WHY CHILDREN? 3 Reasons…
- “Almost 2/3 (64%) of all Christians accept Christ before the age of 17. Almost 50% do so by age 13.” –George Barna (www.barna.org).
- “If a person under the age of 13 is presented the Gospel, there is a 32% chance that they will respond affirmatively when asked. Between ages 14-18, there is only a 4% chance. After age 18, the probability is 6%.” (www.barna.org)
3. Most of a child’s LIFETIME values are established prior to age 13.
– Dr. James Dobson, Focus on the Family (www.family.org).
There is only ONE logical, INESCAPABLE CONCLUSION: The critical, value-forming years through age 13 is when a person is MOST receptive to hearing the Gospel And RESPONDING affirmatively when asked!
After studying hundreds of church budgets, we know that children’s ministry is usually one of the least funded ministries in a typical church budget. It is a rare church that allocates more than 5% of their budget for children’s ministry. After providing for critical necessities such as the nursery and curriculum, there usually is not much left over for evangelism or special events.
DO YOU SEE…The importance of and critical shortage of missionaries that are reaching children for Jesus Christ? How receptive kids are to the Gospel?
Millions of children are not being asked…
Unless we act, it is likely that the vast majority will never be reached for Christ.
Wendy James 