If you attended CPC this year, you will remember the focus for the international projects being planned for four countries in Central America in January; Panama, Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador, followed by Pakistan in February and finally Malaysia in March. All six of these projects were completed with excellent success and all of this due to the generous giving of those attending CPC.

As you should be aware, all INCM international projects are 100% funded by giving from those attending CPC. With these contributions the teachers and workers in these countries could not receive this training and equipping. Again, my personal thank-you to each of you that supported the INCM international work through your giving, participating and prayer support.

Central America - January:  For 2008 there were two back to back projects, one a return to the Panama Children’s Workers’ Conference as part of the conference workshop training and speaking team. This was followed with the finalization of the 2007 initiative with KidZ at Heart that had planned a three country training tour to Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras.

Nearly 250 teacher and workers attended in Panama. The conference was a three-day program held at a camp setting. The INCM training team included Scott Dodson and Rigo Jacobo from California, Ben Forbes from Texas. The conference ended in a festival program that included numerous presentations in puppetry, illusions, clown ministry and other unique children’s ministry features.

Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras had featured training sessions developed by KidZ at Heart. Between those three countries over 300 children’s workers and leaders were trained in teaching strategies, storytelling and other practical workshops on teaching children the Word of God. Dennis Lee was recruited by KidZ at Heart and also was part of the project team with several of his ventriloquist characters.

Pakistan – February:  Pakistan was not a favored country to visit as the US State Department had issued warnings that this country was the most dangerous country in the world. Plans for the Pakistan training had been made months in advance and being confident that this was God’s project, not man’s project, INCM went forward. Through connections with Marion Grant, INCM international trainer and former missionary to Pakistan for 21 years, through Marion’s Pakistan connections with the Brethren Churches of Pakistan, this two week training project in two locations went smoothly and without incident. Training was accomplished in Islamabad and Multan and bought together over 250 teachers, pastors and leaders. In addition, Marion and I were able to conduct several children's programs in more remote villages where children seldom get to have any type of special ministry guest. “Charlie” the parrot puppet Bible expert (not) was major hit as were the special activities of Bible learning games and dramatic presentations of The Good Samaritan where children got to play the character parts.

In spite of being in Pakistan over the tense time of national elections, the Pakistan project was incredibly successful. Each teacher was provided with a teaching kit of several items including the Gospel fabric story bag that is made and donated by Wanda Plank from Wichita, Kansas. Wanda has faithfully made and donated over 1,000 fabric Gospel story bags to date for INCM international efforts.

Malaysia – March:  This was the forth year INCM was able to assist in conducting training workshop for The Malaysian National Children’s Workers' Conference organized by Rev. Ooi Lin Chu. Ooi Lin and her husband, Lim, are pastors in the Kuala Lumpur area and Ooi Lin was able to attend CPC though scholarship assistance three years ago. Ooi Lin has been a visionary leader for children’s ministry in Malaysia now having organized a Children’s Workers’ for the past 5 years. Marion Grant and Judy Jarvis were part of this INCM training team where the conference brought together between 200-300 plus teachers, workers and leaders.

INCM Global Children’s Ministry

With support from the CPC participants, INCM continues its vision to reach and train children’s leaders and workers worldwide. The financial support each year from CPC offerings enables INCM to grow these annual projects and accomplish training that has, to date, impacted over 1,000,000 children.

New Training Material:  INCM is in the process of acquiring new training material that we hope to launch for 2009. This new training material has been adapted from the proven and successful Chronological Bible Storying method that has now been used for over 25 years and proven to be one of the most successful and effective approaches for teaching the Bible. Adapting this approach for children has the potential for new workshop material that can not only be used for training teachers, but can be effectively used by short term church based mission teams adding a component of children’s workers training and direct children’s ministry.

Training Team Opportunities:  If you are interested in participating on an INCM training team for the future, also contact me and I will provide you with additional information as projects are planned.

Global Children’s Ministry Training Financial Support:  As you plan your summer children’s programs, if you would like to feature the INCM International Ministry as your mission’s effort and raise funds to help provide training to children’s teachers and workers worldwide, please contact the INCM office at 1-800-324-4543 so we can provide you with a DVD that tells the INCM international story.

Thank you again for your prayer, financial support and involvement in the INCM Global Vision. We look forward to new doors of opportunity in 2009 and pray that you will continue to be partnered with us in reaching the millions of children worldwide who have not yet heard the story of Jesus.

Kurt Jarvis, INCM International Ministry Coordinator
Online contact form or call 801-653-0262