Prayer for International Ministry
This sermon celebrates nine years of ministry to international children through Bible stories and English instruction, recounting the vision's origins and current needs for mentors, teachers, drivers, and expanded outreach.
Introduction
The first Sunday night of each month during 1997 we are spending in prayer with a specific theme. Tonight is no different. We are going to concentrate on our ministry with the international children. I will be giving some background material and some dreams for the future and then we will pray for these children and us as workers. Let’s begin with a time of singing.
The Vision Begins
About nine years ago, Honey Rogers had a dream. Her desire to help refugees from Southeast Asia led her to see a real opportunity. The adults knew little if any English. She tried to help. She noticed too that the children were unable to speak, read, or write our language. The parents of these children wanted them to learn English, customs, and social skills. Like most of us who want our children to fit in, these parents wanted the same thing for their children. Honey saw the opportunity for English to be taught while doing so by telling Bible stories. Thus was born the ministry which now exists around us. It was a one-person ministry for a time. Honey brought the children, taught the children, and loved the children. But with time (and I’m sure it seemed like a long time) she began to bring others into the ministry.
The International Children’s Bible Hour
The International Children’s Bible Hour was born. Numerous adults helped to teach and encourage these children. Our elders selected Samuel and Anlaura Clark to lead these children in a time of teaching. Because of Samuel’s cancer, they were unable to fulfill that ministry task and Vivian Ryan stepped in admirably. I wouldn’t even try to call all the names of those who have assisted in the teaching of these children over the years. Let’s just say that it was not one person doing all the work. So many gave their time, energy, and love to these kids.
There were problems. There were difficulties. There were times when some wondered where we were supposed to go in this ministry. There were times we wondered about our long term commitment financially and physically with these families. There were growing pains and there were pains of acceptance. But through it all, Honey believed in the dream and so did others. The rest of us may have been blind, faithless, and unimaginative, but those involved with the kids knew the possibilities. And in the process the children learned English and they learned something about God.
The time came when these children no longer needed English lessons. What they needed was a place to belong. Let’s pause here and offer a prayer of thanksgiving for the past.
Current Involvement and Leadership
Nine years is a long time to work in a ministry. During those nine years more and more of you have become involved in the ministry. Someone leaves every Sunday morning to go and pick up many of these children. Others go in their personal vehicles to get some children. Approximately 25–30 children come each Sunday. We also have four adults who come regularly. Many of you serve as Christian Aunts and Uncles. You provide a place for these children to have a sense of belonging. In addition to having a seat on the pew for the children you try to keep in contact with the child throughout the weeks and months. In many ways you have become a person in whom these children learn about Jesus in a very personal way. You have become mentors as well as friends.
Currently there is a committee given responsibility for thinking about and helping this ministry function. Brad Forgy, Kris and Cindy Shipley, Toy Hicks, Honey Rogers, Crit Hunt, and Randy Porter form this committee. Most of the children are in regular classes on Sunday morning. Toy, Honey, and Paul Goddard teach special classes. Randy Porter organizes the van schedule. Allen Wagner, Randy Curtis, and Jimmy Stewart drive the van on a regular basis. The parents of these children are very supportive of what is taking place here. What began as a way for their children to get accustomed to a new culture has turned into a place where the parents feel their children are safe and a place they can trust.
Future Needs
What are the needs for this ministry?
First, we need more Christian aunts and uncles. We need individuals who will help these children to continue to grow in their faith. In this role, you will be a mentor and friend. You will help the child have a place to sit on Sunday. You will help develop a friendship with the child by remembering things like their birthday, calling them to help with school work, and sending notes of encouragement.
Second, we need to make a concerted effort to help these kids feel a part of the life of this congregation. For most of these children, transportation is a problem. We need volunteers to drive the church van not only for Sunday morning but for other activities. The people who plan activities juggle a lot of things. They need people who they can count on to pick these children up for congregational activities. This would go a long way in helping these young people feel a part of our congregation.
Third, we need teachers. We need people to help these children come to a better faith in Jesus. Four of these children have become Christians: Sokhom Eam, Sokha Eam, Chanta Koeun, and Han Nguyen. Others will as they are taught. Sometimes the Christian aunt or uncle can do the teaching. Other times the children will need someone else to help lead them to Christ in a more direct way.
Fourth, we need to see the future. There are another 20 or more children who would come if transportation were provided. If we truly wanted to increase this ministry we could. The possibilities are real. The opportunity is available. This is a ministry in our own community. While many of these children come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, their families are hard working and willing participants in our country. As we have seen with Mr. Koeun many will become citizens of our nation. Beyond the political and economical lines, created in God’s image, God has blessed us with a ministry. Let’s continue to do what we can.
Prayer
Let’s now pray for the current and future work in this ministry.
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