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Children's Corner: Calling All Kid Missionaries

Jim Cook, Next Generation Ministries

I have a question for you, kids. At what age do you think most missionaries felt God was calling them to be missionaries? The answer may surprise you. According to Mr. Russ Ebersole, Jr., over half of ABWE’s missionaries felt the call of God to be a missionary before the age of fourteen. He also told me that this is true not just with ABWE but with other mission boards as well. Guess what? Dr. Michael Loftis, president of ABWE, told me the same thing. In fact, he was nine years old when he knew God was calling him to be a missionary. Dr. Bill Commons, another missionary, was eight years old when he felt God calling him into missions. Mr. John Kallin, who has been a missionary in Brazil for about forty years, felt like God was asking him to be a missionary when he was eleven years old.

So, is God calling you into missions? If God places in your heart a desire to help others know about His love, if you get excited hearing missionaries speak, if something inside you says: “I wonder if God could ever use me to be a missionary?” consider making these two commitments to God.

Commitment Number 1: Will you commit to telling other people (your friends and family) about Jesus? A person does not become a missionary when he or she becomes an adult or crosses an ocean. People become missionaries when they share Jesus Christ with other people.

Commitment Number 2: Will you commit to go anywhere Jesus wants you to go? Are you going to follow Him to any city or country where He leads you?

Be a K.M. (Kid Missionary) and let us know about it. We can help you. Let your parents know too; maybe they will pray for you. If you want more information on how to be a Kid Missionary, ask your parents if you can email me at jcook@abwe.org.