The Perception of Missions amongst 12 yeas olds at Nairobi Chapel and its Implications for ministry

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to find out the perception of missions amongst l Z-year-olds at Nairobi Chapel. The findings have been used to draw implications for ministry with children at Nairobi Chapel in relation to teaching children missions. The researcher has reviewed relevant substantive and methodological literature showing that children can and should be taught about missions in order to give them the chance to make decisions concerning life-long commitment to the same. The significance of this study in terms of contributing to ministry practitioners and curriculum developers at Nairobi Chapel and a church with similar children ministry programs has been drawn from the findings of the study. Three research questions were used. Firstly, what is the understanding of missions amongst 12- year-olds at Nairobi Chapel? Secondly, what is their understanding of the scope of missions? Thirdly, in what ways are they involved in missions? To the first research question, the study revealed that the children are able to define missions and missionaries, even giving the biblical verses to support missions. They understand the fact that missions have to do with travelling to near and distant places to tell others about Jesus Christ. They also understand the facts about Jesus Christ, his person and work, and the need to respond to him in faith. To the second research question, the study revealed that the children are familiar with local, foreign missions, and the challenges thereof. They understand that God expects them to serve as missionaries to their schools and neighborhoods. The third research question revealed the area of missions perception that the children are missing. This is the practical aspect of missions. While they are able to describe activities that they could engage in and abilities that they could use in missions, the children affirm their lack of practical experience of missions. The implications for ministry are drawn mainly from the findings on the third research question. The researcher suggests that the children's ministry directors at Nairobi Chapel need to plan for theoretical as well as practical aspects of missions education. The researcher also noted that the teachers who work with the children have done a commendable job in teaching them the facts about missions, the scriptural mandate for missions, and the subject of missions, Jesus Christ. However, they need to also be involved in missions activities, because children learn from the written as well as the hidden curriculum. They learn from what is modeled before them as well as, or more than what is verbally communicated to them. The researcher concludes that the 12-year-olds at Nairobi Chapel have a clear perception of missions in terms of its definition and scope, but they need practical exposure and experience if they are to have a full understanding on which they can gauge their decisions for future careers in missions.