Children's Mission Encounter Handbook

Did you Know?

  • The basic traits of a child's character are formed before age 6.
  • Major interests in life are taking permanent shape by age 12.
  • According to the George Barna Research Group, children between the ages of 5 and 13 have a 32 percent probability of accepting Jesus Christ as their Savior. That likelihood drops to 4 percent for teenagers between the ages of 14 and 18.
  • Children are most likely to hear God's call to full-time Christian ministry (missionaries, ministers, etc.) between the ages of 4-14. (Christianity Today) Missiologists refer to this period of time as the "4/14 Window".

Why involve kids in missions?

  • Children are sensitive to God. They can begin learning about God's heart for missions at an early age.
  • Children easily understand the concept of compassion.
  • We must sow the seeds of mission interest at an early age if we expect to reap missionary recruits and strong mission supporters in the years ahead.