1. APLA Presentation
• In partial fulfilment of the Pathfinder Instructor Award
Youth Leadership Program
Module IV - Develop, Submit for Approval Presentation
Materials to Conference Pathfinder Director on
New Skills Development for Master-Guides
Brian Tsikada (PLA)
2. Child Evangelism
Definition & scope
• Youth & Child Evangelism = the effectual participation or
involvement of youth and children as influential agents in
evangelism (execution of the gospel commission)
• Age group in context of MG ministry = 6-15yrs of age
Principles of Youth & Child Evangelism : “A message to tell
to the World”
3. Purpose of Youth & Child
Evangelism
• For MGs the setting of evangelistic efforts is within the AJY
clubs & not so much in CHM.
• Purpose of clubs can be summarised in AY Ministries Mission :
• “To lead young people into a saving relationship with Jesus
Christ and help them embrace His call to discipleship.”
• Therefore AY clubs are not mere recreational, educational or
training centres but vehicles to implement an evangelistic
agenda
4. • “to lead young people into a saving relationship with Jesus Christ and to
embrace His call to discipleship”
• To lead:-
to go before, to guide, to show the way, to encourage/motivate/ invite
another to follow
• True leadership does not force the will or drive – it is to positively
influence others to volunteer their talents to participate in, to share & to
enhence the leader’s vision
• Saving relationship :-
a personal and conscious daily connection with Jesus Christ that
empowers the youth to demonstrate His saving grace & power in their
lives.
5. • Salvation from snares of Satan that seek to enslave the youth:
• Bad habits,
• Unprofitable associations,
• Alluring temptations - experiments with drugs, sex, and
alcohol
• Slave to fashion, entertainment and love of display
His call to discipleship:-
• Personal commitment to accept Jesus’ call to ministry – to be
His witness. Acts 1:8.
• Discipleship does not destroy the joy of youth on the contrary
it gives meaning and fullness to the purpose of life. I John
10:10
6. Club Evangelism
Two fold initiatives
Club members Non-club members
Children Parents Children Parents
7. Fundamental Principles for
Effective AJY Club Evangelism
1. Order & organization
- Club leadership : Establishment of roles & responsibilities
- Internal alignment in place with clear terms of reference.
- Does your club have a structure?-
- An executive committee?
- A chaplain?
- Unit Counsellors?
- A parent representative on Exec com. Or Staff com?
- Do you have a full year program in place including key
ceremonies & events?
8. 2. Club Purpose should be in sharp focus
• “ The Adventurer Club exists for the purpose of supporting parents
in the task of raising children for Jesus Christ.” AAdmin p32
• “ Article II Purpose
The objectives of the Pathfinder Club are:
1. To work towards the personal commitment of every Pathfinder
to the Lord.
2. To provide an attractive church-centered achievement program.
3. To interest parents and senior youth in participating in the
organized church activities for youth.
4. To encourage Pathfinders to discover their own God-given
potential in service to others.
9. - 5. To foster the harmonious development of the physical, social,
intellectual and spiritual life of the Pathfinder.
- 6. To give opportunity for the development of leadership abilities.
- 7. To provide through the study of nature an appreciation of God's
love.” Padmin p30.
• 3. Commitment to an evangelistic agenda
- Club Directors & Counsellors should be mature, baptized &
converted adults.
- Integrate aspects of programming with Children Ministries
- Soul winning should be purposeful & should be the objective of
each program.
- The evangelistic initiatives should be sustainable (logistically,
economically, materially, spiritually)
10. • “The Counselor is the leader of a unit of Adventurers. Counselors hold a key
position in the Adventurer Club, for they have the closest contact with the
Adventurers and their families and homes”. A.M.pg 20
• “The counselor knows the parents and home conditions of each unit member
and talks to unit members about social, emotional, and spiritual problems”
ibid pg 20.
• Counselors are selected from baptized members of the Seventh-day Adventist
Church where the club is organized. They must be converted and dedicated
Christians. Ibid 20
• Therefore MG are to have 1. baptism certificate 2. recommendation from
local church to train as MG! This is to safeguard the tender and
impressionable minds of children from unconsecrated leaders
4.PersonalcommitmentbyCounselors
11. Club Member Evangelism
• Fact: Most youth make first & important personal decisions on their
salvation between ages 9-16. (Builder- Guide).
• The Work of the MG Counsellor:
1. To be Jesus’ agent to assist in helping the club members to make
this choice intelligently
2. To work closely with the parents to encourage them to support the
child in making that personal choice.
3. After the decision is made, the Counsellor is continue the work of
nurturing
12. The Role of the Club Parent
• The Parent who is a converted Christian
“Parents are to be recognized as the key "Relational Ministers," those who more
than anyone else can create the sense of trust, love, and concern that is
foundational to the development of "openness" to faith. Parents must be seen as
the "primary evangelizers" of their children. No single factor influences the faith
development of children more than does the witness and faith life of parents.
Those involved in Adventurer leadership must help parents to fulfill this vital
role”. Ibid 12.
One of the goals of Adv. Curriculum:
4. “ Parents and other primary caregivers will become more confident and
effective in their role as colaborers with Christ for their children.” pg 8.
• The unconverted Parent
“Counsellors should visit the home of each Adventurer in his or her unit….,
introducing himself or herself as [child's name]counselor.” ibid 25.
- Pre-requisite of all Adventurer Clubs: The director and associate directors appoint a
mother and father to the Executive Committee to represent all parents of registered
Adventurers
13. Non Club Member Evangelism
• Non-club member : children
“It is the policy of the Seventh-day Adventist Church to admit children
to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities made available by
the church, regardless of race, gender, handicap, or religion.” ibid p5.
• Non-club member: parents & community
“Once an Adventurer Club is established, appeal to church and
community families that have not previously been interested. The
director should make friends with every Adventurer family. Help each
non-Seventh-day Adventist Adventurer family to become acquainted
with the pastor. These families can then be invited to hear what the
church has to offer them. The Adventurer Club should be evangelistic”
Ibid pg 25.
14. Evangelistic Model* for AJY Clubs
• Club Members
spiritual leadership contact points – key
drivers : Club or unit spiritual leadership
& environmental influence)
- Spiritual nurturing by Counsellors
- Spiritual Influence by Club chaplain
- Parental influence
- Pastorial Influence
- Club events, activities, & curriculum
- Awards
- Honours
• Non-club members
spiritual leadership contact points – key
drivers: Impressions, Events &
Programs, Activities)-
• Guest Night
• Enrolment night
• Uniformed Parade & Drill
• Camping
• Field trips
• Community Service Projects
• Vacation Bible School
• Direct contact by other children to
other children or adults
-
Specific evangelistic methodologies & concepts are covered in “How to Lead a Child To Jesus”
Seminar
15. How to Lead a Child to Jesus Christ*
• Scope of Seminar : Specific evangelistic strategies, methodologies &
concepts in the context of the Adventurer & Pathfinder Clubs
• Recap on leadership: Leadership is influence: to positively influence
others to volunteer their talents to participate in, to share & to enhence
the leader’s vision.
• “It touches the heart first & then others will put their hand in the
leader’s hand & follow”.
• The leader should have a VISION first! This is the work of Club
Directors, Club Chaplain & Unit Counsellors
* Material adapted from Leading a Children to Jesus Course – Certification Level 2. General Conference Children’s Ministries
16. Winning Individual or Unit Club
Members
• Key component of Adventurer & Pathfinder work is to win
their souls to Christ.
• Best done on a one-on-one basis or at most at Unit level.
• Key spiritual influencers : Parents, Pastor, Club Director, Club
Chaplain, Unit Counsellor
• “Children of eight, ten or twelve years are old enough to be
addressed on the subject of personal religion. Do not teach
your children with reference to some future period when they
shall be old enough to repent and believe the truth. If properly
instructed, very young children may have correct views of
their state as sinners, and of the way of salvation through
Christ.” 1 T400.
•
17. 4 Key Thoughts in talking about
Faith with Club Members
1. Don’t defer to someone more qualified or experienced to explain
salvation when a child asks.
2. Don’t give kids a heavy load of theology.
3. Describe your own faith journey of how you become a Christian.
4. Appropriate Communication : Prepare to say the right words when
-ever the right opportunity arrives.
18. • Key Dynamics of Communication with Kids for Counsellors
• Dynamic 1: Children Understand Concrete Terms And
Language Better Than They Understand Abstract Terms And
Language.
• Some Confusion-causers?
• • “Ask Jesus into your heart.” They wonder how Jesus can
physically fit into such a small space.
• Use: “Start a personal relationship with Jesus today.”
• • “Pay the price for your sins.” A young boy once said he
would try to save his pocket money to cover the payment
himself?
19. • Key Dynamics of Communication with Kids for Counsellors
• Dynamic 2: Children Are At Different Developmental Levels.
• Key Dynamics of Communication with Kids for Counsellors
• Dynamic 3: Children Are Most Receptive to Stories and Terms
They Can Relate to or Picture.
• Key Dynamics of Communication with Kids for Counsellors
• Dynamic 4: Children May Focus On, or be Distracted, by a
Single Detail in a Story.
20. • Child-Friendly Terms
• 1. Sin Things we do wrong, naughty stuff, when we disobey,
make bad choices
• 2. Punishment Get in trouble, time-out, spanking, be
disciplined
• 3. Crucified Died on a cross because that person was in so
much trouble, hurt bad and killed
• 4. Saviour: Forever friend, helper, agrees to be in trouble
instead of you, took your place
• 5. Resurrection Alive again, came back from being dead, didn’t
stay dead
21. Keys to Spiritual Influence for the
Unit Counsellor/Club Chaplain
Leading a child into a relationship with Christ requires :
• That you have a relationship with Christ first.
• You can only give away that which you have.
• A relationship with Jesus is more than knowing the Bible, going
to church, teaching children’s class, or being baptized. Your life
needs to change.
22. Specific Strategies, Methodologies
& Concepts for Community Club
Evangelism
• ….. “it is important to remember that witnessing should be a
part of the Pathfinder lifestyle--not just a program! Witnessing
is a way of life! "Take the time to spread the Word.“ Pthf
Admin Manual 118
23. 1. Guest Nights
• Held +/- 2-3 weeks before enrolment night.
• Each potential Adventurer may invite a special community friend to
this "guest night“ meeting.
• The director and other officers should become acquainted with
each child.
• “During the conversation, the director or deputies should ask,
"Would you like to join our Adventurer club?“ If the answer is Yes,
plan visits the homes the very next week and explain the complete
program, showing a willingness to work with the family about their
Sunday or Sabbath feelings.
24. • 2. Implement a home visitation program.
Counselors should visit the home of each Adventurer in his or
her unit immediately, introducing himself or herself as [child's
name] counselor.
• “Each home represented in the unit is contacted by the
counselor a minimum of once per Adventurer quarter.”
AdAdmin 12.
• = excellent time to reach out to community parents
25. 3. Community Projects for Other Children
- Making or repairing toys for hospitals
- Story Hour in Children’s homes
- Literature/Book rack for children in instutitions
- Vacation Bible School (invite other kids in uniform) – follow up
immediately by Counsellors after graduation.
• Hospital Outreach
- Flower gifts to the sick (Pathfinder visit in uniform)
- Personally designed “Get Well Soon” cards
- Magazine, books
- Volunteer cleaning of hospital environment
26. 4. Parades and Marches
- Temperance march against drugs, alcohol, smoking etc.
- Healthful living march
5. Other
- Branch Sabbath Schools with/by Pathfinders.
- City Parades & literature distribution
- Fairs & Camporees
27. The Adventurerfor Christ Project
2. Choose three from the following:
• a. Send five homemade cards with personal messages, poems,
or Bible verses to people who are in need of encouragement.
• b. Visit ten or more people and invite them to a special church
or Pathfinder event
3. c. Get the whole family involved in a witnessing project, such
as giving Bible studies, passing out Steps to Christ to motels,
adopting a needy family, doing a work project for an elderly
person.
28. Junior Witness for Christ Project
• 3. Enroll at least two people in Bible correspondence courses.
• 6. Make at least 50 one-to-one contacts using Share Your Faith
literature, Ingathering solicitation, etc.
• See also Literature Evangelism & Personal Evangelism Honors
29. Assignment
• By end of next Quarter (Jan - March), plan & execute one
Community or Evangelistic Outreach program with your unit
or club.
• POE : 1. Complete Community Outreach Report as part of
fulfilment of requirement : II -5.
• Remember to hold a staff meeting in the planning process
• Keep the minutes as part of Staff Meeting requirement
• Check where this project will also meet the objectives of your
AJY class curriculum
