I Spy Missions: Kids’ World at Celebration

Missionary kid Ella Olsen (Kenya) is on the hunt
for clues about missions and God's love.

Discover. Decide. Defend. This is the motto that the children attending International Celebration of Missions are following during this year’s Kids’ World program. While their parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles are learning how to “Demonstrate Missions,” the kids are exploring missions and the life of Jesus as undercover spies. They are searching for answers to these important questions: Is Jesus really God’s son? Was Jesus more than just a good man? Was Jesus’ death real? Is Jesus alive? What do I do with the evidence about Jesus?

During the opening session on Thursday night, June 25, while the group was waiting for the missionary speaker, missionary kid Lucas Bowen (Paraguay) said, “Well, I’m a missionary.” What a quick learner!

Director Victoria Herring (Homeland Ministries support staff) shared that there were 46 children registered for the nursery (0-3) and Kids’ World (4-11) programs. Missionaries John and Beth Muehleisen (Uganda) brought down the house Thursday night as they introduced the kids to Lazarus, John’s ventriloquist dummy friend. Lazarus combined humor with Bible stories about Zacchaeus and Jonah to remind the kids that God always hears their prayers and that there’s no better place to be than where God calls you.

Upcoming missionary speakers include Lisette Lewis (Uganda), John and Linda Spriegel (Kenya), LeRoy and Sandy Anderson (American Indian Field), Mike Chupp (Kenya), and Billy Coppedge (Uganda).

PRAY: Please pray that the children will have open hearts and minds as they explore missions and God’s love for them. Pray also for creativity and energy for the missionary speakers, lesson leaders, and volunteers as they help the next generation learn how to “Demonstrate Missions.”