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CIP REPORTS 2007
Program Highlights
· Michelle Ng leads a rousing 14-member worship team from Vineyard JB.
· Pr. Ann Low of NECF traces the origin and growth of the children in prayer movement in Malaysia. Shares video footage of past consultations by NECF and International Prayer Council on the revolutionary impact of interceding children.
· Pr. Jeffrey Chew reinforces the CIP vision and acknowledges NECF’s role in leading this.
· Messages from organizing committee.
· Corporate prayer for (1) self, for (2) region and for (3) the children.
Key Points from Plenary
Pr. Ann Low:
· The vision of CIP is Christ-centric: to glorify Jesus. The strategy in 2007 is to sound the call, cast the vision, exchange information, pray corporately, and ultimately initiating positive action through the establishment of a National Children’s Prayer Network (CPN) at the local level, and advancing into other regions.
· It is important to maintain communication flow with fellow workers, investment of time, and perseverance in the face of obstacles, without losing sight of the rewards.
Jeffrey Chew:
· Children are important actors in God’s plan. God will not leave the children in the end times. Children can be powerful in the hands of God; they can be agents of transformation for God’s great works to take place. It is our duty to help raise them up as able members of the Body of Christ.
· Paradigm shift in children’s ministry: It is not just adults ministering unilaterally to children. Children are effective ministers to the Lord and to one another, like what Samuel did. This ministry is by everyone, not just adults, for everyone and benefits everyone.
Carol Perumal:
· What are we (as ministering adults) if we cannot even teach our children to pray? Exhort children not just to pray, but to take over worship ministry, and even the entire service.
Chong Lei Wah:
· Used to think that children are the “future leaders” of the church and nation. They are not “future leaders” but also “present members of the Body of Christ”. This means, they are entitled to every biblical promise, revelation and gifting because they are members! Each anointing for adults belongs equally to the children as well.
· The older generation has to impart spiritual inheritance to their younger ones so that they can see further and run farther. When one generation has poured and invested on the next, they will be greater in latter glory and purpose.
Pr. Ang Siew Khim:
· As a young girl, she longed to know that somebody cares but there was no such thing as children’s ministry. As a child she was paralyzed with polio, a Christian came to visit and pray for her, and she was miraculously healed at 11 years old. Twice she almost drowned but survived. At 14, God spoke to her supernaturally and determined her course of life. Her childhood church in Taiping was small but encouraged children to have active and prominent roles, and entrusted her with translating and preaching sermons. She is a living fruit of that ministry today.
Topic: God Will Raise Up
Program Highlights
· Chairman of JB Pastors’ Fellowship Pr. Tay Wah Seng officiates welcome of all delegates to the first CIP consultation in Malaysia. Special commendation to Carol Perumal and Pr. Ann Low for coordinating this event.
· Video montage of actual prayers of children.
· Keynote message by Pr. Sam Phun.
· Offering to sow into the ministry.
Key Points from Plenary
Pr. Tay Wah Seng:
· Children are close to the heart of God. But that Jesus’ adult disciples were the ones that hindered children from drawing close to him. It is unfortunate that often times, children ministry are left to women in church who “have nothing much to do”, and is perceived as a lesser ministry.
Pr. Sam Phun:
· The Fall (Gen 3:15): Man kept his mouth shut when the serpent tempted Eve. When men abdicate their responsibility as the Head of the House and raise the standard of God, the family will fall.
· Fear entered Satan because the Son of the Woman will crush his head. In the Old Testament, Satan entered the Pharaoh to thwart Moses’ birth (Ex 1:8-10). God used adults (midwives, Moses’ parents and the Pharaoh’s daughter) to save Moses to fulfill his purpose i.e. to set Israel from bondage and establish the 10 commandments. In the New Testament, Satan entered Herod to thwart Jesus’ birth (Mt 2:3, 16-18). God used adults (wise men, Jesus’ parents) to save Jesus to fulfill his purpose i.e. set sinners free from death and established the grace of God. Throughout God’s timeline, whenever there is an important task, God will raise people to perform His task.
· Today, Satan entered the “system of the world” to oppress the masses of children and kill them off one by one, through abortion, suicide, drugs, sexual diseases, etc. Satan knows that God does not need to raise another Moses or Jesus because the victory is already won – God is raising a generation of adults that will claim responsibility.
· Don’t make children ministry a “pigeonhole ministry” and ask for “volunteers”. This is an end-time ministry, the purpose of God! As adults, we must be spiritual fathers and mothers to our children – because your next child could be the next Billy Graham. Your children deserve much more than just “volunteer” work.
· Children are a gift from God, not a burden. They can be powerful spiritual arrows (Psalm 127:4) but they are made not born, and must be shaved and sharpened. To raise children to fulfill their God-given purpose is not the role of the church but of the parents. Never allow parents to push parenting to the church.
· Titus 1:5 “For this reason, I left you in Crete… appoint leaders in every city as I directed you”. There is a reason where you are, why you are born in a particular country, or worship in a certain church, don’t run away. God is not looking for those who are talented but those who are faithful. Find and understand the purpose of God for you.
Word and Exhortation
· Word for churches: Seriously consider discipleship and biblical parenting; and good camps that can impact the community.
· Word for children ministry workers: Children ministry is not just about children. You must work together and connect with the parents. If the parents trust you, they will release their children to you. And you will see the church grow and impact the heart of the community.
· God is asking for an outpouring of our lives and time to this generation, and enlargement of hearts for the accomplishment of His purpose.
Program Highlights · Devotion from Pr. Mei Soon.
· Report by Jeffrey Chew, Malaysian representative of Esther Network International.
· Report by Pr. Michael Martin from Grace Manna House, a home for orphans, underprivileged children and destitutes.
· Benediction by Pr. Ang Siew Khim for both the international Esther Network and homegrown Grace Manna House – “strengthen the weak links” in the prayer chain.
Pr. Mei Soon
· She was initially averse to children ministry and told the Lord: “Any ministry but children ministry!” But God moved and spoke to her: “I am raising up a mighty army (of children) to march through this land. Do you want to join me in what I am doing?” She ended up being the ministry director for 6 years and later became a Children Pastor after graduating seminary. Now she’s in charge of Children, Family and Prayer for her church.
· God gives the same gifts to adults as well as to children. The same Holy Spirit who dwells within us is the same Holy Spirit who dwells in them. Children who believe in Jesus are citizens of the kingdom with their rightful portions.
1. Mt 18: The disciples asked who was the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Jesus replied that “the one who humbles himself like a child” is the greatest, and “whoever welcomes a little child in my name” welcomes Jesus.
2. But Mt 18 has two warnings: If anyone causes the little ones to sin and be a stumbling block, it will be better for a large millstone to be tied around his neck and be drowned in the depths of the sea (v.5)! And, do not despise children because they have angels assigned to each of them (v.10). What will these angels report to God of our interactions with children?
3. Even the Parable of the Lost Sheep was brought in context of children – because children are close to God’s heart and God does not desire them to be lost.
· What then is the role as adults? Adults need to train and teach them how to be kingdom dwellers (Prov 22). Good children do not emerge by chance. The best training a child can have is modeling by observation. They need to see the manifestation of the godly things in our lives e.g. praying to God, respect of others, carefulness in speech; as Paul said: “Imitate me as I imitate Christ”. We need to be “lifting blocks” not “stumbling blocks”. Children are always looking for heroes. If they don’t find it inside their homes, they will look outside.
· Esther Network International is birthed in 1989 by Esther Ilnisky, regarded as the pioneer of the global children’s prayer movement. She envisioned children as a praying army setting captives free around the world – “prayer warriors within our homes and an astounding untapped resource”.
Pr. Michael Martin
· Ministry born out of a vision from God of a dead girl held in his arms. He started a home and took in a mother and baby born out of wedlock. The home grew, and provisions miraculously appeared. Transformation came through the praying children, and brought deliverance from past spirits, inner healing, and divine intervention in signs and wonders.
· To expand the prayer network, they wanted to build a prayer house, involving pastors and churches in prayer with children, and as a platform for lost souls. The supplies of material and finance for construction just came supernaturally, without any fundraising!
· Before he started the Prayer Network, he dreamt of a big python that was trying to attack and hinder him. He took a stick to strike it. The python left and a bigger dragon came. He took a bigger stick and it went away. The next day the same dragon returned, and he also felt physical pain. There was real spiritual warfare that was overcome by intense prayer to take authority over the situation.
· For Esther Network: Are there any reproducible training programs for children’s prayer? Jeffrey and Irene Chew will share some Esther manuals during the afternoon workshop.
· For Grace Manna House: Elaborate on the Prayer Network.
1. 1 hour per child to pray before going to school, and prayers before lunch and after dinner. 3 times combined prayer in the morning, afternoon and night.
2. 24-hour prayer chain from 1 hour slots per child. The orphanage takes 3.5 days and churches take another 3.5 days so the chain is unbroken 7 days a week. Grow the prayer network from individual prayer to greater intercession, working collectively with organizations in prayer such as the Glory Praise Center.
3. Worship service every Friday. Once a while there are neighborhood prayer drives.
4. Study and homework time are on the children’s own.
Topic: Let’s Hear What God is Doing
Program Highlights
· Report by Phaik Hoon of Viva Network
· Report by Mei Chan of Kudat for Christ
· Report by International Networks – Rita Yau
Key Points from Plenary
Phaik Hoon – Viva Network
· Children are made in the image of God but are trafficked, sexually abused, forced into the streets; and are subject to poverty, lack of education, war, exploitative labor, malnutrition, broken homes and diseases etc. These are the children at risk.
· The biggest transforming power for children who have been hurt and traumatized is the relationship with Jesus. Viva Network (www.viva.org/pray) is committed to every child having the opportunity to become all that God intends. James 1:27 exhorts us to take ministry the helpless orphans and children. “Lift up your hands to Him for the lives of your children who faint from hunger at the head of every street” (Lam 2:19). Specifically children praying for children at risk: “From the lips of children and infants, you have ordained praise because of your enemies, to silence foe and the avenger” (Ps 8:2).
· World Weekend of Prayer (WWP) for children at risk is held on the first weekend of June every year. In 2006, 800,000 of prayer participants were from over 90 countries; 62% under 18 years old.
Mei Chan – Kudat for Christ
· Kudat is at the convergence of South China Sea and Sulu Sea. Todd Bentley in a Fresh Fire conference released a prophecy on Malaysia, on the same day that Tanjung Simpang Mengayau in Kudat, the northernmost tip of Sabah, was declared open for tourism. It was the former capital of Sabah and the first Hakka Christian had come through there. The local churches feel the spiritual need to claim this historic and strategic site.
· Todd envisioned an angel’s foot on Malaysia and on Indonesia. This angelic presence is a mark from heaven. Natural disasters will come as a sign that God is bringing revival. God’s enormous wave of glory is about to hit those coastlands and islands, the anointing of multiplication will come, and will open up the tremendous wealth stored for businessmen in Malaysian and Indonesia for his glory.
· Amid all this, there is a trending shift and an uprising of children and youths coming fervently to prayer. They pray daily, even though many have not prayed before, for revival on Sabah and Malaysia. There is such intensity in their praying that the “ground shakes” and experience visitations. At the same time the children are also excelling in their studies!
Rita Yau – International Networks
· God is doing a new thing that will spring forth here. The challenge is what we should do, regardless of age. Do not despise what is small. The Church should be equipped with discernment of the times so that they can equip and prepare the new generation.
Workshop 1: Children & Intercession
Key Points
1. Jesus is the Greatest Intercessor in our midst, constantly interceding for us. If we are to be like Christ, we have to be intercessors for others.
2. Scriptural guidance:
Workshop 2: Children & Worship / Evangelism
Key Points
1. “How can it not be My will when my children come together in praise and worship?”
2. ARISE!: Discipling children with the heart of worship and prayer. Launched in Singapore in 2002, it has since reached over 35000 children in 5 countries. The ministry is founded in obedience and unity.
3. Cannot separate praise and worship, from prayer and intercession and mission/evangelism.
4. Model of Discipleship:
5. Sing a new song to God. Sing your prayers to God! (Eph 5:19)
6. IHOP (International House of Prayer) Model.
Workshop 3: Children & Missions
Key Points
1. King’s Kids International (part of YWAM) purpose: to lead children, youth and families worldwide to know God in a proven way, bring Him joy and together make Him known to all peoples.
2. Children are trained to lead devotions, prepare sermonettes, and run prayer groups; and modeled after the character of God. Goal – to lead children to be comfortable in God’s presence and to be confident in who He is. This is the basis for which children pray and have a relationship with Him.
3. Role of children in missions: as encourager, supporter, intercessor and sender.
4. Gen 12:2-3 – Since God has bless us as a nation, it is time for us to be a blessing to others.
Topic: Let’s Hear What God is Doing
Program Highlights
· Rousing praise and worship by the Calvary Charismatic youth band.
· Updates on prayer movement by Pr. Ann Low of NECF at the local level that has spread to rural and ethnic churches, and at the regional level represented by the Southeast Asia Prayer Council.
· Delegates are divided into 5 regions for small group discussion: Northern (Penang, Kedah, Perlis), Central (Perak, Selangor, Wilayah, Putrajaya), Southern (Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Johor), Eastern (Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang), East Malaysia (Labuan, Sabah, Sarawak).
· Small groups will present their discussions on Saturday morning.
Key Points from Plenary
Pr. Ann Low
· 15% of missions giving goes to children, but 60-80% of the responses to the gospel are from children. 1 in every 3 person on the face of earth is a child below 15 years old. Our strategies should focus on the younger ones because they are more receptive and retentive of the gospel.
George Neo
· As the conference draws to a close, some are excited, some are overwhelmed, some concerned – What do we do now? Where do we go from here? The words of Jesus remind us: “Peace I leave with you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, do not be afraid” (John 14:27).
· Defining “shalom”: My peace I give to you not as the world gives. The full shalom peace is given to us by the Prince of Peace himself, Jesus. The peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard our hearts and our mind amid the storms.
Topic: How to Mobilize Children in Prayer
Children Ministry Begins with the Parents
Psalm 145:4 “One generation shall praise your works to another generation,
and shall declare your mighty acts.”
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