![A photo of one of the many baptisms in the Southern-Asia Pacific Division after use of the NAD's "Making Jesus my Best Friend" resource [Photo Courtesy of the North American Division]](https://images.hopesoftware.org/resize/L3c6MTkyMCxxOjc1L2hvcGUtaW1hZ2VzLzY1ZTcxMzAxZjY1NTI4MWE1MzhlZDM3My9Ma3MxNzEzODgwNDc0MzkyLnBuZw/w:1920,q:75/hope-images/65e71301f655281a538ed373/Lks1713880474392.png)
Through the leadership of Orathai Sorawin Paul, Southern Asia-Pacific Division Family Ministries Director, Family Ministries in the Southern-Asia Pacific Division (SSD) recently adopted the North American Division (NAD) Family Ministries' “Making Jesus My Best Friend” baptismal resource. After translating it into various languages in the SSD, the book is now being used in this sister division of the Adventist Church.
The book “Making Jesus My Best Friend” was authored by Claudio and Pamela Consuegra in 2005, during their pastoral ministry and consists of a series of studies aimed at preparing children ages 8-12 for baptism. Claudio and Pamela Consuegra, now Director and Associate Director of Family Ministries for the North American Division, noticed that there weren’t many resources geared towards young children although Ellen White says, "Children of eight, ten, or twelve years are old enough to be addressed on the subject of personal religion. Do not teach your children with reference to some future period when they shall be old enough to repent and believe the truth. If properly instructed, very young children may have correct views of their state as sinners and of the way of salvation through Christ.” (Child Guidance, page 490)
The book was initially used in the Consuegras’ own pastoral ministry until a parent suggested they contact a publisher so that it could be distributed on a larger scale. The Review and Herald Publishing Association agreed to publish the book and today it is available in local Adventist Book Centers, on https://adventistbookcenter.com, from AdventSource, and on Amazon.
Today, many children across the Southern Asia Pacific Division are giving their lives to Jesus and being baptized as a result.
“God has richly blessed and used this resource across the world. It is a reminder of how God can use our humble efforts and multiply their effectiveness in reaching souls for His kingdom,” shared the Consuegras. “It is also a reminder of how the North American Division makes an impact for the kingdom across the globe!”
This article was originally published on the North American Division’s news site