Kidsreach Communique - 9 March 2009

Welcome to the Kidsreach email Communique sent to you by David Goodwin and the team at Kidsreach

In this edition you will find an excellent resource every kid's pastor should have and an incredible story of life change form SCKC. We also give you an update on what Kidsreach is doing to help the children affected by the Victoria Bush Fires

A REAL LIFE KIDS MINISTRY STORY

Southern Cross Kids Camps are amazing camps for children who have experienced a great deal of unhappiness. Anita who runs a SCKC in Dunedin (NZ) wrote this about her January camp.

An eleven year old camper who had been to both the 2008 and 2009 camps was one of my many highlights. In the 2008 camp I could clearly see he was at cross roads, he was full of potential and yet he could choose one way which would have been great or the other which would have been quite destructive.  When he hoped off the bus this year you could see he had made a choice.  He was wearing Mongrel Mob colours, and a hoodie and hat on, and walking like a gangster.  I quickly pulled him aside, and said there are no gang affiliations here we are all here to have as much fun as we can!  He took off the colours and within a couple of days, the transformation was huge, he was laughing and giggling, and looked like any other kid.  He has started coming to Church, and I really hope and pray that one day, that he will really have a heart after the Lord, and will be a leader for God, and maybe even when he's old enough he will be a camp buddy!

If you have a heart to help children like this boy, could give a week of your time to do so, and would like to learn more about helping in a SCKC, please contact Carolyn Boyd to find out where you nearest camp is ccmozcarolyn@primusonline.com.au

Children's Ministry Resources on CD 2009 Edition
by David Goodwin

Thousands of resources for children's workers and pastors on one CD

The 2009 Edition of the Children's Ministry Resources on CD contains even more resources and books that will help you in your ministry to children. Each category is set out like a book in chapters. They are:

There are a few new games (adapted from shareware) you can use on the big screen for your kids ministry, including an egg timer for your games and Simon Says. Both great fun to use.

To open this resource you will need a PC or a MAC. The files are in two formats: Microsoft Word and PDF files so everyone will be able to access these files.

Cost: $25.00 plus postage.

To order, just reply to this email or go to the website for more exciting resources.

Sri Lanka Update

David will be in Sri Lanka 16-25 March. The purpose of the trip is:

1. 5 Day Course on Pastoral Care of Children
2. Strategic meeting for 70 church leaders on Children's Ministry
3. Team building and planning with Kidsreach team.

Please pray for safety in these precarious times. We also desperately need $2500 for this trip. If you would like to make a donation, please reply to this email. Australia and NZ residents can make a tax deductible donation.

If you are interested in being part of the 2009 missions team travelling to Sri Lanka and Nepal , please register your interest by replying to this email. The trip will take place 15 -29 August Sri Lanka, 29 August to 6 September in Nepal .

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Victoria Fires Update

Last Sunday I held a training meeting for chaplains, teachers, pastors and kids workers who are working right in amongst the kids affected by the fires. Each one had incredible stories to tell. One pastor told me he was talking to one boy who lost seven of his mates.

It was great to be able to present them with the interactive booklet we printed especially for the children affected by these fires. The book is designed to help children through the crisis time and start their grieving process.

We have had three sponsors and donors to help produce this resource but still need $1500 more. It is also possible that we need more books printed in the near future. They are going to school chaplains and others who are working with the worst affected children.

If you can help, please let us know.

If you are in the affected areas, and haven't been in touch with us yet and need some help, please also contact us.

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Quotable Quote

This week's quote comes from a book written by Glenn Cupit (2005): Children and Spirituality. (Published by Scripture Union Australia ).

People bring a group of children for Jesus to place his hands on them and pray. Jesus neither teaches the children nor demands anything of them. He ‘laid his hands on them' but then he 'went on his way'. Why? Jesus clearly shares the belief that his presence and touch convey spiritual benefit. Children have a place in the kingdom of God . You cannot keep them out of it by saying they are not yet old enough, because they don't understand properly, or whatever other excuse could be given. No child is too young for the kingdom.

About Kidsreach

Kidsreach Mission Statement is to: Resource, train and encourage those who minister to and counsel children. 

Kidsreach has a large number of resources and training opportunities available to those who minister to children  including  one day and five day seminars scattered throughout New Zealand during the year. Through partnerships with Tabor College (Syndey) and Laidlaw College (Auckland) we offer accredited courses in Children's Ministry. 

There are offices in NZ, Australia, and Sri Lanka.  We have a working relationship with similar organisations in Ethiopia, PNG and Indonesia.  For more information, visit the websites: Aus: www.kidsreach.org.au NZ:  www.kidsreach.org.nz

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New Zealand
Kidsreach Charitable Trust
PO Box 305, Waikanae, NZ
P: 04 904 1217, F: 09 904 1217
W: http://www.kidsreach.org.nz/
E: david.kidsreach@gmail.com

Australia
Kidsreach Children's Services Inc
PO Box 265, North Richmond, 2754
P: 02 4571 4276, F: 02 4571 1789
M: 041 485 9020
W: http://www.kidsreach.org.au/
E: david.kidsreach@gmail.com

©2009 Kidsreach