In 1995, the General Conference (GC) Session for the Seventh-day Adventist Church was in Utrecht, the Netherlands. An administrator from Australia took the floor and proposed that the GC develop a separate department to nurture the faith of children.

“It was voted in and approved right there on the floor, and the global church was collectively shocked,” recalls Linda Koh, director of Children’s Ministries for the Seventh-day Adventist World Church. “It had never happened before that a proposal made on the floor was immediately voted into acceptance before its typical journey through several committees. I have no doubt God made it happen.”

Koh has a special place in her heart for young people, having been a teacher for more than two decades. From her home in Singapore she was called to serve in children’s ministries in the Southern Asia-Pacific Division in the Philippines, and for the last 17 years she has been directing the ministry at the Adventist World Headquarters in the U.S. state of Maryland. 

Koh points out that a lot of research has indicated that children build their faith long before they become teenagers. However, prior to 1995, faith development of the youth of the church wasn’t given priority until they reached their teen years.

“Children get overlooked a lot,” says Tanya Muganda, administrative assistant for Children’s Ministries at the GC. “If we don’t catch them when they’re young, we lose the opportunity to ground them in their faith. This ministry brings awareness to what children need: To be nurtured, uplifted, and empowered in all areas of life, but specifically their spiritual lives.”

Like Koh, Muganda harbors a deep passion for youth in the church. Her master’s degree in children and family ministries serves her well in this department, as she works closely with Koh to serve the church’s youngest. 

The Children’s Ministries Department develops a lot of print and digital resources for both children and children’s leaders at every level of the church. They provide Leadership Certification Training Courses to train leaders how to guide children on their journeys of faith.

But it’s not just about courses and pamphlets; Children’s Ministry representatives are also children’s advocates.

“We have special prayer days for children at risk,” Koh explains, “when we pray for orphans and those most vulnerable. We offer tools for our leaders, administrators, and members to deal with abuse, and push them to prioritize children in their churches.”

Though much of their work is centered on faith-building, Muganda acknowledges that an important part of that includes service to others.

“We encourage children to go out and serve in their communities,” she says. “They’re never too young to be a servant of God.”

In honor of the 25th anniversary of the Children’s Ministries Department, Koh and Muganda have put together a special book, “Kids’ Talents for Jesus,” filled with artwork and poems, all provided by children from around the world.

“It was good to show people not just adults talking about the kids, but showing them kids involved--that children are a part of the church, too, and they have something to offer,” Muganda says.

The book contains a timeline of the department over the last quarter of a century, highlighting milestones such as their first video for children, their first animations, and their first social media presence. A selection of children’s ministry activities from around the world are included in the book: health fairs, children preaching, and community service, including photos.

Each division was asked to send in 20 submissions from children within their territory, and a panel of three judges selected what would be printed in the book. The name of each child who sent something to be considered is listed in the back. Eighty-eight submissions were given space in the book, from all 13 divisions including the three attached fields of the church. Those printed included representation from Italy, Nigeria, The Philippines, Germany, Israel, Brazil, France, Thailand, China, and many, many more.

“It was amazing to see the talent of these young people,” Koh admits. “Each one whose work was published will be sent a copy, and electronic versions will be available free of charge for anyone who wants one.”

The last page in the book is a list developed by the Children’s Ministries director of the Inter-American Division: 25 Reasons Why We Should Have Children’s Ministries, each of them supported with scripture. 

“We want people to see and accept others for who they are--even if they’re young,” says Muganda. “We’re all part of the family of God, and we all have something special to bring to the table.”