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

Impacting Lives in Peru

Every Generation Ministries is consistently invited in to churches around the world  to lead “Model Children’s Worker” trainings to both leaders and laypersons. The basic tenants of the material are practical and effective in teaching children about Jesus.     

Corina Mezarino, a member of Christian Alliance Church of San Miguel in Peru, shared her testimony of the impact “Model Children’s Worker”  training has made on the lives of the children in her church. 

“Model Children’s Worker”  information changed the perspective of how to teach children biblical principles. I have been using typical school methods to teach the lessons, but the only outcome was that children learned Bible stories. What I really wanted was for the children to apply the biblical principles of God's Word to their lives. The “Model” allows me to touch fibers deeper in the children and help them understand the principles that God has left us in His Word.

The children of Peru already face an increasingly aggressive world that is perverse and alienated from God. I wish with all my heart that the children can burn God’s principles into their hearts that will help them make good decisions. Only then can they have abundant lives. I firmly believe that as I continue using this “Model”, the children’s development stages will increasingly become refined.

I pray that other churches could be blessed with this Model so that in unity we can see transformed lives of our children for future generations.

We are thankful for testimonies like Carina’s. We share her prayer request that more churches could have access to The Model Children’s Worker material.  To read exciting reports of how God is blessing in other countries through Every Generation Ministries, read our blog.

We are also gathering Teacher Tool Kits  to bless the teachers in Peru and other countries who have little to no supplies including pencils and paper. If you would like to provide a Teacher Tool Kit, make a donation or ask a question, please contact our office. 

Mexican EGM participants give towards EGM’s growing ministry in Africa…

A few weeks ago, I preached in a local church in Ensenada, Mexico where EGM has been serving for years. I shared about my recent trip to the D.R. Congo in Africa where God is using EGM in the work He is doing there. God is stirring in the hearts of church leaders showing them the importance of spiritually investing in children. They know by doing this, God can use the Congolese children to bring healing and peace to their own country. After I finished preaching, the senior pastor, Ramon Ruiz, reiterated the importance of discipling children and reminded the congregation how God is using EGM to impact the lives of the children in their church. Pastor Ramon also said that he felt God was calling their congregation to join in the work God is doing in Africa. Despite the fact they had already collected the offering, Pastor Ramon encouraged the church members to give again and to give generously towards this work. The church members gave joyfully and generously as they praised God. We thank God for the generosity of the Mexican people and rejoice in the $260 that was collected which

will result in more Congolese boys and girls having the opportunity to learn of God’s transformational love!

Krysten Norkaitis

North America Hispanic Ministries Director

To find out more about Krysten and the ministry in Mexico visit:

http://www.egmworld.org/where-we-work/expanding-our-reach-mexico

To support EGM-Mexico or Krysten Norkaitis visit: 

http://www.egmworld.org/donate

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

EGM Romania

“I shouldn’t have even been interviewed for the position, but God made it possible,” reflects Daniel Bruda, who today serves as national director for Every Generation Ministries in Romania. The Romanian EGM board had already decided to close the interviews when they were working through the process of hiring their first director but decided to make an exception so that Daniel could meet with them. 

Today, those board members are glad they made that exception. Energy, vision and determination have been hallmarks for Daniel’s ministry these last 10 years serving with EGM, and God has seen fit to bless Daniel’s efforts to build a team of respected volunteers, board members and staff members who bear the same marks. Under Daniel’s leadership, God has allowed this formidable team to build a strong ministry which today provides children’s ministry training resources for the nearly 8,000 evangelical churches in Romania. 

Under Daniel’s leadership, a Romanian team has created a beautiful 3 year children’s ministry curriculum on 3 different age levels. Romanians are known to be open to technological advances and web use is wide-spread, so the curriculum went online! That’s why today you can often see a Romanian children’s worker accessing the EGM-Romania website to refer to their lesson curriculum via a smart phone in the Sunday school classroom. Well-attended regional conferences regularly provide training for children’s workers and a big national conference is also being offered annually. Not only is the national conference completely funded by Romanians, it has been the birthplace for a missionary vision which today funds regular outreach to Romanian church leaders in Vienna, Austria and Chisnau, Moldova. 

Raised in the communist era by Christian parents, Daniel is no stranger to ministry trials and is not easily daunted, even in the somewhat challenging ministry environment of Romania. His focus just now is two-fold: to develop regional EGM leadership who will provide individualized coaching in children’s ministry and to develop the last bit of funding necessary so that the Romanian ministry will be 100% funded from inside Romania. 

By the way, there are two men with the last name of “Bruda” who serve with Every Generation Ministries and if that has confused you at times, you’re not alone! Daniel’s brother, Alex Bruda, serves as EGM’s Central Europe regional leader. Daniel lives in the city of Cluj with his wife, Nicoleta, and young daughter Cristiana. 

Joe Cox

Vice President of International Ministries