At the 2016 BBFI National Meeting in Cape Cod, I heard from Jen Merryman, CEO of Children in Christ (CIC). She is a Harvard graduate, who through a definite call of God, is now leading a ministry touching lives of children in unreached areas.
Working in a major corporation, the Holy Spirit challenged her with this question, ‘Do you love me more than your work?’ Her honest answer of ‘No’ resulted in resigning her vocation, and spending time investing spiritually into her children. The second question she needed to answer from the Lord was, ‘Do you trust me, enough to submit to your husband?’ Her honest answer was ‘No’, but she was willing. Then her husband quit his job on Wall Street to follow a call God gave him at age 11 to serve the poor. They soon left for Africa.
Green Dots = Reached; Red Dots = Unreached
Children in Africa
Children are a systemic result of poverty. 1 of 2 people in Africa is a child.Africa is the fastest continent in the world. In 2050 1 out of 3 children in the world will be African.
Africa is a spiritual diverse continent. The southern area has a gospel witness. However, the northern half of Africa is filled with unreached people groups. It is a battle ground for children. Radical Muslims are targeting children. It is an incredible ministry opportunity.
CIC is specifically to children. It empowers the reached churches to reach the unreached groups. They teach children the stories of the Bible so they can tell other children. They offer training, encouragement, and resources.
The DNA of CIC is:
- Sow to the small but sow deeply. Sow small and humble.
- Sow to replace yourself.
- Sow with faith and no fear. Sow with hope and courage.
- Sow with simplicity. Key ideas: volunteerism, light footprint (no buildings, etc.), no give aways, even candy.
- Sow in partnership. Help churches reach the unreached.
CIC has logged 16 million hours in discipleship of children.
You can about the other sessions: BBFI in Cape Cod 2016.