USA (MNN) — According to the United Nations, there are 1.2 billion children at risk throughout the world. Some children are living on the streets of major cities. Some are hungry because they have no food. Others are forced into child labor. Others are orphaned by HIV/AIDS, drug use, violent crime or natural disasters.
Pioneers, a church planting ministry, wants to encourage national churches to do something to help. But they can't do it alone. That's why their children-at-risk advocate Tami Snowden developed a program called Red Card.
"The Red Card program," says Snowden, "is a curriculum — it is a class — designed for families to take together. Number one, it is to raise awareness of what's happening. Two, to mobilize a prayer effort, and three, to provide actual steps that can make a difference."
Snowden says many Christians want to help but are overwhelmed by the statistics. That why this program was developed: "to help members of the church not be so overwhelmed and be able to make a difference in the lives of children at risk."
According to Snowden, "They hear stories. They're touched. They want to help, but they feel like they are one person, and what can one person do for 1.2 billion children at risk?"
Red Card is an eight-week, Scripture-based interactive program featuring video, hand- on activities, and a journal to help your family document your journey through the program. The program deals with poverty, orphans, street children, child labor, children of war, and other issues that are family friendly. It doesn't deal with the sex trade problem.
Pioneers has church planting teams all over the world who are working in areas where there are large numbers of children at risk. Snowden says as families understand the issues, they can have a direct impact on evangelism. "We desire that the family hook up with the mission agency, or missionary on the ground, working with orphan children, working with street children, and they are bring the Gospel of Christ to these children."
While the program is developed by Pioneers, Snowden says they're promoting other ministries, too. "What Red Card is set up to do is to be pretty neutral. We are not here to promote Pioneers agenda, necessarily. We have some Pioneers opportunities in here, but we have set this up to be a network for quality organizations."
If you'd like to be a part of the Red Card program, go to http://www.RedCardKids.org.
