International (MNN) — Today’s children are tomorrow’s Church. But while there are many resources in the U.S. to disciple children, that’s not true in other parts of the world.
Denise Godwin with International Media Ministries (IMM) tells us, “(Children are) being bombarded by mixed messages about who they are, what the world is made of, even what is good and what is evil.”
IMM uses media to bring the hope of Christ to Europe, Eurasia, Africa, and the Middle East. They recently surveyed media organizations and churches in those regions, asking what needs they had.
The answer they kept hearing was “discipleship for children.”
Representative photo courtesy of Erika Girard/Unsplash
Godwin says there is a greater need than people in the U.S. may realize for “pieces that either can be incorporated into other shows, or programs for children in-person or in a refugee camp, and give them values and Bible verses and things to build their character.”
IMM has begun a 3D animation project on a three-year creation timeline.
“In the meantime, we realized we have an opportunity in-house to do some smaller pieces in 2D, and start giving extra tools to meet the needs of children in the Middle East, North Africa, and, interestingly, Europe, where the values are really changing,” Godwin says. Those projects should be completed by the end of 2024.
“They’re always going to have that in their heart, that Bible verse they memorized when they were six. They’re going to have a crisis when they’re 26, and it’s going to come back. So we are building the church of tomorrow. We are building faith in the future,” Godwin says.
“It may be 20 years, it may be 25 years. You may not realize how much that pays off. But it’s essential to do that, for the future of the church for the future of faith.”
IMM needs your support in prayer as they prepare to impact the next generation for Jesus, which the enemy does not want to happen. Pray for the 3D project as the team develops the storyline, imagery, and technical skills needed for the process.
“It’s an important time to pray over the younger children, over the media that’s going into their lives, over their education, and different contexts,” Godwin says.
“We need to pray for wisdom for the parents as well, because they’re also bombarded. I think we’re in a pretty intense time in history right now.”
Header photo courtesy of Alexander Dummer/Unsplash.
