Summer 2019 Update
Wow! Debbie and I “officially” began this missionary journey a year ago, and so many of you have been faithful supporters since this vision was birthed in our spirits. Thank you! In so many ways, we are still “just getting started” as there is an unbelievable amount of work that has to be done in order to begin this process but we are ploughing forward. We are so grateful for all the ministry opportunities and open doors that God has provided. We feel so blessed!
I have already put about 9,000 miles on my car since January, and what I see breaks my heart. Our passion is inner city and rural America, and so I have driven long miles of rural Illinois roads and met with Pastors and leaders who are hurting, discouraged and desperate to make a difference in their communities. We are also very involved with several Pastors in Chicago, and engaging with some of the roughest areas of the City. The most heartbreaking of what we are discovering is that we are losing a generation. We have met and talked with children who do not know who Jesus is. No knowledge. There are churches on every corner surrounded by neighborhoods of children and adults who are spiritually illiterate, yet very few of these churches, due to lack of resources, volunteers and know how, are actively invading our greatest mission field with the gospel.
News reports continually broadcast evidence that proves we are losing a generation. We are seeing Judges 2:10 unfold before our eyes: “When all that generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation arose after them who did not know the Lord nor the work which He had done for Israel”.
As most of you know, According to the Barna Research Group, the 5/13 window is the age group most prone to accept and act upon the salvation message. The research indicates that unless a person accepts Christ as Savior before the age of 14, the likelihood of ever doing so is slim. The future of the church and our nation hinges on aggressiveness in reaching children with the gospel.
Nearly 80% of people in our churches today decided to follow Jesus before age 18. 50% of them decided to follow Jesus before age 12. This should not surprise us. Jesus knew! He said, “Let the little children come”. There is a season in a person’s life when they are most open to learning what it means to trust God. That season is childhood. They are so trusting and impressionable. What is rooted in the heart of a child is almost impossible to uproot in the life of an adult. We have to do something. We have to do more!
So, that is our mission – to engage as many churches as we can to help them engage the children in their backyards. That is what we are doing, and we are busy. It is exciting to mentor and coach Pastors, Children’s Pastors, and church leadership in all things children’s ministry. It is exciting to develop ministry teams and coach individuals who will love on and pastor the children in their communities – Leaders who can help empower children to bring revival to schools and neighborhoods. It is exciting to have opportunities to minister to children who have never heard His story. It is exciting to introduce children to Jesus in neighborhoods where they would normally probably never go to church. It is exciting to go to them – where they are – and to show them the love of Jesus.
We are blessed to serve His kids. Thank you for your prayers and financial support. We love you, and pray for you!
For His Children,
Aldin & Debbie
Open your eyes to what I am saying…We will not hide these truths from our children…We will tell the next generation…So the next generation might know. Psalm 78:2-6
Please follow us on facebook and instagram to keep up with our ministry.
Giving to Engage Kids
We are so grateful for the monthly support and one time gifts of our supporters. Your gifts enable us to reach out to churches where resources are so limited, and allows us to help them reach out to the children in their communities. Because of several large donations, we have been blessed with a new laptop, sound system, wireless microphone, supplies and promotional materials for our ministry. Please pray with us for God to send more monthly supporters to partner with us as it is the monthly giving that sustains us.
Click GIVE NOW if you would like to support our ministry!
Summer Ministry
I just returned from speaking at the Northern Illinois Section Pow Wow and Directed the Illinois District 1-2 Kid’s Camp. We had non-stop fun, and wonderful services. It is always an incredible experience to see children committing their lives to Christ and lost in their worship to Him. Never gets old, and so thankful for the opportunity to be part of their journey!
VBS – I have been meeting with a team of Pastors, Children’s Pastors and Volunteers that will be doing Vacation Bible Schools in several urban churches in South Chicago this summer. I am excited to be assisting 2 of the churches with their VBS. Praying for a harvest of children!
Outreaches – Chicago City Life Center in the Englewood neighborhood in Chicago will be doing outreaches throughout the summer in their community and schools. I will be partnering with them as they shine the light of Christ in this neighborhood that is in desperate need of the hope that only Jesus can provide. I am excited to be with them as we pop up the bounce house and other fun activities and watch the children come to us. I will also be assisting them with their VBS this summer. So many great opportunities!
Children’s Ministry Training – In August, I will be leading children’s ministry training at Strafford Christian Center in Southside Chicago. This training is for anyone interested in reaching the children in our urban communities. There is a group of churches that are sending teams for this training as we are coming together to make a difference in these neighborhoods. If interested, please contact me for more details.
At the end of the summer, I am scheduled to do a training for Children’s Pastors at Living Waters Community Church. This session will be for practical ministry “how to’s”. Object lessons, illusions, Illustrated sermons, etc.
Coaching/Mentoring – My weeks are busy with one on one sessions with individuals who are new to Children’s Ministry or just need practical helps in their ministry. I am beginning to mentor 4 new children’s pastors that represent rural, urban, inner city and suburban Chicago. I am excited to help provide them with the encouragement, recruiting tips, tools and resources they need to see a fruitful children’s ministry. The only way we are going to reach America’s kids is if we grow a team of individuals who are passionate about God and His children. One person cannot harvest an abundant crop alone. It takes a team.