How important it is to offer children throughout the world an opportunity to hear and heed the Good News of salvation. Was not Jesus twelve years old when He tarried in Jerusalem to hear the rabbis in the Temple, listening and asking questions? He grew “in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and with men” (Luke 2:41-52).

While Jesus showed adults that He was the Son of God through His words and witness, He told the disciples not to stop the children from coming to him for blessing. Parents brought to Him “babies” (Luke 18:15), little “children” (Mark 9:36; 10:16) and older “children” (Matthew 19:14-15). Jesus wants everyone to have the opportunity to enter the kingdom of God.

In His ministry Jesus heals a boy with epilepsy, “a lunatic” (Matthew 17:14-18). He casts out “an unclean spirit” from a girl who was possessed (Mark 7:24-30; Matthew 15:21-28), and He raises a girl from the dead who was “twelve years old” (Mark 5:21-43). Jesus truly cared about children.

Remember that a boy brought “five barley loaves and two fish” (John 6:9) to Jesus. And “from childhood” (2 Timothy 1:5; 3:15-16) Timothy was taught by his mother and grandmother the Holy Scriptures and became a great partner with Paul. Also notice that children were crying out in the temple, “Hosanna to the Son of David” (Matthew 21:15).

Many of the SMS missionaries have shared reports about their summer programs in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and Moldova. In each country week-long camps were conducted for different age groups. Many children enjoyed sports, crafts and various other activities. Also, they had the opportunity to hear about Jesus and the reason that He came to the earth. Some made wonderful decisions concerning salvation and growth in the Christian life. Others chose still to think about the messages that were presented.

Pray that parents will see the importance of attending church services with their children, especially those children who have made decisions to follow Christ.  And pray that the SMS missionaries may continue to share the Gospel message to families with children in the fall and winter months through other outreaches.