Missions education still useful, churches say

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September 24, 2006
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With X-Box, I-Pod, and Blackberry vying for the attention of today’s kids, some churches have left traditional missions education behind or replaced it with more “hip” alternatives. Others have replaced missions education for programs such as AWANA?a discipleship program with little missions education.

But some SBTC churches have found that traditional mission education programs, such as Royal Ambassadors, Girls in Action, and Mission Friends can still reach kids and excite them about mission opportunities worldwide and at home.

At Cedar Bayou Baptist Church in Baytown, RAs and GAs are a tradition.

“I think it’s been a part of this church for a long time,” said Pastor Mark Brousard. “The men have a heart for working with RAs and the women have a heart for teaching GAs. They want to pass it on. It is engrained in them.”

Brousard believes the Cooperative Program has benefited from mission education in the church. “I think it does help,” he said. “The church has been here since 1943 and they have carried that on.”

Carrying on in an established group is new RA leader Chad Bixler of First Baptist Church in Rusk. He leads a year-round group of approximately 20 boys in grades 1-5 and he believes RAs plays an important role in mission education, as well as promoting involvement in the Cooperative Program.

“Most people only see what’s in their little circle,” Bixler said. “RAs show that it is more than just what you have to do here.”

Bixler began working with RAs as a helper before being approached to take over the program last June. He jumped at the chance. “I’m sold on it,” he said.

Encouraging a life-long love of missions is the goal of Forest Hills Baptist Church in Sequin.

“We begin presenting the challenge and excitement of sharing Christ with others at an early age, praying that the enthusiasm will grow throughout the lifetime of each child,” said Pastor Mitch Kolenovsky.

The church uses a combination of mission activities, including Kids on Mission material produced by the International Mission Board and Lifeway VBS mission material to teach missions to children from kindergarten through sixth grade.

Forest Hills has seen significantly increased awareness of mission giving thanks to its kids’ missions ed program.

“Our Kid’s Klub collects and sells aluminum cans and takes up an offering each week during their mission study time. All of the proceeds go toward various mission projects. This year our VBS offering for missions was over $1,100,” Kolenovsky said.

At First Baptist Church of Bastrop, RAs, GAs, and Mission Friends comprise one of two major programs offered for children, Pastor Raymond Edge said.

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