Christian Publisher Offers Free Curriculum to Help Children in Distress
In light of the devastating tornado in Moore, Okla., Global Mission at David C Cook has made available a portion of its Children-at-Risk curriculum.
While war, genocide, human slavery, HIV/AIDS, trafficking, child soldiers, prostitution and grinding poverty are by and large issues impacting children in developing countries, natural disasters level the playing field of trauma. This week’s tornado in Moore, Okla., certainly constitutes as an event causing severe distress in children.
David C Cook’s God’s Peace, My Peace: Trusting God in Terrifying Times is now free for anyone parenting children—or any adult who loves kids.
“While it’s essential to meet the physical needs of those ravaged by this monster tornado, our ministry is primarily focused on the inner life of a child—the one wrestling with the emotional, spiritual and mental fallout,” explains Marlene LaFever, vice president of educational development in global mission at David C Cook.
“Soul care is a non-negotiable for children facing wounds so deep no man can touch them—situations so complex even adults strive to comprehend them,” she continues. “Most Christians don’t feel prepared to engage with children who’ve faced bone-crushing trauma. The good news is you don’t have to be a psychologist, doctor or even a pastor to use this this curriculum. It’s accessible to everyone.”
The activity on clinging to God in the midst of frightening circumstances accomplishes two purposes: 1) to help children trust God in confusing times; and 2) to give the Holy Spirit room to teach kids to replace fear with peace. The lesson is part of a whole-life discipleship program that prepares local church and lay leaders to deal with extreme trauma in children in developing countries.
The Children-at-Risk program now covers more than 10 million kids in many of the most war-torn, repressive and poverty-stricken countries in the world. Through curriculum customized for a particular region, children are healed from trauma—and undergirded to face future challenges.
This three-day-a-week, three-year program uses the latest in trauma research and best teaching practices to help adults foster spiritual formation and character development in and teach life skills to (everything from hand washing to spotting traffickers) kids. The work is carried out in alliance with hundreds of churches and organizations across the globe.
