Côte d’Ivoire Children’s Ministry Training
It is not without a reason that Africa is called the “young continent”. According to a UNICEF report, by the year 2050, forty percent of the world’s children will be African. “Children are not only the future of the church, but they are also the church of today. That’s why our responsibility to disciple them in the image of our Saviour Jesus is urgent,” said Rev Celeste Chaguala, the NDI Regional Coordinator.
Understanding the importance of introducing Christ to the little ones, the Africa Region Nazarene Discipleship International – Children’s Ministries, from 19-23 March, held a training on the Africa West Francophone Field in the city of Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, where three countries from this field were represented: Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea Conakry and Senegal. The trainings were done in two separate districts, Cote d’Ivoire South and Central, with a total of 115 participants.
The event aimed to prepare children’s ministry leaders to equip them to better present the Gospel to the little ones, playfully and dynamically. In addition to the practical part of children’s discipleship, the excellent book “Abba” by author Patricia de Zuniga was presented. “Abba” is a children’s Bible teaching material that presents God’s relationship with man through the Lord’s Prayer. By using this book, the hope is to see children on the region develop a deep and intimate relationship with God through prayer.
At the end of the training, the team carried out activities with children from the local churches and the trained teachers/leaders to put into practice everything they had learned. Approximately 200 children were present for these activities.
In addition to the participants, this training was attended by Mrs Celeste Chaguala, Regional NDI Coordinator, Mrs Rozzaria Mumba, Regional Children’s Ministry Facilitator, Mrs Lydie Gomis, Africa West Francophone Field Children’s Ministry Coordinator and Mrs Thaís Sitoe, Lusophone Field NDI Coordinator.
Trainings like this will take place on all the fields on the Africa Region and the printed book will be given so all Nazarene children in Africa so they, too, can believe in our loving God Abba: Our Father.
