AGBOGUN, AVWEROSUOGHENE JOSEPH
Pilgrims Baptist Church, P.O Box 122 , Abraka, Delta State, Nigeria
agbogunjoseph00@gmail.com/ 08063774656
Abstract
There is moral decadence, which is much lamented as its effect dovetailed into all sectors in the
Nigerian society. This challenge has proved difficult to solve, putting all social agents to their feet.
The church is trying her part, but it seems that its impact is watered down the drain in this modern
generation. The best approach to tackling this menace follows equipping the children with strong
foundation of moral standard.Thus this study seeks to evaluate the socio-religious function of
children ministry among Baptist Churches in Abraka community in Delta State. The approach
includes expository and phenomenological using oral interview to elicit the opinion of the
population. It is discovered that the role of the church is noticed in different areas as pertain to
children including child socialization, family harmony, moral instruction, and faith foundation and
growth. It concludes that church children ministry influences the child so much that the local
church, family and the society are beneficiaries. This study recommended that the general public
should partner with the church in making the society a suitable place to stay.
Keywords: socio-religious, children ministry, Baptist church, function.
Introduction
There are a good number of children in every growing church. The church is supposed to
minister to and nurture these children towards maturity. When the children areproperly attended
to, there could be many effects on the church and society. But the church is not doing well in this
direction rather she overlooked and underestimated the role of children ministry making her to
lack dedicated and active members; inter-personal relationship is soured; and children become
bonds of trouble and threats to the family and the society at large. Thus, there is need to evaluate
the role of children ministry among the Baptist churches. The scope is limited to Baptist churches
in Abraka. This study comprises/entails the overview of Nigerian Baptist Convention Children
Ministry; brief history of Baptist Mission in Abraka, Biblical Foundation for ministering to
children, the channels of ministering to children among Baptist Churches and role of children
ministry in Abraka.
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An Overview of Nigerian Baptist Convention Children Ministries
The Nigerian Baptist convention maybe seen as God-ordained, Christ-focused and people’s
growth-oriented. Based on the above, the Baptists choose to minister to every stage of life from
the Bible. The children’s ministries of the NBC involve reaching out to children by taking the
gospel of Jesus to the children and developing them to be mature Christians who will eventually
reach out to others. The aims and objectives of children’s ministries of the NBC according to
Ayanrinola (2017) include the following among others:
- To lay the foundation Biblical principles in the lives of children
- To lead children to Christ
- To help children grow in the knowledge of Christ
- To provide opportunity for children to witness Christ to other and
- To help children experience true worship and mission (p. 2).
Again, the children’s ministries of the Nigerian Baptist convention likewise, cover ages
zero to twelve. Children are proud everywhere, both inside and outside the church. The population
of children inside the church almost equals that of adults, which signifies picture hope of growth
for the church if they are welt catered for today. The NBC programme or ministries reach out to
children from conception to 12 years; categorized as birth to 2 year (Infant) preschoolers (3-6
years), and school age children (7 to 12 years). The Baptist churches can reach the children through
diverse programme, according to Ayanrinola, (2017) like Children Sunday School, Sunday
Worship Service, Church Training or Discipleship, Children Choir, Sunbeam Band and Family
Development Program.MC (p. 4)
Biblical Foundation for Children Ministry
Scholars worldwide have noticed that the Bible has at least a word for every life endeavour,
whether directly or indirectly, which makes it a universal scholastic literature. God in His
relationship with the Israelites did not overlook the children. However, Lateju (2007) said
“ministering to children can be said to predate history, but we are sure that during the biblical
period, it was never taken lightly” (p. 10). The prehistory seems not be handy while the biblical is
recorded. There is a wide range of materials on Bible basis for ministering to children but the
following will be considered.
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First, it is important to note that homes without children tend to lack sincere joy, laughter
and hope. The Bible says that Sarah said “God has brought me laughter and everyone who heirs
about this will laugh with me” (Genesis 21:6, NIV). Sarah the wife of Abraham made this
statement at the miraculous delivery of their promised child at a very old age, an expression of joy.
Contrarily, were there no other sources of joy in married homes in absence of children? Though
we would not fail to appreciate that the presence of children in every home brings about several
challenges but when the children are ministered to adequately, the challenges are either minimized
or converted into blessings.
Second, children need to partake optimally in religious activities to allow for sustainability
and continuity of religious activities and their lessons as well as the socio-religious impacts. God
commanded the Israelites as they exited out of Egypt to involve children in their religious
celebrations (Exodus 12:24-27). In this passage, the children should be explained to the children
whenever they ask. Children have obligation to ask questions about what they did not understand.
Answering such questions is a means of ministering to them. Infact, parents are commanded to
teach their children through this means. Teaching can also be a calculated attempt to transmit
information from one person to another.
Third, somehow children are given particular attention by God. In Deuteronomy 6:4-9,
God commanded parents to train their children diligently. Every good method or approach should
be used as many times as possible until the lesson is understood and practiced. Again, the passage
refers to the use of teaching aids, and making every encounter with the children to be profitable in
disseminating God’s precepts and teachings. Perhaps, the church may assume that the Bible is
referring to only biblical parents. No! All adults and parents in as much as the church is concerned.
We ought to prove our parenthood by giving all we have gotten from God’s to our children. Even
modern ways of learning must be exploited and be made available.
Fourth, children are capable of hearing, understanding and receiving messages from God
whenever He speaks. In 1 Samuel 3:1-12, God called Samuel at about age 12. The fact that Samuel
could not identify the voice of who is calling shows that children need the guidance of the adults
who may stand behind the scene- a roll of teachers. Moreso, God’s selection and election is right
from childhood. The earlier we make them remain in Christ the more peaceful they become to the
society. Supporting this idea, God makes it crystal clear in Jeremiah 1:5 that He “knew” and
“called” anyone right from the womb. What is the fate of one called or chosen from womb but not
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properly brought up? Thus, the vitality of children ministry is paramount in guiding children along
God-ordained track.
Fifth, in the poetic Books of the Old Testament, there is support to minister to children.
Psalm 127:3-5 indicated that children are blessing from God and are helpful in combating life’s
situation and enemies especially when they have grown up. In my opinion, no child is useless
through only the well-trained will become a blessing while others will become a reproach. In the
same vein, Proverbs 22:6 encourages that children should be trained or catered for early in life to
ensure a fruitful future. Still, Proverbs 13:1 introduces the fact that children are epitome of
obedience that adults must take advantage to lead them to Christ.
Sixth, going into the Gospels, Jesus shown the way children should be ministered to. They
should be loved, carried, talked to, played with and prayed for (Mark 10:13 – 16). One of the ways
children learn is by imitation. Let us be involved in Practicing Jesus models is ministering to the
children. Jesus went further to give strong warning to adults not to hinder children from coming to
Him but should bring children to Him. Every child should be introduced to Christ for divine
encounter, which is the core duty of children ministry.
Lastly, in the Epistles, Paul did not overlook the children, rather he admonished parents to
discipline and instruct their children in the way of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4). This passage
particularly directs the work of teaching and discipline to fathers. How far or much are fathers
involved in the children ministries of the Baptist churches today. This is a clarion call on men to
be involved immensely in children upbringing. Even while in the church, the children worship
service requires the attention of fathers in planning, sponsoring, as well as direct and indirect
participation ministry activities.
Structure of Children Ministry in Baptist Churches
Sunbeam Band: It is a mission group for children from birth to ten years. In this programme,
mission and evangelism are bequeathed to the children. Ayanrinola (2007) says that missions and
evangelism are very important in Christendom because that is the heartbeat of the church and
should be taught from childhood (p. 3). This Band is directly under women’s Missionary Union
(WMU) who designed and finances the programme for the children. The children meet with their
leader(s) during the week for missions learning and emphasis.
Children Ministry is very important in the household of God. This ministry is meant to care
for the spiritual, physical and moral growth of the young ones in the congregation. The ministry is
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purpose to teach, cancel and visit the children, meet their parents occasionally to enhance all round
development of such children to the glory of God. Egbe Irawo (a society for children) was included
among the five societies organized in 1916 by the Rev. A. Scott Patterson, Southern Baptist Missionary
from America. Mrs. George Green, wife of the first Baptist Medical Missionary to Nigeria, had a great
interest in little children and did a lot to encourage young people.
When Baptist Women Missionary League was organized in 1919, Egbe Irawo was recognized as
part of this league. So the Sunbeam Band has grown up with Women’s Missionary Society. Gradually,
groups of children were brought together in villages and towns and they were taught scripture verses and
choruses. A director was appointed to take care of Sunbeam.
Sunbeam Programme includes: Sunbeam memory verses contest, Sunbeam day camp, Sunbeam
Weekly programme, Sunbeam week, Sunbeam Band mission study, Sunbeam prayer calendar,
Sunbeam magazine, Evangelism, and Visitation. SunbeamMeetingholds for one hour in a chosen
day of the week, especially the day when their parents are holding their own meetings. The
Sunbeams have their own uniform (White and Cream Color), Badge and Cap, which are used on
special occasions. Sunbeam Band Watchwords are: Jesus Said, “I am the light of the
world” (John 8: 12); also Jesus Said, “Ye are the light of the world” (Matthew 5: 14); and therefore,
“Let your light so shine” (Matthew 5: 16).
Girls’ Auxiliary (G.A): this is an organization for girls between the ages of 10 and 16, who love
Christ and want to serve Him. They also want to be part of Christ great missionary movement
around the world. It has to-fold purpose: to develop the missionary zeal and response to Christian
girls; and to girls to Jesus Christ and encourage a worldwide service for Christ. In every church,
preaching station and school where it is possible, the girls should be organized into junior and
intermediate groups. While the junior Gas are girls of ages 10-12, the intermediates are of 13-16.
Each group has its own officers and meets in separate places weekly.
When Women Missionary Union (WMU) started in 1919 in Nigerian Baptist convention,
the Girls’ Auxiliary was also included. In 1925, the Girls’ Auxiliary was officially recognized by
the WMU as an important member of her family. The Girls’ Auxiliary watchword is: “Arise and
Shine for your Light has come and the Glory of the Lord is risen upon you.” (Isaiah 60:1). The
hymn of mission is titled: “We’ve a Story to Tell” and their colours are green, white and gold. The
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emblem contains a white star with the gold monogram on it and on a green octave engraved with
gold. The star represents their star ideals. The colours of the emblem are full of meanings: green
stands for growth or development; white for purity; and gold for sincerity.
The Girls’ Auxiliary allegiance is knowing that many people live in spiritual darkness and
giving attention to Christ’s commands, I pledge my loyalty to Jesus Christ, his church and its
activities; attempting with God’s help to abide in him through prayer; to advance in wisdom by
bible study; to acknowledge my stewardship of prosperity, time, money and personality; to adorn
myself with good work; and to accept the challenge of the great commission. The Girls’ Auxiliary
aim remains to learn conditions about themselves and around the world; to guard their minds
against evil; to keep their bodies clean and acceptable to God; to put selfishness out of their hearts;
to take part in all our denomination does; and to make jesus Christ known all over the world.
Royal Ambassador (R.A): The Royal Ambassadors is the name of a Baptist organization for
boys between the ages 10 and 24-an international missionary organization found in the following
continent; African, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, and South America. The Royal
Ambassador worldwide started in 1908 the United States of America among the Brotherhood
Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), USA. The Royal Ambassadors recently
celebrated its centenary in 2008. The Royal Ambassadors is also paramilitary organization.
The Royal Ambassadors in Nigeria is called Royal Ambassador of Nigeria (RAN) and was
founded in Nigeria in the 1920’s by the southern Baptist convention SBC), USA; and came to
Nigeria as one of the world’s leading organization for Boys. The Royal Ambassadors was
sponsored by the women’s Missionary Union until 1954 when it was proposed that the Men of the
Nigerian Baptist Convention took over the work of the Royal Ambassadors in Nigeria. The
situation that led to the proposal of Men and Boy’s Department in 1961 which served both men
and boys, then later became the defunct Men’s Missionary Union and Youths Department, now
known as Missionary Organization Department since 1998.
CardinalObjectives are: Helping Boys in personal, spiritual development and discipleship;
Equipping members for mission Action; Ensuring Educational and career development of Boys;
Promoting social awareness, responsibility and responsiveness; Promoting personal and corporate
discipline and cohesion; Promoting personal commitment demonstrated in stewardship of life,
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Churchmanship denominational interest, and understanding as well as appreciation of Baptist
beliefs and practices; and Enabling members’ personality, potentiality, and dignity development.
Royal Ambassadors is the name of a Baptist Missionary Organization for Nigerian boys
between the ages of ten (10) and Twenty Four (24). Royal Ambassadors is also an international
organization, in many countries of the world where there are Baptists. This organization is found
on the continents of Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, and South America. Royal
Ambassadors work began in the United State of America in 1908. It was started in Nigeria in the
1920’s. In Nigeria, the Women’s Missionary Union sponsored the organization from the beginning
until 1954. At that time, it was thought that the Men of the Nigerian Baptist Convention should
sponsor the boys work. In 1961 the Department of Men and boys’ work was proposed and the
Royal Ambassadors became a part of this Department.
The Royal Ambassadors motto is found in 2 Corinthians 5:20: We areambassadors for
Christ.”Vision is: Touching the lives of boys and impacting the eternity of men! FoundingGoals
are: to become well informed; responsible follower of Christ to have Christ-like concern for all
people; to carry the message of Christ around the world; to work with others in sharing Christ; and
to keep myself clean and healthy in mind and body.
Objectives include: helping boys in personal spiritual development and discipleship;
equipping members for mission action; ensuring educational and career development of boys;
promoting social awareness, responsibility and responsiveness; promoting personal and corporate
discipline and cohesion; romoting personal commitment demonstrated in stewardship of life,
churchmanship and denominational interest, and understanding as well as appreciation of Baptist
beliefs and practices; and enabling members’ personality, potentiality, and dignity development.
Royal Ambassadors Pledge: As a Royal Ambassador I will do my best:
To become a well-informed, responsible follower of Christ;
To have a Christ-like concern for all people;
To carry the message of Christ around the world;
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To work with others in sharing Christ; and
To keep myself clean and healthy in mind and body
Other Channels of Ministering to Children in Baptist Churches
The children’s ministry of the Nigerian Baptist convention covers the following areas:
a) Children’s Sunday School: This is a Bible study class for children on Sunday morning that
commences around 9am according to the church worship time. The Sunday school teachers
meet during the week to preview the lesson. The children are classified into different age
groups like play group, pre-nursery, primary 1-3, 4-6, etc. The teachers do the follow-up
during the week.
b) Children Worship Service: Children’s worship service is designed to allow the children to
worship God in their own way and language they understand. At this level, in rural area, the
vernacular is encouraged. All necessary liturgical items to make worship meaningful and
messages down to the level of the children are employed. The teachers also meet during the
week to preview and prepare for Sunday worship activities.
c) Children’s choir: Churches should teach children church music that includes voice training,
instrumentation, hymnody, etc. Churches should teach children how to read notes, and sing
hymns and choruses with good and sound theology. Choirmasters should encourage gifted
children to compose new choruses and songs. It should be noted that the children’s choir are
to minister in the children church and not to be featured in the adult worship service except
on special occasions, though not their detriment.
d) Children Church Training or Discipleship: It is a discipleship ground for children. It takes
place on Sunday Evenings as part of evening worship or during the Home fellowship time. It
has the same pattern with the Sunday school in terms of age grading and expectations of
teachers.
e) Holding Holiday Bible School and Bible Clubs: They are additional programme of Bible
teaching for children. The holiday Bible School is a three to five days activity from 9am to 12
noon. It is usually done during the holidays to keep the children busy and instructed for the
Lord.
f) Family Development Programme: This is designed to minister to parents, teachers and
children according to Doherty (2003). In the Baptist, churches are encourages to organize
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programme that will minister to parents because children’s ministry without reaching out to
parents may not bring lasting fruits. The children spent more quality time with parents
especially in African perspective.
Socio-religious functions of Children Ministry among Baptist Churches in Abraka
Community
Children ministry in churches has a lot of benefits to all a sundries, both at the immediate
and remote setting. Whatever the church does to improve human living affects the society. Some
areas to be covered in eliciting information from respondents for discussion includes: Family
harmony, Child socialization, Faith/spiritual foundation and continuity and moral instruction and
Development. The above aligns with the social-religious role of children ministry among Baptist
churches in Abraka community.
Family Harmony: The emotion shown by children before and after attending any activities in the
church goes a long way to determine how they behave at home. From my personal observation,
during the meetings of the children, there is usually fullness of joy, occasioned by full participation.
This joy and merriment are transported unto the family. It is opined that children workers or
facilitators try as much as possible for children to leave the scene of activities with happiness and
interest. (Interview with Esiere Gabriel, 2019). The children go home tom meet their parents telling
stories they learned and showing works they did in their activities books and other puzzle or
drawings. In fact, Ihwighwu Blessing (Interview with, 2019) could not hold herself back from
expressing the laughter caused by her little daughter each time she returns from sunbeam weekly
activities.Everyone in the family shares in the joy. For those whose children lack such opportunity
something is eluding them.
Again, children workers in the church own it a duty to visit the children at home. Lateju
(2007) lends her voice to the fats that a time of visiting the family of a child culminates in
ministering to the entire family. Peter Omajemite (interview with, 2019) says that on his visit to a
particular family sometimes ago, the boy who was about 8 years old called the parents and siblings
that his personal pastor has come to visit and everyone must entertain him. He further says that
when he and his team were about to leave the home, the boy called the parents to kneel down so
that his pastor (Daddy in the Lord) will bless them all. Family harmony is obviously fostered. It is
possible that some parents have not prayed together for sometimes before then echoed. (Interview
with Oghenechovwiere Patience, 2019).
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In another vein, Oserayohwo Okiemute (Interview with, 2019) submits that children are
capable of praying for the harmony and peaceful co-existence of the family. Their petitions are
usually granted by God because of their strong faith, innocence and sincerity. Children ministry
has an aspect called family life in which parents are ministered to through workshop, prayers,
among others. This usually helps to facilitates family harmony. Parents and children talk about
their need and challenges; and prayers are rendered in line with them. (interview with Anokwuru
Clara, 2019). Again, Umukoro Kelvin (Interview with, 2019) submits that family harmony is
enhanced as both parents and children are encouraged to participate in family daily devotion.
George Vogrin (2014) states that daily family devotion is important for the spiritual growth of
children and unity of the family. ChildrenMinistry in churches generates the interest to participate
in all religious activities at home.
Child socialization: Socialization according to Okon (2018) is one of the processes through which
people are taught or learn to be proficient members of a society or it describes the way people
come understand societal norms and expectations; to accept society’s beliefs; and to be aware of
societal values in the view of (p. 110). Harlow and Harlow (1962) emphasize the necessity for
early social contact for little ones by conducting a series of experiments studying how rhesus
monkeys, which behave a lot like people, are affected by isolation as babies and concluded that
social comfort was of greater value than food to children. It is through socialization that the child
is integrated into the meaningful structure of society. In the opinion of Eseroghene Patience
(Interview with, 2019) child socialization involves interpersonal relationship between the child
and his environment, both animate and inanimate constituents.
Religion remains a formidable agent of socialization in every society. In line with this view,
Okon (2018) states that although religion may be a personal thing, there is a communal dimension
whereby young people are often initiated to the various rites of passage and processes of atonement
( P.118). No real living religion is practiced by an individual; rather it must involve two or more
people. Does every religion afford children good opportunity for socialization? According to
Ohwoyovwe, (Interview with, 2019).the communal dimension brings about interaction and
socialization influences. Every religion brings people together for worship and fellowship,
whereby there is interchanging of knowledge. When children are involved, learning is made easy
and central.
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People seek to obtain rewards in their social gathering; children are not exempted. Adewale
(1994) opines that associating with another person may be intrinsically rewarding as in love and
sociability or it may bring rewards that are extrinsic to the association itself, such as advice and
help from colleague and neighbors (P.4). Ogbefi (Interview with, 2019) says that children learn to
show love to God and others as they participate in the children classes. Loving God and others is
central in the curriculum of children ministry. Emetua (Interview with, 2019) comments the effort
and advantage of children ministry in his church when he said that his daughter overcome shyness
and aggression through recitation activities and counsel of children church leaders.
Moreover, Lateju (2007) mention some of the ways children can be ministered to viz:
providing for physical, social, emotional and intellectual needs of the children even as their
spiritual needs are being catered for; raising mentors for children, and looking for, listening to,
learning about and loving children. Children learn from whatsoever is being shown to them in
course of relationship and socializing with teachers in the church. The social needs of children
being catered for help them develop adequately socially because children learn by imitation. In the
view of Diegbe (Interview with, 2019) all human needs are important and anyone met draws the
child closer and makes them sociable. Once a relationship with a child is defined and targeted, it
brings a desired result in the child as this is the goal of our children ministry.
Young people should be deliberately taught that social life is not only in the physical, but
that there is an invisible domain which is equally relevant to man. This introduction to the
metaphysical domain should be guided thoroughly. Adewale (1994) submits that another
dimension of socialization process which is intrinsically religious is to intimate children at the
formative years with the idea of the sacred (P.6). This could have positive moral consequences.
This suggest that all human religions should be involve ion teaching religious elements and ideas
to their children early enough to win and retain them in parents’ religious practices. Oghenerhoro
(Interview with, 2019) reiterates the necessities of catching children early enough for Christ when
he said that the rate at which young people are taking part in immoral and anti-social practices in
the society is alarming. The only way to solve the epidemic is by cutting their supply among the
children are introduced to religious activities early, religious forms the background of their social
life.
Faith Foundation and Growth: Faith transmission and preservation are not done in vacuum but
deliberately inputting it into younger generation who must practice it. Lateju (2007) apparently
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agrees with the ideas of teaching children for continuity when says: the church of God needs
children for continuity, as they are the future church, which must depend on them for survival.
Imene (Interview with, 2019) says that the children today are the youth tomorrow and Adult a day
after. Thus the church must acidulously equip her children ministry for good result. Iwaka
(Interview with, 2019) asserts that any church that neglect her children ministry has shot herself
on the foot. No church has the hope of having solid foundation and future fruitfulness without a
blossoming children ministry.
The reason why children ministry is important to the church is because any life affected at
that age stands tell and strong in the church. Lateju (2007) further states that about 85% of people
give their lives to Christ between 4-14 years of age (p.21). Eghwrudje Patience (Interview with,
2019) opines that those who grew up in a particular church make better active membership than
those who came when they are already adults. So most nominal church members are those who
repented adulthood. Most church crises are caused by such members. Their spirituality is shallow
and commitment weak, except in rare cases when such individuals had practically personal
encounter or experiences with God. This is similar with Paul’s example in the New Testament.
Paul’s dramatic and spontaneous encounter with the Lord help him to translate his Zeal, knowledge
and boldness into preaching the gospel bar.
Growing up in the church deepens one’s experiences with God. Enakireri Christiana
(Interview with, 2019) says that the experiences of a child who underwent all organizational
training and experience in the Baptist church of light and faith is firmly founded. The tendency of
falling in love with Baptist beliefs practices and activities is rare. Enakireri goes further to state
that even if such child is a female and marries to a man from other dominations, she never forgets
her childhood experiences. Thus, there is much reflections and comparison with experiences in the
new demotion. Such people often call for adaptation and borrowing of practices into the new
church.
A good foundation usually allows for rapid growth but poor foundation brings collapse in
journal of faith. The question is: are parents conscious of the need to facilitate spiritual and faith
foundation for their children? In attempt to answer the question above, Enughwure Cordelier
(Interview with, 2019) has the opinion that the major reason why parents especially mothers want
their children to attend the church with them is to give them elementary steps of faith and spiritual
development. Thus, parents must be certain that their children has the unique opportunity that will
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cause faith development in the church in the same vein, the church leadership ensures that adequate
provision and preparation are made to enable the children encounter Christ and take a step forward
in faith development. But Oghenerhoro Patience opines that a child who is not interested in church
activities cannot grow spiritually. The experiences in the activities are meant for training the mind
of the child.
Moral Instruction: the church is at the centre of children moral instruction, especially in Africa.
Moral development enhances spiritual or faith development and vice-a-vise. Moure (2017) submits
that almost all families in a given community teach the same moral codes. This is because the
families determine the content of morality or the moral standard. Churches in Urban Centres
comprise of families from different communities and moral standards. This is why teaching
morality in the church comes with great challenges. Umukoro (Interview with, 2019) opines that
it is easy for churches to teach morality to children because they appeal to the Holy Bible as
supreme authority.
Many religions have value frameworks regarding personal behaviour meant to guide
adherents in determining between wrong and right. The center of moral instruction is helping
children to develop the capacity to shun wrong behavior and embrace right ones in most times.
According to Elias Wiebe (1989) the first step of the church to nurture morality into their young
generation starts with supporting and visiting expectant mothers to help build sensitivity to others
in the child. Nurture here includes keeping children in check by loving restraint and ongoing
relations of trust and care. In this case, the church prepares and helps parents in taking care of their
children moral needs.
In addition, Lateju (2007) submits that some of the ways the church influences the moral
life of the children include having discipleship class for them; providing role-model for each child
or group; providing moral leader; providing books and other materials for children, as well as
fostering mentor-mentee relationship (p.36). The church has a lot to do and must be quick in doing.
Eseroghene Patience (Interview with, 2019) quite agrees that the church has several plans and
equipment to foster moral instruction in children but she lacks human resource that can be trained
to do the work. This is where leadership plays a serious role. To this end, every conscious leader
make effort to recruit adequate manpower and get them trained and assign them to duty-the Baptist
church is trying a lot.
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Again, the experience of the child can be influenced in the sanctuary by objects and symbol
that riposte Christian nurture and morals. Since moral issues are real life or practical. Events,
Wiebe Elias (1989) is of the opinion that children must be given the opportunity to consider
genuine moral problems, moral dilemmas, and to experience real social and cognitive conflict.
Most likely, the teachers’ task is to stretch moral reasoning, aiding the child in perceiving issues,
reasoning, and making moral decision. All of those may be applied in future of the child
Endeavour.
Conclusion
The children ministry of the Baptist church is well-structured; equipped; and stands very
effective. The Church works out the goal of socialization of societal member starting from infancy
to old age. Church children ministry has a lot to contribute to child growth, well-being,
socialization, family harmony, and moral instruction. Thus church children ministry has the
capacity to influence every child so much that the local church, family and the society benefit from
it. Priests have the onus of responsibility in choosing where their children are gloomed to have a
balanced spiritual and moral development. If parents fail to lay a solid foundation for their
children’s moral, social and spiritual growth, someone will definitely do that outside the home.
This can be dangerous as the personal foundation of the person matters in this.The public should
seek partnership with the church in making the society a suitable place to stay as children are
adequately equipped for a balanced social life. This study has supported the fact the church
children ministry is a veritable means of reaching, nurturing and bringing up children to affect our
society positively.
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Interview
Interview withImene, Paul (42), Bussinessman & Deacon, EmmanuelBaptist Church, Abraka
2/7/2019
Interview withIwaka, Oke (32), Businessman, United Baptist Church, Abraka, 30/6/2019
Logos: African Journal of Philosophy and Studies. Vol. 4, 2021
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86
Interview withEghwrudje Patience, (28) Parent and trader, Calvary Baptist Church, Abraka,
29/6/2019
Interview withEnakireri Christiana (40) Parent and Children Worker, Emmanuel Baptist Church,
29/6/2019
Interview withEnughwure Cordelia (53), Parent and Civil Servant, First Baptist Church, EkrejetaAbraka, 26/6/2019
Interview withPst (Mrs) Oghenerhoro Patience, (38), Civil Servant& Children Counselor,
Emmanuel Baptist Church Abraka, 24/6/2019
Interview withEseoghene Patience (32), Civil Servantand children ministry worker, Omega
Baptist Church, Abraka on 2016/2019
Interview withOhwoyovwe Jane (52), a Parent and Civil Servant, Mt. Zion Baptist Church on
22/6/2019
Interview withOgbefi, Loveth (48), a Parent and Farmer,First Baptist Church, Urhuoka-Abraka on
28/6/19
Interview withEmetua, Blessing (40), a Parent and Businessman, First Baptist Church, UrhuokaAbraka, on 28/6/2019
Interview withDiegbe Efeturin (41), a Civil Servantand children ministry worker, Emmanuel BC,
20/6/19
Interview withUmukoro, Kelvin (49), a Parent and Civil Servant, First Baptist church, EkrejetaAbraka on 15/5/2019.
Interview withRevd Mrs. Clara I. Anokwuru (52), Parent and Children Ministry Pastor Calvary
Baptist church, Abraka on 4/6/2019.
Interview withPastor Gabriel Esiere (32), Children Pastor, Emmanuel Baptist Church, Abraka on
2015/2019
Interview withMrs. Blessing Ihwighwu (34), Parent and Trader, United Baptist Church. Abraka
28/5/19.
Interview withPastor Omajemite Peter (43), Children Pastor, United Baptist Church, Abraka,
10/4/19
Interview with Oghenechiovwiere, Patience (64), Civil Servant and caregiver, First Baptist
Church, Urhuoka-Abraka.