Surprised by the role of children
We’ve been really encouraged to see the ways that children were involved in supporting the ministry! They even had their own section of the ‘North Africa’ magazine where missionaries would tell them about their work, inspire them for the future and encourage them to pray. Often, these articles invited the children to imagine what it would be like to grow up in the Arab world, giving examples of local children and their lives. They gave children vivid insights into cultures completely different to their own, but at the same time showed that these were people just like them who needed to know the truth about Jesus.
It’s inspiring to think how many missionaries may have first gained an interest in the Arab world through snapshots like these!
Never too young to learn
In 1908, we ran a ten-part correspondence course about mission, sent out monthly. This gave an introduction to the agency, talked about the history and current state of North Africa and, in this edition, gave practical examples of how the reader could get involved. Sunday School teachers were specifically invited to help the mission effort:
“Sunday School teachers have in their classes the missionaries of the next generation.”
“Nothing will quicken your zeal more or give clearer views on missionary work than having to give an address to your class or to the Sunday School.”
Children can support mission too
