Reaching Children for Christ

While teaching on evangelism at a church a few weeks ago, one woman asked if I witness to children. I explained that it would depend on the situation. Given the increasing fears of child abduction and human trafficking, one must use wisdom when approaching little kids. Whenever possible, I try to obtain their parents’ permission first. During outreaches, I often seek out high school students to talk to. Teens are mature enough to make their own decisions about Christ. They have reached what some refer to as “the age of accountability.”

There have been exceptions. One day, while living in a house in Minnesota, the doorbell kept ringing. I didn’t answer the door immediately because I was on the phone with my mother. A couple of minutes later, I went outside and found five young children playing by the side of the house. They wanted candy, but I correctly discerned I wasn’t supposed to give them any. Since they were on my property, I offered them something more important: eternal life. Three of the kids prayed to receive Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

Another time in Minnesota, while walking around my neighborhood, I noticed five boys playing touch football in a church parking lot. A thought crossed my mind that when their football landed near me, that would be a sign to share the gospel with them. Seconds later, the football bounced my way when one of the boys made a bad punt. However, I felt oppressed and wanted to be alone. But when I got home, God kept telling me to return and witness to them. So, I quickly put on my shoes and rushed to the parking lot where the boys were still playing. As I arrived, one of them scored a touchdown. I asked the boys to take a time out. All five got born again!

The photo included with this article was taken during an outreach in Virginia. A pastor I stayed with once gave away hot dogs in front of a thrift store where his church met. Four boys walking nearby came over when I hollered out, “Free hot dogs!” After giving the boys their food, the pastor’s wife nudged me to witness to them. All four held hands while praying without me asking them to. Food is good bait to eventually feed people the Bread of Life (John 6:35).

I’ve also been in low-income neighborhoods where children gathered around me as I began distributing gospel tracts (particularly the million dollar bills). If I notice adults nearby, I inform them that I’m talking to the kids about Jesus and usually witness to them as well. If an adult asks me to leave and there isn’t a consenting adult around, then I politely walk away.

However, there was one incident in Tampa, Florida when the Lord led me to take a stand. While walking from the library to the post office, there was a junior high school across the street. On my side of the street was a man along with seven students waiting at a corner. At first, I walked past the group, but then felt led to turn around and do my “survey technique” on them. First, I asked all eight where they would spend eternity when their lives ended. The man replied that he was a born-again Methodist minister. All seven kids thought they were going to heaven. When I asked them why, all of them gave answers suggesting that they weren't saved (“I go to church”, “I haven't done anything bad”, etc.). 

The minister then told me that I wasn't allowed to talk to the kids about religion. I pointed out that I was on a public sidewalk where my freedom of speech is protected by the First Amendment. The minister responded that as their chaperon he didn't approve of the questions I was asking. I then asked him, “Doesn't the Bible say that we are not to be ashamed of the gospel?”

The minister hesitated but then hinted at calling the police. Ignoring the threat, I continued witnessing to the students. By this time, three of them walked away. As I quoted Romans 10:9 to the four remaining students, three turned their backs toward me. The remaining boy still looked me in the eye. The minister didn't say another word as that boy prayed to get saved. The Lord led me back there to lead the one boy to salvation, plant seeds in the hearts of the other kids, and send a serious message to that minister. Jesus said in Mark 8:38, “For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.”

Another time in Tampa, my friend John and I felt led to witness to numerous children gathered at a park. So many kids prayed with us there that it was a challenge to keep an accurate count of salvations. Some were following us and praying again. When I stopped to use the bathroom, I heard one boy repeatedly say; “He’s in there.” When I returned outside, this boy who I had prayed with minutes before insisted I talk to “the coach.” He guided me to a middle-aged black man. After I led him in the prayer of salvation, I asked what his name was. He answered, “Billy Graham.” His father was a minister and named his son after the well-known evangelist (and my former employer).

Many parents teach their children religion but not about salvation through Jesus Christ. Some kids don’t even go to church! These young people won’t get saved until someone shares the gospel with them. Fortunately, there are ministries like Child Evangelism Fellowship and Metro World Child doing neighborhood outreaches to kids. But as Jesus in Matthew 9:37, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few.” I’m willing to be one. How about you?

“Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” 

- Proverbs 22:6