecting the Bible to real life and activities which result in lasting life response.

Following is an excerpt from one regional leader’s report:

"At the seminar we held at the Lvov Theological seminary, the students learned the methodology of doing lessons for the kids. They had an opportunity to practice every element of the Bible model. Students received the theoretical knowledge and also did some practical exercises. They learned to build their own lessons using the elements of the Model of the Children’s worker [found in Deuteronomy 6]. They practiced consecutive and logical teaching of the Bible truths; they learned to make discussion questions and activities for the practical usage of the Bible truths. In addition, they had a chance to see the lessons for the kids of different age groups, based on the model.

I thank God for His blessings and guidance in this program. The Lord inspired people and gave them the desire to gain professional knowledge to be effective children’s workers, leading kids to Christ! Praise the Lord!"

- Kachan Nataliya, North Region Coordinator

Emmanuel Manishimwe

While navigating in the dark the windy roads of rural Uganda you would want a reliable driver. That is exactly how I became acquainted with Emmanuel. He was our recommended drive on our Every Generation Ministries, EGM, mission trip in early 2013. Being in the hands of a man whose name means “God with us” sets your mind at ease when facing the unknown. During the twenty plus hours together, Emmanuel shared his love for God and his desire to see people drawn to a deeper faith. As we shared our mission of training local children’s church workers how to teach children about Christ, it was apparent that Emmanuel wanted the same thing or his people in Uganda.

As a retired teacher I love being able to use my God given gifts to work with EGM. Through this organization I have been able to meet so many wonderful people who have the desire to carry the message of Jesus Christ to the ends of the world, like Emmanuel. Seeing young people wanting to change the world around them is so inspiring to me. It is our desire to see lives transformed by the story of redemption through Jesus Christ.

Just as Emmanuel successfully guided us along the roads of western Uganda, I know he is a capable leader in EGM’s expansion efforts in East and Central Africa.

Linda Beaver
EGM Supporter 

EGM Curriculum for Middle East & North Africa

High expectations were set on what was called in the news the Arab Spring. Nations were hoping that the wind of change would bring freedom and democracy. Unfortunately, that was not the case; people were frustrated and hoped they could go back to where they were before the self-immolation of Mohammed Bouazizi in Tunisia in December 2010. Looking for the reason, some think that people were not yet prepared, did not have clear definition of democracy or did not have the right and just leaders. All the above reasons are valid. However, instead of waiting for ‘change’, people needed ‘transformation.’ Unless the Son transforms people, Spring will never arrive; “If the Son therefore make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” John 8:36. 

EGM curriculum for the Arabic speaking world, the MENA, is all about ‘transformation.’ Away from the world’s distractions, fifteen elite writers from Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and Egypt gathered in July 2013 to write lessons for pilot 1 in an inspiring place on Mount Lebanon overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. It was an intensive time introducing Every Generation Ministries' Model, learning and writing according to it. 

“I was given the chance to write in a more organized and effective way.” Thouraya wrote, one of the writers from Lebanon. Another writer, Maha from Jordan, expressed her feelings saying: “We are teaching the kids to live a different life, to have their life transformed; we are teaching them the truth through the EGM Model.” Our vision is to provide the Arabic speaking churches with a three-year locally written curriculum based on Deuteronomy chapter six. Pilot 1 & Pilot 2 will serve as a road map to starting the curriculum. Writers are excited, partners are ready and the winds of transformation will surely come to include every generation. 

Youeel Tarabay
Executive Director 
Fondation Le Grain De Ble, Lebanon

India

Thirty years ago, as a young children’s ministry leader, I felt the LORD touching my heart concerning India, the country with the largest population of boys and girls. Evangelism Resources (ER) invited EGM to travel to Delhi last month to meet with ER leaders regarding children’s ministry work. Evangelism Resources continues to encounter vast numbers of children in the midst of their church planting efforts and evangelism activities. One leader told me that when you enter into a village with a guitar, balloon or yo-yo, you can expect to have a crowd of children immediately gather around you. They are eager and willing participants and most open to the gospel.

Some interesting facts about India:

•  There are over 800 million mobile phones in use.
•  Uttar Pradesh, a state with over 205 million people, would be the 5^th largest country in the world if it stood alone from India.
•  In 1947, the year of Independence from England, India’s population was less than 400 million. In just 65 years, the population has tripled.
• There are 18 languages with over 10 million native speakers.

India is a vast and glorious country with a complex and diverse society. In the midst of it all stands the church of God working to share the love of Jesus Christ and the message of salvation with children. Both Evangelism Resources and The Evangelical Fellowship of India, which is comprised of over 38,000 churches, has asked EGM to return to India in April 2015. We will be working with key children’s ministry leaders for an EGM training program and to explore ways that we might serve together to see children transformed in Christ through His church in India. We will keep you posted.

In His Steps,

Daniel Watts

President

Mexico Ministry

We don’t always get to see the results of our ministry efforts.

In fact, many of our ministry efforts must be done in simple faith that God is doing what He wants to do in His own perfect timing, whether or not we get to SEE the results this side of Heaven. Children’s workers everywhere look at the child in their class and wonder, “What will God do with this little one?”

For Daniel Watts, EGM President and Founder, having Krysten Norkaitis on the EGM staff is one of those glimpses into the future life of a child in EGM’s ministry. While serving as a children’s pastor in Orange County, California (in his days before EGM was founded in 1993) Daniel met little blonde, energetic Krysten. Krysten was eager to learn, had a heart for God and was an enthusiastic participant in the church’s children’s ministry program.

When leaving the US to move his family to Poland, Daniel had to say goodbye to Krysten and the other children he’d passionately served in his years of church ministry. Isn’t it wonderful that God’s plan for a child isn’t dependent on only one person? God was busy in those years as Krysten was growing up. He was preparing her for ever increasing challenges and He was sending many godly mentors into her life to prepare her for those adventures.

In the brief time he had to teach and disciple Krysten, Daniel had no idea that she would one day be called of God to serve as an overseas missionary in Argentina. Daniel certainly never envisioned that the work he started in Poland (Every Generation Ministries) would grow into an international ministry and that little Krysten would one day be used of God strategically to develop EGM ministries throughout Latin America.

Krysten served for several years as EGM’s Latin America Regional Director beginning in 2006. Later, she accepted the challenge to be EGM’s North America Hispanic Ministries director, leading the charge as EGM has expanded its work into the enormous country of Mexico. While the work there is growing and thriving, the need is great. Our Mexican leaders tell us that 85,000 churches in Mexico need help with their children’s ministry. Every day the work is being done to grow into a few more churches.

Recently, God has used Krysten to spark a ministry vision for helping the ever-growing Spanish-speaking population in the churches of the USA. The needs of these churches are great and God has uniquely gifted Krysten to be a strong and capable advocate for them!

Is there a little “Krysten” near you today, how are you investing in them? God might want to use you to be a part in preparing them for something you never could have expected. Let Him use you and watch what He will do through the life of that little one!

Joe Cox

Vice President of International Ministries

Mikhail Lozovoi

“I could not stand the lessons in our Sunday School when I was a child”, shares Mikhail Lozovoi, “that is why after I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord, I became a children's worker. My goal is that kids in my class or club will find life in Jesus".

Even before we met with Mikhail in 2007, he was searching for biblical ways of teaching the truth to the future generations. Mikhail was invited to join the Board of Directors of EGM-Ukraine and later considered as one of candidates for the position of EGM-UA Director.

His enthusiasm of sharing the Biblical Model, evident love to children, deep knowledge of the Truth, readiness to pioneer the work of EGM in the country convinced the Board that he is the person for the job. Since 2008 EGM-UA grew to the team of 10 dedicated workers (6 of them represent EGM in different parts of Ukraine) and twice as many volunteers. The office in the city of Dnipropetrovsk process dozens of phone-calls, e-mails and walk-in visits daily, providing children workers with necessary resources.

The most requested by churches training seminar “Model teaching through creativity” is developed by Tatiana, who readily travels with Mikhail to teach it to children workers countrywide. While continuing to direct the work of Sunday school in Central Baptist church, Mikhail is now appointed to organize and supervise Christian camps for children in the Dnipropetrovsk area. This widens EGM's involvement in the preparation of camp workers so that they will relate to children and teach them according to the Model.

Recent seminars on Titus project for EGM staff and Board of Directors placed new a task before EGM-Ukraine – develop and implement strategy for in-country giving. Mikhail as the Director accepted the challenge and excels in inspiring the team and the Board to bring EGM-Ukraine on the next level of becoming truly national ministry. What inspires Mikhail in the process is that God wants to transform lives of millions of kids in Ukraine through His church in this country.

Igor Fridrikh

Eastern Europe Regional Director

Poland Leadership Development

Poland has a unique place in Every Generation Ministries’ history because it was the first country to begin the work of EGM. Among the many early contacts made by Daniel and Marla Watts in the beginning years of ministry was Agata Rysiewicz who stood out as one who had a special heart for children and for the Lord. Gifted as a teacher and a trainer, she quickly became involved in the Leadership Development ministry of EGM- Poland and began training children’s ministry leaders in the principles of the Model Children’s Worker from Deuteronomy 6:4-9. So many years later she is still going strong, not only teaching in various churches around Poland, but also in several college-level Bible schools located in various cities across the country. Agata stays current in children’s ministry by working with children weekly as well as writing curriculum and organizing children’s camps. One of the passions of her heart is training teenagers to become as assistant teachers at training camps. As these young people are catching the vision of children being transformed in Christ, Agata is ensuring that this generation will continue to serve in children’s ministry. One of the amazing results she’s seen at these children’s ministry training camps aimed at Polish teens is that teenagers (not only those from churched homes but also many from orphanages) are finding God’s plan for their lives. As you think of Agata, pray for protection as she travels much of the time, for times of refreshment and for her to continue to hear the call God has on her life to see children Transformed in Christ through His Church in Poland.

Francie Overstreet

Leadership Development Director

Teach people that are able to teach others as well

When writing to Timothy, his disciple, Paul encouraged him: “What you have heard from me through many witnesses entrust to faithful people who will be able to teach others as well.”

(2 Timothy 2:2, ISV).

We believe that our calling is to make disciples, equipping them and sending them to equip others.  Almost every weekend, the experienced trainers from ReMa (The EGM ministry in Hungary) are meeting their students with Paul’s desire in mind. Every single participant is a proof of God’s love for the children. Every single graduation becomes a celebration and an opportunity to testify new beginnings in ministry.

This year ReMa has had 3 courses in the fall and 4 courses in the spring in 3 different cities in Hungary. 14 different churches are now equipped to have a transformational ministry to children. ReMa’s trainers are mostly volunteers, and dedicated relational teachers, called by God to this service.

The results are incredible! People are being equipped in a very professional way to become tools in God’s hands. If in the beginning they are shy and curious, they leave with boldness and courage, ready to serve God in their communities, to share the Gospel and make disciples among the children in a biblical way, adapted to culture, age and development level.

One of our current students shared with ReMa some of his thoughts during the training:

"The ReMa-course is a huge blessing to our church! It brings us, teachers, nearer to each other as well, and that increases our effectiveness in the ministry. I think the children enjoy coming to the Bible classes more; they became more open and so are we. Our message can have a bigger impact on their lives now."

Mike Zaharia

Central Europe Resource Team Director

Mexico Team Update

It was as if the entire room was energized and it was a feeling we would experience again during every encounter with the EGM-Mexico Baja team. They were teaching the Model Children’s Worker (MCW) at a camp called Agua Viva near Ensenada. Eric, Gabby, Leonora, Joni, Pati and Elva taught with serious purpose, but also with joy, laughter, creativity and great warmth. It is always an infectious training, inspiring attendees to see boys and girls come to live life with Jesus. Their hearts were and are clearly bound together by God’s heart for the children, but not just for the children in Baja. Their desire is to be used of God to see children transformed in Christ in all of Mexico and wherever else God might send them. So, they teach other children’s workers, write curriculum, strategically plan, train new leaders, serve in their church ministries to children, communicate God’s heart for children, PRAY and GO! Recently, Elva shared a story of a man that God was clearly calling to work with children, but he had not yet recognized that this was God’s plan for him. He had heard about God’s heart for the children, had even taken the MCW training, understood it, but thought it wasn't for him. Then God placed him in an unfamiliar situation; a fair for children, and God kept having children come to him for help. “My nose is bleeding”, “I fell down” and he was the one ministering to them. Then he heard the still, small voice of God’s call and embraced the call to see children transformed in Christ.

This is a very special and unique team. Please pray for them as they serve the LORD by modeling lives who seek to do God’s will on behalf of children.

Francie Overstreet

Leadership Development Director

To find out more about the EGM-Mexico Ministry CLICK HERE

When Every Generation Ministries began to investigate the possibilities of supporting the start of a national ministry in the Democratic Republic of Congo, we knew it wouldn't be simple.

But, God deeply loves the children of DRCongo, He has seen fit to overcome these many challenges and has fueled His vision through a small group of dedicated children’s workers in the community of Goma in Eastern DRCongo. After receiving training from EGM, a small band of Christian leaders decided to share the vision for biblical, transformational ministry with children by training others in their community. They began training one church team after another as well as coaching Sunday school teachers using their own money to travel and conduct the training seminars.

In November 2012, the “M23” group of rebels moved to control Goma where heavy fighting ensued. The battles have driven countless thousands out of their homes and to various refugee camps. Those who stayed behind suffered hunger and disease as supply chains were broken and clean water was unavailable. The EGM team prayed and waited for news of the Goma team and from various scraps of news eventually pieced together that the team was safe.

Following is an excerpt from a recent communication from one of those leaders:

Just to tell you that we are very well. God keeps us against many bad things. As you know, we have a goal to prepare the next generation which will make difference in Congo and the world in general. That's why in spite of the war and traumatic things we cannot stop. We have to go ahead. Yesterday, we met with the children ministry's staff from chaplaincy of one of the Christian universities (ULPGL).  They need to be trained. They heard many churches talking about EGM training and the result that churches get after been trained in their children ministries. We need your prayers. May God inspire each trainer and protect learners.

What a privilege to pray for protection for this courageous team! Praise God that He is working and that miracles are happening in lives of Congolese children. Let’s allow their courage to of these faithful ones to encourage us as we support their work!

Joe Cox

To help support the work going on in DRCongo visit http://www.egmworld.org/donate

Uganda November 1, 2012

*During the next two weeks look on our Facebook for our blog posts about Daniel and Joe's most recent trip to Uganda, including stories and photos. Please share these posts with your friends and family.

November 1, 2012

Praise the LORD for another day to serve in Kisoro, Uganda. Yesterday was a great day for EGM. My colleague Joe Cox did most if the teaching. He did a great job teaching the TRUTH seminar and God surely touched the hearts of the teachers. The TRUTH seminar included an experiential activity where teachers wrote the needs of a child within their ministry on an orange post-it-note. Then, they prayed and asked the LORD for insight into how His Word might meet the need of that child. Next, they were asked to write the text and main idea on a pink heart post-it-note where they stuck it onto the wall adjacent to the orange sticker. It is hard to describe in words the precious way that God touched the children's workers. After they returned to their seats, Joe asked if anyone wanted to share. A precious teacher stood up and shared her experience:

"I have one hundred and twenty children in my class. They are all very naughty. Sometimes I have had to beat them with a stick. The boys act very naughty and even crawl out the windows. I even started to hate the children and did not want to teach them anymore." Then she began to weep declaring her desire to repent of her lack of love for the boys and girls and expressed her renewed commitment to ministering the love of Christ to children.

The post-it-note activity touched their hearts so deeply showing them that God loves these children and He wants them to love these children as well.

Daniel Watts

To donate to EGM visit us at egmworld.org/donate

Mexico Update

This year proved to be very significant for EGM’s work in Mexico. Under Eric Solorio’s leadership, the training team doubled in size working with more churches and Children’s Workers than in the past several years combined!

Many children in Baja have benefited from this work. They had the opportunity to learn about God’s Word in a way they could understand and were challenged to live it out in their lives. Leea is one of these children. She is 2 1/2 years old and attends Vino Nuevo church in Ensenada. After learning about the importance of prayer, she was challenged to write down the name of one person that she wanted to pray for each day. To help her remember to pray, she posted her prayer log on her refrigerator. That week, every day before lunch, Leea led her family in prayer for those on her list including her uncle who was sad and Juanito, a little boy whose father had left him. Leea not only wanted to pray for these people before her meals, but also at bedtime. Her parents describe their prayer time with Leea as a “glorious moment”. Even though she was only challenged to pray for one week, she has continued. She has added additional names to her list and continues to interceded in prayer for them. At church last month, her teacher asked the children if anyone wanted to pray and even though Leea is only 1 1/2 years old, she went up front and led her class in prayer. God has used EGM to grow Leea’s heart to converse with Him and for this we are very thankful!!

Krysten Norkaitis

EGM Romania - 2012 National Conference

Every fall offers us a wonderful gift. It is the time when Children’s Workers from churches all over Romania join together with a strong desire to grow in the area of their giftedness. Some of them are with us for the first time where they discover the Bible model for teaching children. Relationship, Truth, Discussion, Experience and Response are the elements that provide us with the opportunity of teaching in way that is transformational. Others return to our conference by their desire to improve and grow combined with their positive past experience. All of the subjects offer a practical and biblical approach! The National Conference of EGM-Romania took place this year in Brasov (October 12-14^th 2012). The feedback provided by over 100 participants was so encouraging giving us the confirmation that the ministry is on the right path in honoring God and helping churches reach children with His love:

“Before attending your conference, I used to be a preaching type teacher. My whole conception about ministry is changed now. Today was the first time I had a discussion with my children and didn't deliver a sermon. It is so wonderful to listen and see how they personally grasp the concepts! It was a conference where I could see and feel God’s strong hand! Thank you for allowing Him to use you!” 

(Emanuela, Sunday school teacher)

“I appreciated and was pleasantly surprised to discover your clear, evangelical – biblical approach of children’s ministry. For such a long time, we had the impression that you can tell anything, in any way to the little ones, and that all that mattered was that they would feel good. EGM helped me understand the cunningness of the evil one. They offered me a healthy teaching that is relevant so that the children will have a real opportunity to know God. It is so wonderful to be able to deliver spiritual, eternal and profound truths in simple words and in a way children will really understand! We've seen that God gave you this wisdom.”           (Mihai, Sunday school teacher)

Marian Zaharia – EGM Representative

EGM-Peru Reaches the Andes Mountains

In 2009, when EGM-Peru was just beginning to take root, one message was clear: These Peruvian leaders were not in this for their own benefit, but for the whole country.  They told us about the millions of people who lived outside the capital city in areas where it was difficult at times to receive a shipment of fruit in the market, let alone adequate training and materials for children’s ministry. 

“All of the resources are here in Lima,” they said.  “We are going to change that.”

EGM-Peru is not a branch of a U.S. mission, rather a mission of their own to their country.  In each board meeting, we have discussed when, how and where to pass on EGM’s message to more rural places – places where children’s workers literally sit with only a bible and a pencil, praying for guidance in ministering to the boys and girls of their church.

In August, two EGM-Peru leaders (with my family as joyful witnesses) traveled the twenty-hour ride to Abancay, Peru.  There, 41 children’s workers received the complete 16-hour EGM training on the Model Children’s Worker.  They came from 8 different denominations and traveled as far as 4 hours by bus to attend.  Among those were 5 people who want to volunteer at EGM-Peru, as EGM representatives in the region so that the churches will deepen their understanding and implementation of what they have learned.  One woman eagerly volunteered to begin translating the training materials into her native language of Quechua so villages even more remote could benefit from EGM’s work in the Abancay region.

We celebrate with EGM-Peru as we can already see that the Model Children’s Worker principles are transforming the Children’s Ministry in Abancay and children as a result are being transformed in Christ!




-Heather Chapman