One thing I want to do with this blog is write reviews on the books that I'm reading. Books are a huge part of my life, and much of what I read influences me a great deal. One such book is Too Small to Ignore: Why the Least of These Matters Most by Wess Stafford. Stafford is the President and CEO of Compassion International, an organization committed to releasing children from poverty in Jesus' name. It is an organization that Patrick and I are proud to support through the sponsorship to two children in India. But more on that later...
The book chronicles Stafford's life growing up in the Ivory Coast as the son of missionary parents. What we would consider as hardship in a remote part of the world, this little boy relished with every part of his being. He tells stories of scaring off the baboons with slingshots and helping his father translate the New Testament into the native language. Though the stories are fun to read, the purpose of the book is to show the importance of children in our world, and how we should not see them as second class citizens or even just for their potential as "the future," but to cherish children for the contributions they are able to make even as youngsters. He highlights many instances in the Bible that God used children to accomplish His purposes on earth. During a discussion among the disciples on who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven, Jesus calls a small child to himself and says, "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." (Matt 18:3-4)
Stafford goes on to issue a challenge for the church to shift its priorities to its littlest members. Research indicates that the majority of Christians accepted Christ as a youth. So why aren't more resources being used in children's ministry? Why is it so difficult to staff the children's sunday school classes each week? As adults we are called to minister to children and teach them the truths of God's Word. It is when we touch the life of a child that we are able to touch the whole world.
This is an incredible book that I would highly recommend to anyone who has kids, works with kids, or has even been a kid. Hopefully as you read it you will be spurred on for the cause of children around the world. I know I was!
The book chronicles Stafford's life growing up in the Ivory Coast as the son of missionary parents. What we would consider as hardship in a remote part of the world, this little boy relished with every part of his being. He tells stories of scaring off the baboons with slingshots and helping his father translate the New Testament into the native language. Though the stories are fun to read, the purpose of the book is to show the importance of children in our world, and how we should not see them as second class citizens or even just for their potential as "the future," but to cherish children for the contributions they are able to make even as youngsters. He highlights many instances in the Bible that God used children to accomplish His purposes on earth. During a discussion among the disciples on who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven, Jesus calls a small child to himself and says, "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." (Matt 18:3-4)Stafford goes on to issue a challenge for the church to shift its priorities to its littlest members. Research indicates that the majority of Christians accepted Christ as a youth. So why aren't more resources being used in children's ministry? Why is it so difficult to staff the children's sunday school classes each week? As adults we are called to minister to children and teach them the truths of God's Word. It is when we touch the life of a child that we are able to touch the whole world.
This is an incredible book that I would highly recommend to anyone who has kids, works with kids, or has even been a kid. Hopefully as you read it you will be spurred on for the cause of children around the world. I know I was!
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