Second Middle East Children’s Ministry Training Conference, Amman- Jordan

“I learned how to bring up a generation in the love of Christ…”
A participant at the conference

This is what “Beyond Words II” Training conference in the Middle East
was all about. Bringing up a generation in the Love of Christ echoes very loud especially in these troubled times that the Middle East is going through.

Obstacles couldn’t stop them
More than 250 delegates from Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, The West
Bank and a few expatriate delegates from the churches in the United
Arab Emirates attended the 3 day conference in Jordan from 6 – 8 July 2006. Many of them especially those coming from Iraq (37) and the West Bank (11) went through very difficult journeys and long immigration and customs procedures to get to the conference site in Amman.

“The thing that stood out for me was the strong faith of all the delegates who attended. I know that some of them were able to come only by undergoing very difficult journeys and traveling circumstances and their joy in having made it to Jordan and to the conference was so evident”. Amy – Red Balloon

Let’s Worship the Lord together
It was just great seeing all these people representing many churches
and denominations in their own countries gathering together at the Terra Sancta School in Amman with one aim, to learn how to reach out more effectively to children in their communities. Learning is one thing, worshipping the Lord together is another… All stood up singing and praying together every morning lifting up their arms and voices in singing to the Lord.

“We wanna see Jesus lifted high, a banner that flies across this land,
That all men (& Children) might see the truth & know, He is the way to
heaven… We wanna see Jesus lifted high...”

I learnt a lot about hope while I was there. If these guys can have so
much hope for their difficult situations, and can share their faith in God
when it could cost them everything, then surely I can do more in my
situation with my faith.

Joyful Communication Skills
Six different workshops took place simultaneously 3 times a day
teaching delegates on the use of Drama, Puppetry, Tricks and Visual Aids, Story Telling, Singing & Worship, in their ministry with children as well as Teaching about the place of Children in God’s Kingdom. Over the period of 3 days, every delegate attended 9 different workshops. In addition to the learning benefit, they all had a great time as they integrated in the sessions. Their smiles & laughter echoed all over the school.

“The event showed us how various means of “entertainment” can be used to convey the powerful message of God’s love for His people, especially the children. We learn more about our faith when we share it with the little ones… Thank you so much, and we go armed with these tools to enrich our teaching skills” Deena – Participant from Dubai

Never Too Old!
“Before coming to the conference, I was starting to believe that I have
become too old to continue to work with children” an older participant
said. “ But when I saw the excitement and joy of some of the trainers,
who were older than me, the Lord showed me that there is always room for me to work with children, I am not too old… so I decided to carry on”

Your Prayer & Support made it Happen
I would like to thank the Lord first for making this conference a great
blessing to all.

A big thank you to all our friends in the churches in Jordan, who did a great job in preparing for this conference. Your hospitality was overwhelming.

Thanks a lot also for the leadership & staff of our partners in this event Heart of Mercy in Amman. Your hard work especially in providing the logistics made a big difference.

Thanks to all our Friends, Churches, and Organizations who have prayed & contributed financially for this event. Your financial support enabled us to fly out 37 participants from the different regions in Iraq. You also helped the 11 Palestinian participants to come to Jordan from the West Bank. We would have liked to have more candidates from the West bank & Gaza, but the security situation on the ground hindered their coming. Your gift also helped subsidize some of the material that the participants purchased during the conference, especially those coming from Iraq.

Final thanks to our friends and artists who offered their time and energy to come all the way to Jordan and teach us on how to reach children in more creative and effective ways. Please remember that your work is not in vain.

What next?
After Lebanon in 2004, and Jordan in 2006, this successful & vital
experience at Beyond Words will be repeated in another region of the
Middle East in the next year or two. We have received several invitations to move it to the Gulf in 2007 or early 2008, and even an invitation to organize it in the Northern parts of Iraq. Who knows? Our Lord can do great things. Let’s continue to pray for all those who have attended the conference in Jordan. That they may use what they have learned for the glory of God.