A Boy Named Van

"I like to help people." That was the simple, straightforward answer I received when I asked one of our children how they felt about giving an offering to the Lord. With that statement, our ministry began to pray about how we at Willow Creek Church's Children's Ministry should use our offering to bring God glory and also "help people."

We at WCC believe that it is important to teach our children very young the importance of offering our time, talent, and treasure to the Lord.

It is commanded: Psalm 96:8- Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering, and come into his courts!

God promises to bless those who do: Malachi 3:10- Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.

God uses our tithe and loves those who give: 2nd Corinthians 9:7- Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

But most importantly, we are to give as our act of worship because we have received so much from the Lord! So we decided to do for one what we wish we could do for all.

"One Child," a ministry of Mission to the World, is designed to bring church's or individuals together to sponsor a child from across the world, supplying finances so a child may go to school, wear proper clothing, eat daily meals, and study the Bible.

Van Nun Lian Charang, or "Van" is our sponsored child. Van is 6 years old, the same age as many of our children. Van loves to play football, his favorite subject is Bible, and is one of 6 children. Van is just like us. Van is loved by God.

Van also lives in Bangladesh, a country east of India, and education in Bangladesh is not free. If not for the "One Child" ministry, Van would be working in a field rather than attending school. Again, a child, just like ours, loved by God, needing to experience our Savior's love.

Our children may right now only give because they want to "help people." But regardless of the motivation, we at WCC Children's Ministry are committed to honoring God with our time, talent, and treasure. It is because God has loved us, that we are able to love others. Won't you consider doing for one what you wish you could do for all?

-Drew Taylor
WCC Director of Children's Ministry