George Barna of the Barna Research Group concerning children's ministry
"The greatest evangelical window currently available is among young children."
George Barna
There is a book by George Barna, called Transforming Children Into Spiritual Champions; which has been making the rounds in many churches and Sunday Schools subtitled, Why Children Should Be Your Church’s # 1 Priority. The book’s author, encourages parents and church leaders to raise the profile of children in our churches. His research shows that about 41 percent of those at church on any given weekend are under the age of 18, yet less than 15 percent of church budgets go to youth and children's ministries.
According to Barna Research Group, one of the most effective uses of evangelism is targeting children's ministry. Their research has shown that the highest probability of a person accepting Jesus Christ as their savior for a lifetime relationship occurs before the age of 13. Research conducted by the Barna Research Group in 2001 revealed that 32% of adults accepted Jesus Christ as their savior between the ages of 5 and 13 years old while only 4% between ages 14 and 18 and 6% for people 19 years and older.
George Barna of the Barna Research Group states, "The research is very clear: if Jesus is not already part of their lives by the time they leave junior high school, the chances of them accepting Him as their Lord and savior is very slim (6%, to be exact). With children, it is just the opposite. Because of the challenges and insecurities they face in life, they are very open to being a part of a community of like-minded people who grow together. Children have a tremendous influence within their families and on the choices they make in all areas of life...The greatest evangelical window currently available is among young children."
Jerry and Bonnie's program is a fast paced contemporary style geared to modern visual children 4-12 years old.
We believe that telling children the good news about the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is biblical. It is both our responsibility and privilege.
God commands us to preach the Gospel to all people in the world, and that includes children.
See more at "The Gospel for Children"
Nearly 85 of people who make a decision for Christ do so between the ages of 4 and 14. Our greatest opportunity to lead a person to Jesus happens during the elementary years. And for many children they begin a relationship with Jesus Christ during Vacation Bible School. Which means, next to Sunday school, Vacation Bible School is one the most powerful tools the Church has to impact the life of a person for all of eternity. That’s why we believe the best Vacation Bible School presents Jesus every day.
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The book’s author, encourages parents and church leaders to raise the profile of children in our churches.