2017 English 2017 Winter English | Page 6

Children of Jesus - Abilud Ávaloz (Lima, Peru) Victo I was born as the youngest of four children in a Christian home so I had the blessing of going to a church in Callao and seeing my family serve God diligently. I have always wanted to serve God since I was young. When I was fourteen, the director of the Sunday school program asked me to teach the children and youth of the congregation. At first, I did not want to do it because it was not in my own plans and I did not think I had the patience but I eventually decided to accept the position as director of the children’s ministry. In 2016, I was working full-time in a secular job when the director of the Sunday school program, Pastor Abilud, my uncle, asked if I wanted to serve in a new leadership position to disciple the future generation of children and youth. By then, God had given me a heart for the youth. I wanted to see them become passionate for God, be filled will the Holy Spirit and take the message of Jesus Christ to all corners of the world. But it more difficult than I thought. Sunday School materials were always available but well-written and developed ones were hard to find. The material was unappealing and unmotivating to the children; repetitious and mundane for the leaders; and costly for the church. This was not how we should approach teaching God’s children. It was also around this time that the Children of Jesus ministry was introduced to our church. For twenty-four years and counting, the COJ ministry has helped provide