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Welcome to the first edition of World Vision's Christian Discipleship newsletter! We hope you will enjoy receiving these updates about our work. I can’t think of a better time to launch than during this season when we celebrate the birth of Jesus — the Light of the World. Through all of our work, we follow Jesus in spreading His light, to “shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16, NIV).

When I reflect on the past year and spend time in God’s Word reflecting on the birth of Christ, I’m reminded as well of the children I visit when I travel on behalf of World Vision. There is such a need for children around the world to encounter Jesus in a profound and life-changing way. Our work to reduce material poverty goes hand-in-hand with our work to overcome spiritual poverty. 

My hope for this newsletter is for you to experience a glimpse into the Christian Discipleship work, the children and families we serve and who you so generously support. In this first edition, we invite you to join us in prayer for this life-changing work.

Torrey Olsen
Director, Faith & Development

Please join us in prayer for children

In the next five years, World Vision has a plan to expand our work to engage at least 5 million people in activities that strengthen the Christian faith of children and youth. 

There are five main areas in which we help children experience the love of God

1) At home and school: We equip parents and caregivers to provide a safe and caring environment.

Please pray that we can equip parents, caregivers, and teachers to provide a safe and caring environment for children’s spiritual growth that reflects Christian values.

2) At church: We empower and mobilize churches to help children grow in their faith.

Churches are our indispensable partners in God’s mission. World Vision has developed a global network of partnerships with more than 14,661 local churches.

World Vision trains tens of thousands of faith leaders every year to equip them to minister to the spiritual and physical needs of children and their communities. We help to strengthen local leadership and equip them with practical programs and tools for ministry, including children’s ministry.

Please join us in prayer for these churches and their ability to impact children.

3) In after-school programs: We enable children to grow in their awareness, knowledge, and experience of Jesus. 

Nearly 3.5 million children and youth participate in World Vision discipleship and values education. After-school programs include Vacation Bible Schools, Bible clubs, church-based camps, and school-based biblical values formation. These programs keep children engaged in positive activities, equip them to make healthy choices, help improve their relationships, and nurture their faith in God.

Please pray for after-school programs.

4) In ministry: We equip youth to explore God’s purpose for their lives and live out their faith by mentoring children and peers.

World Vision provides leadership training for youth to grow and give back to their community and to other children. As children grow in their faith convictions, they become ambassadors for Christ in their communities.

Please lift up leadership training for youth in prayer.

5) In God’s Word: We provide Bibles to churches and families.

When struggling to make ends meet, buying a Bible is out of the question, so children and adults rely on teachings from local church leaders to guide their faith. They don’t have an opportunity to study God’s Word for themselves or deepen their understanding of how to live Christ-like lives. Many ministry leaders don’t even have their own Bible to use for study or preaching.

Please pray for Bibles to reach the hands of those who need them the most.

Prayer Requests from the field

from World Vision Staff in Kenya

D200-0754-364 (1)

  • Pray that God will continue to inspire, guard and strengthen the staff and their families in all of the places where they give their time and energy to serve.

  • Pray for the 37,005 children and 2,021 pastors and Christian leaders who are directly involved in Christian Discipleship work in Kenya. Please pray that these children will be a source of inspiration to their siblings and a voice of hope to their parents.

  • Please pray that the 436 church leaders enrolled in the development and theology training being offered through Scott Christian University will continue applying what they have learned.

Want to find out more about World Vision’s Christian Discipleship work?

Visit our webpage

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World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families, and their
communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice.
In 2017, 85 percent of World Vision's total operating expenses were used for programs that benefit children,
families, and communities in need. Learn More.