Parents, Family & Children’s Ministry Matter
The following statistics are gleaned from a 2019 survey of 400 children’s ministry leaders across the country.
- Childhood is when most people find Jesus. No matter who does the survey, one fact is overwhelming. Once a person reaches adulthood, salvation becomes increasingly rare. Evangelism is most effective in the childhood and teen years.
- Two thirds of Christians came to faith before the age of 18.
- Forty-three percent came to Christ before or around age 12.
- The largest percentage of conversions to Christ happen between ages 12 and 18.
- Fewer than one fourth of Christians came to Christ after age 21.
Every child needs the gospel. Our goal should be that every child should be in Christ when they are mature enough to understand their need for salvation. So, if the church is to be missional, let’s be missional with those closest to us—the ones already within the church walls.
- Parents and family have the greatest impact. Every parent has the God-given privilege of teaching children how to live for Christ. We should not be surprised that young people mostly come to salvation thanks to a loving mother or father.
- Parents were named by 50% of those surveyed as a major factor in their salvation decision.
- Twenty-four percent listed other family members as important factors in their decision.
The greatest thing parents can do is model and teach faith at home while demonstrating that faith in a public and congregational setting. As your children begin to grasp how the Gospel affects their lives, they will increasingly show more interest. Pay attention to questions regarding heaven and hell, forgiveness of sins, the nature of God and other concepts. These all indicate that something is going on deep inside. Your child may be ready for a decision.
- Children’s ministry matters. The survey found children’s ministry and Christian peers are a factor in their decisions.
- Twenty-nine percent said children’s ministry (or a children’s ministry leader) helped them in their decision to come to Christ.
- Twenty-six percent listed their friends as a factor.
- Eighty-six percent of those surveyed listed Sunday School as a major factor in their salvation.
Deut. 31:12 – “Assemble the people – men, women and children, and the aliens living in your towns – so they can listen and learn to fear the Lord your God and follow carefully all the words of this law.”