NEVER TOO YOUNG TO LEARN

FORT WORTH?Imagine 44 fifth- and sixth-graders out in the “real world” preaching, teaching, and sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. How often does this happen today? Not often, but for one group of pre-teens in Texas, this has become a significant part of their lives.

For the LITs (Leaders in Training) at Wedgwood Baptist Church in Fort Worth, their ultimate purpose is to share the Good News with people everywhere. Clint May, minister of childhood education at Wedgwood, the LITs faithful leader, and a 15-year minister to children, said, “Since I started working in this focus of equipping kids, I’ve seen more spiritual growth in the last three years than in the first 12 years of ministry.”

Almost eight years ago, May went to an international children’s pastor conference. “I was in amazement at what other denominations were doing other than Southern Baptists,” he said.

“I began to ask, ‘Is the abundant life for these kids too? Or is it just for adults?’ And then I started teaching them how important quiet time and prayer is. I started helping them develop a relationship with the Lord and understanding that he’s given us gifts so we can minister to the world.”

Since joining the staff at Wedgwood in 2002, May has focused on making disciples out of the children by training them to use puppets, lead praise and worship, teaching, preaching, drama, video, sound and PowerPoint. He has incorporated new techniques in helping the kids share Christ, including the Wordless Book Illustrated.

May said, “In church we teach the pre-teens how to do ministry. It’s a training ground, so when we go into the public, they do everything in sharing Christ on their own.”

During one of their summer mission trips, the LITs went on an outing to Corpus Christi. In a letter May wrote to parents and members of Wedgwood about this experience, he said:

“The children were doing all the work?music, puppets, Bible stories, crafts, and games. We taught the adults to observe and help if needed. They did a great job. What I did not anticipate was the power of God falling on the lives of these preteen children in such a powerful way. I will never think of them the same way again.

“These little brothers and sisters in Christ proclaimed [his] love ? without reservation. I was so amazed at how they took on the burdens of the children they ministered to. Adults often stood speechless as they observed the children teach more than 17 children at times.”

During this one experience, a 21-year-old mother came with her two children, and the gospel message spoke to her so powerfully that she accepted Christ. Todd Jimenez, a fellow children’s pastor, said to May, “I have not felt the presence of God like this in a long time. I am amazed at what these children are doing.”

A veteran of Child Evangelism Fellowship for more than 50 years, Alice Smith said of this experience, “It was truly amazing. ? I [rejoiced] to see little preacher Mark close his big Bible, tuck it under his arm, and say to [those who responded], ‘Follow me.’ It was touching to see him counsel a child a little younger than himself for more than 10 minutes and to see them pray together.”

In this one-week mission trip, the LITs led 27 people to Christ. If the concept of kids evangelizing doesn’t blow you away, then this will: since January, this group of pre-teens from Wedgwood have led over 125 people to Christ and have presented the gospel to more than 1,200 people.

Outside of their monthly mission trips, each pre-teen has learned to stand apart for Christ in their schools, neighborhoods, and among their circle of friends. May said, “One girl has led four of her friends to Christ in her home. I’m seeing a big shift. They are maturing and understanding what it means to let Christ be Lord.”

May keeps the LITs accountable through the enlisted help of their parents and loved ones. “We work with parents to hold their kids accountable in Bible study. They develop a daily devotional life and prayer. By the seventh week of training, they’ve learned how to share their faith and they conquer fears by practicing,” he said.

While most of them have grown up in Christian homes, they are now being taught at an early age how to be disciples and ministers for Christ. As a result, they have learned to abandon themselves, daily follow Christ, change lives for him, and overcome spiritual warfare.

For one mom of an LIT, she has seen a dramatic change in the life of her 12-year-old daughter, Amy. Julie Ross said, “She’s grown significantly in her faith and has developed a real passion for the lost. She’s a long way ahead of what she would be normally. She is ver