Someone is Waiting for You

They are here, there, everywhere. They walk around us and talk to us. They are the many children who do not know the Savior yet. They have no parents, no teachers, no friends to explain how Jesus gave His life for all children. They are lost in a world full of suffering, distress, and sin. All that awaits them is ruin.

Someone must do something for them. Is that “someone” me—or maybe you?

The noble task of child evangelism

Child evangelism is about opening our hearts to give others all that we have. A great work can be done by leading children to Christ, helping them in their spiritual development, and supporting them with our prayers. If we entrust ourselves to God, the Holy Spirit will work in the hearts of those children whom we evangelize.

Evangelism for children can be carried out through Bible classes at children’s homes, outdoors, in camps, in vacation Bible schools, in conferences, in visits to hospitals, on radio and online programs, at prayer meetings, and wherever else you can think of.

Jesus evangelized children

“… Christ never lost sight of the children.... His large heart of love could comprehend their trials and necessities, and find happiness in their simple joys; and He took them in His arms and blessed them.” –Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, p. 179.2.

“In these children who were brought in contact with Him, Jesus saw the future men and women who should be heirs of His grace and subjects of His kingdom, and some of whom would become martyrs for His sake. He knew that these children would listen to Him and accept Him as their Redeemer far more readily than would the grown people, many of whom were worldly-wise and hardhearted. In His teaching He came down to their level. He, the Majesty of heaven, did not disdain to answer their questions and simplify His important lessons to meet their childish understanding. He planted in their expanding minds the seeds of truth, which in after years would spring up and bear fruit unto eternal life.” –Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, p. 180.1.

Jesus said: “… Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God” (Mark 10:14 KJV).

“When Jesus told the disciples not to forbid the children to come to Him, He was speaking to His followers in all ages, —to officers of the church, ministers, helpers, and all Christians. Jesus is drawing the children, and He bids us, ‘Suffer them to come’; as if He would say, They will come, if you do not hinder them.

“As the Holy Spirit moves upon the hearts of the children, co-operate with His work. Teach them that the Saviour is calling them, that nothing can afford Him greater joy than for them to give themselves to Him in the bloom and freshness of their years.” –Evangelism, p. 580.

“The Saviour regards with infinite tenderness the souls whom He has purchased with His blood. They are the claim of His love. He looks upon them with unutterable longing. His heart is drawn out, not only to the best-trained and most attractive children, but to those who by inheritance and through neglect have objectionable traits of character. Many parents do not understand how much they are responsible for these traits in their children.” –The Ministry of Healing, 44.2.

We should now imitate Jesus and continue with this important task

Every year, the Evangelism Department of the General Conference dedicates a week in August so that all God’s people may be united in this great task of child evangelism. This department provides several materials, such as Bible lessons, Christian songs, stories, and a variety of activities, both in English and Spanish, so that anyone who is willing to help can do so.

Many materials can be found on YouTube and on the following website: www.biblewell.org. You may also find them at www.sda1844.org.

During 2020, in many countries, we had the inconvenience of not being able to go out on the streets to work with children. But God opened other doors so that we could go on in carrying out this noble task.

In different parts of the world, several brothers and sisters joined in bilingual broadcasting in order to do child evangelism. Every day, for a week, hundreds of children gathered to share the broadcasting program entitled “My Friends Around the World.”

The brothers and sisters in Chile encouraged children to evangelize their friends. Believers in many other countries did the same.

The children who were already attending church shared with their classmates and neighbors, and the experiences of the children from different places soon began to arrive: A girl from Santo Domingo took her laptop to her cousins and neighbors so they could watch the broadcasting. Others phoned friends to remind them of the starting time of the program. Still others shared on Facebook as soon as the broadcasting began. Different IMS schools joined the program by inviting their students, even those who were not believers, to listen in.

It was wonderful to find out that there were about 600 computers connected to the program every day. God greatly blessed this activity.

Some of the YouTube videos have already had over 1,300 views. In Facebook, many children have taken the time to watch the whole videos, and some have been played over a thousand times! Now you can help us by sharing these videos.

But this work must go on. An inspired writing says: “If children early become familiar with the truths of God’s word, a barrier against ungodliness will be erected, and they will be able to meet the foe with the words, ‘It is written.’” –Gospel Workers, 208.2.

We must continue to evangelize children. Let us take advantage of every single moment to devise plans for the children who have not had the opportunity to hear about Jesus, who are eager to know the Savior but have no one to tell them of His love and of His plan to take His followers to heaven soon.

Dear reader, what are you doing for the children around you? How many do not know about Jesus yet? To how many have you exemplified the love of Jesus?