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Passionate about Children and Families

by Pr Daron Pratt

 
I often get asked why I do what I do.  Why am I passionate about children and families... why can't I just be a "normal" pastor and do normal ministry to adults?

Let me tell you that I graduated from college wanting to be the next big evangelist.  I graduated wanting to change the world, but God was calling me to look lower in order to reach higher.

As I began in ministry, I became a youth pastor and thoroughly enjoyed working with the youth in the churches I was assigned to but God was calling me to look lower in order to reach higher.

As I got involved in chaplaincy and junior camps, big camps etc I got involved in children's evangelism/ministry and a flame ignited that turned into a passion that was fanned by mentors such as Sue Beaumont and Janet Rieger.  that passion got fanned into a burning desire to reach, teach and minister to children and their families.  By reaching children I am reaching right into the very centre of God's Kingdom.  I looked lower in order to reach higher.

I never knew when I was called into ministry that God was going to shape me into a balloon twisting, chicken loving children's pastor/evangelist but that is what he did that is the calling on my heart.

And so, I minister with Passion and Panache

• I am passionate about children because Jesus is passionate about Children he said to welcome children in His name and in so doing welcome Him.
• I am passionate because they do not have a voice often at Church, Conference, Union, Division or General Conferece level and I want to make sure that their voice is heard in board rooms and at pulpits around the country and the world.
• I am passionate because children are more likely to make their lifelong decision for Christ before their teenage years but often, they are not resourced, equipped and discipled until it is too late.  They have already left in their hearts and act on that in their teenage and young adult years.
• I am passionate because Jesus chose families and churches to be discipleship incubators and reveal His Kingdom to the world.  I want to help make these two God ordained entities the best that they can be.
• I am passionate because a person's moral compass is set by the age of 9!
• I am passionate because the 4-14 (Ages of children) window is one of the most unreached people groups on the planet.
• I am passionate because discipleship begins pre-natal rather than at the magical age of 16, 17, 18.  By then it is too late.
• I am passionate because children need to see a clear picture of Jesus in their homes and churches, and I can be the mentor.... I can be the sermon... I can be a difference of eternal significance.
• I am passionate because children have the same rights to our worship services as what we do.  They have the same rights to the sounds, tastes, touch and smells as the adults do.  In fact, this is one of the places they grow best spiritually... they just need to feel like they belong.
• I am passionate because children still need to get to Jesus unhindered.  I want to see an environment where children are safe from abuse and can see God clearly for who He really is unencumbered. I have seen firsthand what abuse in all its forms does to a child and it is not pretty... It affects their view of themselves, their God, and the Church!  It needs to stop!
• I am passionate because if we get it right with children then we will get it right with teens, youth and adults.
• If we invest young and often the rewards are of eternal significance.
• I am passionate because I want to preach the twisted gospel. to give children a clear picture of Jesus and His Grace.  I want to present a clear picture of the Salvation story and that God never, ever, ever gives up on them... ever!
• I am passionate because that is what God has placed on my heart!

Daron gets off his soap box and continues to advocate for and minister to children with passion and panache!

 
Pr. Daron Pratt is the Children Ministries Direct of the Greater Sydney Conference of Seventh-day Adventists

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