[{"id":16269,"order":0,"imagePath":"https://admin.ezystream.com/static/images/article/4ba47efc-2901-4238-ab94-7ca48063b421.png","type":"image","content":"https://admin.ezystream.com/static/images/article/4ba47efc-2901-4238-ab94-7ca48063b421.png"},{"id":16270,"order":1,"contentText":"Michelle Ritchie is the project manager for Arotahi (NZBMS). Her article has been reproduced from the Baptist Children and Family Ministries eConnect newsletter.
Nau mai, haere mai! Welcome to Whiria Kids!
At Arotahi (New Zealand Baptist Missionary Society), we believe that being woven together in mission is part of Godu2019s heart for each of us. No matter how young, we can all contribute; each prayer, expression of aroha (love), and small step is precious. Through our new childrenu2019s programme, Whiria Kids, we hope our tamariki can continue to see how they can be part of Godu2019s mahi.
But the Lord said to me, u201cDo not say, u2018I am too young.u2019 You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Jeremiah 1:7
Driven by local churchesu2019 childrenu2019s programmes and resourced through videos, projects, website content and information (fronted by some of our Baptist young adults), we hope to help inspire the next missional generation. Weu2019ll also provide resources online for at-home whu0101nau engagement.
What does Whiria mean?
Whiri u2013 verb u2013 plait, twist (a rope where the base and sides of a kete join)
Whiri u2013 noun u2013 a flock (of birds)
Whiria te tu0101ngata u2013 Weave the people together
Like a gathered flock of birds, we are individuals who are part of the whole family of Christ.
Weu2019ll have an emphasis on migrating birds from Aotearoa, New Zealand and other nations. For a season, these birds are in Aotearoa. They migrate for the winter and return to announce the new life of spring.
Ka tangi te wharauroa, ko ngu0101 ku0101rere u0101 Mahuru.
If the shining cuckoo cries, it is the messenger of spring.
Local and global missions are a natural rhythm u2013 each needs and feeds the other. We go and return like breathing in and out.
We began resourcing our Baptist childrenu2019s programmes in late April 2024.
You could use this material however you like in your local church; for part of your Sunday programme, your whole programme, or an intergenerational service u2013 itu2019s up to you!
We will focus on one country for two consecutive months. This time allows us to pray for specific u2018liveu2019 needs one month and give feedback the following month.
For 2024, Whiria Kids will focus on:
- Tripura from late April
- Aotearoa, New Zealand, in June & July u2013 including resources for Matariki
- Bangladesh in August & September
- Kolkata in October & November
Arotahi hopes to provide the following types of elements for each people & place:
- 2 music videos for each location u2013 one with local language content
- Prayer needs in the first month and prayer responses in month two
- Different ways of praying
- Information on people, place and culture
- Video of location and Arotahiu2019s work and workers (where security allows)
- A memory verse to learn
- Craft ideas u2013 that reinforce learning
- Recipes to try
- Family learning resources
- There will also be two projects you could be part of in 2024 u2013 a coin trail for supporting student hostels in Bangladesh in August, & encouragement to take part in Joyride later in the year - supporting kids in Kolkata.
Children can earn a unique badge each year for their involvement and commitment. Just let us know how many you need, and weu2019ll pop those in the post. Itu2019s up to you how your tamariki earn these, but we suggest:
- Attending a certain number of times per year
- Knowing the 4 Bible verses
- Contributing to a global project in some way
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, u201cWhom shall I send? And who will go for us?u201d And I said, u201cHere am I. Send me!u201d Isaiah 6:8
How to sign your church up to the programme and access resources
Email hello@arotahi.org.nz to request access to the church resources section of the Whiria Kids website.
You can read more about the vision for the Whiria Kids programme and how it came about in this article: From Ropeholders to Whiria Kids.
Image: Banner from the Whiria Kids website
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