TWENTY-FIVE percent of the American population is under the age of ten years. This is a staggering thought as the church assesses its total evangelistic goals to preach the gospel to "every creature." Another 25 percent of the American population is under the age of twenty-five. These statistics reveal that working for adults only in evangelistic outreach projects leaves approximately one half of the American population almost untouched. There are multitudes of boys and girls in every community of our land who need to be reached with the message of the soon appearing of Christ.
In Counsels on Sabbath School Work, page 55, we read:
The expanding minds of even small children may comprehend very much in regard to the teachings of Christ, and may be taught to love Him with all their ardent affections. Teachers and parents [and ministers] should sow beside all waters, and if faithful they may have a harvest of souls by and by.
The ministry for children has been a disputed ministry down through the ages, being called a "baby-sitting program." It is also a blessed ministry, and God prospers the church that has the vision to work for the children in its parish. The concept of the unimportance of children in the church was in the minds of the disciples in Christ's day.
Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven (Matt. 19:13, 14).
Again, Jesus said to Peter, as He gave him his divine commission to preach the gospel: Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs (John 21:15).
The commission to "feed my lambs" was primary in Christ's mind and is a ministry, in the most part, greatly overlooked by the church today.
Why is this such an important ministry? By the time a boy or girl has reached the age of 13, 14, or 15 the attractions of the world have, for the most part, taken hold on his life and have become routine in his daily living. The temptations of smoking, drugs, the theater, and other debasing activities have captivated his life, and religion is just not for him. It seems that the goal to "live it up" is appealing to a younger age of children each year, and if the church does not captivate their interest in religious things before this time, very few will take the step for Christ.
Reaching boys and girls at an early age with the good news of the gospel is a re warding ministry. Have you ever heard a boy of ten or eleven say, "Pastor, I just do not feel impressed right now to take my stand for Christ," or "Pastor, don't press me. I'm too busy making a living for my family"? Or have you ever heard a little twelve-year-old lady say, "I've gone too far in sin to come back. It's too late for me"? Or a ten-year-old say, "There's too much to give up"?
The Bible says, "Train up a child in the way he should go" (Prov. 22:6). Do not wait until he has formed so many characteristics of the world that it is impossible to reach him with salvation.
The year 1972 has been designated for total evangelism in our churches. In preparing for this outreach program, the Sabbath School Department, in cooperation with the Ministerial Department, has prepared special programs for children to be held in conjunction with public evangelistic meetings for adults. The children's meetings are to be followed up with Neighborhood Bible Clubs. (These supplies are available through your local Sabbath school department.) Do not overlook this important ministry in your evangelistic program.
The beauty and virtue of the word of God have a transforming influence upon mind and character; the sparks of heavenly love will fall upon the hearts of the children as an inspiration. We may bring hundreds and thousands of children to Christ if we will work for them. Counsels to Teachers, p. 172.
We need to work for children lovingly and deliberately in the Spirit of Christ, for ours is a spiritual ministry. We also need to expect results; for children, too, need a chance to hear the wonderful story of salvation.
