CBM

childrens bible ministries

New Zealand

SUmmer 2019 volumn 53 issue 2

Thoughts from Mike...
Last month I came across a survey called “2019 State of Children’s Ministry “ by Tony Kummer, Founder of
Ministry-To-Children.com. Tony and his team took a closer look at when and how kids come to Christ.
Looking into all the old research, talking to ministry leaders, and polling their readers for fresh insights.
They surveyed over 400 children’s ministry leaders and analysed every available study on kids coming
to Christ.
Let me share with you a couple of key findings: Childhood conversion is the “normal” way people come
to Christ. No matter who does the survey, one fact is overwhelming. Once a person reaches adulthood, accepting Christ becomes
increasingly rare. Evangelism is most effective in the childhood and teenage years.

66% of Christians came to faith before the age of 18. 43% came to Christ before age 12.
Less than 25% of current believers came to Christ after the age 21.

This type of data has been confirmed time and again. Researchers describe childhood as a life stage when people are most
open to the gospel. This has led to a missiological focus on children aged 4 to 14: to win a people group to Christ, begin with
the children. This focus is now known as the 4-14 Window, an opportunity for the church where the harvest is plentiful.
Missiologists often speak of the need for the church to reach the 10–40 window, but

Then Jesus called for the children

The church NEEDS to be mindful of the 4–14 window. and said to the disciples,
“Let the children come to me.
If the church wants to be missional with families, it must be missional with the kids. Don’t stop them! ”
Let’s be intentional and missional with those closest to us—the ones already within the For the Kingdom of God belongs to
church walls. Let’s not assume! those who are like these children.
Another important conclusion that was highlighted was “young people often come to Jesus
thanks to a loving mother or father.” Every parent has the God-given privilege of teaching
children how to live.
As parents, we are uniquely positioned to spiritually shepherd a child. The best
way to impact a child’s eternity is to empower their parents. This is God’s design and
is made clear in nearly every Bible passage about children.
Please pray with CBM as we continue to encourage the Church and their families to reach
these precious lives, through our children’s camps, through our training of leaders, through
Luke 18:16 (NLT)
our development of life changing resources.
Be blessed by this edition of CBM Happenings. Mike Buckley, Director
 CBM Our training team has been busy encouraging children’s ministry leaders
through different parts of the
TRAINING country.
In Auckland the Master Storytelling
seminar was very well received.
Here’s what one person had to say..

“We should have continuous

training of this kind.”

We had a big group from the Auckland Myanmar churches

receive their certificates for completing the four basic training days
over the year. What a wonderful commitment these teachers have
made to help them be effective in their teaching.

Todd, Donna and Ian gave three days training at YWAM Family
Ministries teaching how to run an outreach programme.
While in Matamata they also did some training for Matamata
Baptist Sunday School teachers. Ian went on to teach at East West
College in Gordonton, focusing on how to communicate the
gospel to children.

A few other highlights from the calendar:

* We presented training at a Chinese Methodist church and nearly 100% of their Sunday School
teachers were in attendance!
*Donna Funk presented “Special to God” at a large Auckland church where over 100 church workers learnt
about ministering to children with behavioural challenges and special needs.
* Ian Fletcher presented at the national “One Million Children” conference in Wellington where he gave ideas
and encouragement to those in children’s ministry.

Mark the dates for 2020 training now and make an effort
to upskill yourself, your team and your children’s ministry.
If you can get a group of your teachers together to attend our basic training days, it will make a difference to
your team. Plus, you also get a discount if 5 or more from one church attend. What a fantastic investment to
make into your children’s ministry!
29 Feb 2020 First Things First
20 June 2020 “How-to” Day
25 July 2020 Tool Time
12 September 2020 Master Storytelling
As well as these basic training days, we have two specialized trainings:
Special to God 4 April 2020 Ministry to Young Children 9 May 2020
We look at practical ways A practical day for parents,
to minister to the needs grandparents, teachers and
of kids with learning and anyone working with young
behavioural challenges. children.

Check out www.cbm.org.nz for details of each training day

 What’s
Happening
in the
World
...go into all the world...

INDIA MINISTRY
Travelling to this remote North Eastern State was a challenge!
The roads were in dire need of repair! The four day training
course was attended by 80 people from the fastest growing
denomination in Asia, including 40 Bible College students.
Most of what we shared was completely new to them, yet they
purchased and made up 30 sets of curriculum!

Rodney Devdas and David Tamang were a big help in translation and singing.
The Christian Education Director of the denomination has applied for a visa to train with us in
New Zealand. Please pray that it will be issued in time.
Then, following a fruitful India team retreat, we conducted two days of training in Mumbai.
52 switched on teachers enjoyed the teaching and the challenges it brought.
By the time you receive this newsletter the team will have also spent a week in Myanmar.

Papua New Guinea

There were 110 present from every province of the country, many brightly dressed in colours of their own province. As a keynote speaker
in a national convention, it is not always easy to know exactly what to speak on, but Hugh sensed a liberty and anointing as he shared, and
believed the messages hit the mark in many. Some of the practical issues in children’s ministry were obviously ones most of the delegates
had not considered before.
Of his 30kg weight allowance, 23kg were books he took to sell.
He was immediately inundated with those who wanted to purchase
Games books and booklets on Christian Parenting and Christian
Marriage, and soon ran out of supplies.

It was interesting hearing the lovely slow singing that is part of

their culture. However, Hugh was not up for the dawn prayer
meetings! Overall, the time was very worthwhile and Hugh had
requests to return in the future. He was even given an offering,
which helped in covering the internal Port Moresby to Goroka
return flight.
Our October holidays were packed! We are so grateful that Calvary Chapel Bible College students
joined our team in the 1st week of the holidays. The YWAM Mangere team joined us in the 2nd week
of the holidays. What a blessing these young men and women were to the leadership team with the
other regular leaders.

Thank you to all our leaders and Junior leaders

who give a week of their time to come and
love and encourage these amazing children
to whom we minister. We saw a beautiful
openness in the children resulting in 50
children receiving the Lord and many coming
out for help over specific challenges they are
facing right now.

Here is some feedback from a young child we received last week:

“Thank you for letting me come to camp. I really
enjoyed myself! The thing I ejoyed most is learning
to pray to Jesus. “ -A CAMPER

With thanks from A parent:
Hello to all of you amazing Uncles and Aunties,
I just cannot believe what an amazing time my two children had while with you all over the last week.
It was the first time my children had been away from us this long and also not been able to contact
us. I think I was worrying myself for nothing. The amazing things they did, what they learnt, AND
the delicious food. What an amazing experience. I really, really want to thank you all. Thank you for
looking after my babies, thank you for teaching them your values. Even today they are still talking
about you all. Thanks from the bottom of our hearts.
 staff happenings
We farewelled Nick Flood, a volunteer who has served with
us faithfully over the years. Nick is retiring to be closer
to his family in the Bay of Plenty. We’d like to say
a HUGE “Thank you Nick!” for all the many ways
you have shown love to the children and staff behind
the scenes. Thank you for baking of all those amazing
birthday cakes. You have been a blessing to us all!

from Germany to raglan

We’d like to welcome our newest volunteer support staff: Alex Zippan and Frank Steinchen from Germany. They
arrived in August and will be serving and helping at the camps for the next 12 months. The guys have fitted in
seamlessly with the Camp Raglan team. We are super blessed to have them onboard.

New Zealand’s Christian Heritage

We mentioned in our last newsletter that plans were underway to
publish a series of 7 lessons, showing our Christian history, with a Maori
perspective. Hugh Dickey has been hard at work and has completed six
lessons,and the last is underway. The degree of background research and
checking with Christian Maori has taken quite some time.
Please pray with us for the provision of a good artist, and for funding sources
for the needed artwork. Our aim is to publish towards the end of 1st Term 2020.

Philippines
Kathryn Hatton has now landed in the Philippines with the view of taking
on the National Director’s role.
Both her business and missional experience, will be such a blessing to
the team. Dianne Bayley will retire after 44 years of incredible service in
February 2020.
Thank you to all who so generously responded in supporting Kathryn.
We are still believing for a few more sponsors for her monthly support.

Hours: Mon-Fri 9.00 am - 5.00pm

9 Walters Road, Mt Eden, Auckland (09) 630-5271
www.cbm.org.nz www.shop.cbm.org.nz Email: info@cbm.org.nz
 CBM B O O KS H O P
“ S o m e t h i n g fo r t h e e n t i r e f a m i l y”
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knowing God Ages 3-6
is a two-year, fully visualised curriculum with everything you’ll need for
teaching and discipling your precious young children. Each of the 6 packs
contains 14 lessons with separate texts written for 3-4 and 5-6 year olds,
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LIFEchangers Ages 7-12

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Ages 10-12 Dig in Discipleship

A series of Bible study books great for small groups or individual
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activities. A great value at only $6.ea 7 titles available.

W e a l s o s t o c k g r e at r a n g e s
of child ren's Bibles
All in-stock
children's novels

selected DVD's and CD's

$38 $25 $50
$45 GET IN QUICK! limited stock available
Check it all out at www.shop.cbm.org.nz

PRAYER & PRAISE

Praise God for:
Open hearts during training in New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and India.
All the finances given for our training in India and Myanmar.
Please pray with us for:
2020 training course fees for Joseph and Everlyn from Kenya.
Artist and funding for the ‘New Zealand’s Christian Heritage” lesson series.
CBM
childrens bible ministries

New Zealand
I would like to support
Children’s Bible Ministries
I am enclosing $_____ for NZ Staff Support
Reference NZ A/C 03 0175 0013647 00

I would like to support the work of CBM in NZ with a weekly monthly

automatic payment of __$25 __$50__$100____other
Reference {YOUR NAME} A/C 03 0175 0013647 00

Summer
Special Appeal
I am enclosing $_______ towards the course fees for
Everlyn (pictured) and Joseph from Kenya as they attend the
16 week training in January 2020.

For automaic payents use A/C 03-0175-0013647-00 Reference JE

Childr en’s Bible Ministries

PO Box 8774, Symonds St, Auckland 1150
Phone: (09) 630 5271
Email: info@cbm.org.nz Website: www.cbm.org.nz