icst 500 upg belize - rhodes
TRANSCRIPT
LIBERTY UNIVERSITY
UNREACHED PEOPLE GROUPS: THE CHILDREN AND YOUTH OF BELIZE
A PAPER SUBMITTED TO DR. DESMOND J. (JIM) O’NEILL
IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR
THE COURSE ICST 500
LIBERTY THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY
BY
DAVID W. RHODES
LIBERTY ID L22933379
FLORENCE, SC
Friday, December 18, 2009
SITUATION BELIZE:
REACHING
AN
UNLIKELY
UNREACHED PEOPLE
GROUP…THE CHILDREN!
BY
DAVID W. RHODES
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1
PART 1: BACKGROUND INFORMATION
OVERVIEW------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1
HISTORY--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2
ECONOMY------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3
EDUCATION----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3
PEOPLE AND CULTURE-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5
SOCIAL DYNAMICS------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6
RELIGION ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7
ISSUES AND CONCERNS------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 8
PART 2: SURVEY OF MISSION WORK
CURRENT STATUS OF THE CHURCH--------------------------------------------------------------
9
MISSION ORGANIZATIONS IN BELIZE----------------------------------------------------------- 11
iii
ISSUES WITH SHORT TERM MISSIONS----------------------------------------------------------
13
DOMESTIC DENOMINATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS------------------------------------------ 14
PART 3: PROPOSED STRATEGY
PROPOSED STRATEGY OVERVIEW-------------------------------------------------------------- 15
CHILDREN AND YOUTH MINISTRY IN THE SCHOOLS------------------------------------ 16
CHILDREN AND YOUTH MINISTRY IN THE SCHOOLS ----------------------------------- 17
FUNDING THE PROGRAMS------------------------------------------------------------------------- 18
CHILDREN AND YOUTH MINISTRY IN THE SCHOOLS ----------------------------------- 19
CONCLUSION ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 20
iv
INTRODUCTION
Belize is an extremely small third world country in Central America that is blessed with
amazing natural beauty, and is rich with ethnic and cultural diversity. Belize is without question
a country of children, with over 50% of the population under the age of eighteen and increasing
significantly each year. It has often been said that Christianity in Belize can be summarized as
being “a mile wide and a half inch deep”. Lacking the presence of any viable, sustainable, and
organized Children and Youth Ministry programs, the children and youth of Belize are a lost
people group that are not being effectively reached in a systemic manner with the Good News
and salvation of Jesus Christ. The information in this report will provide the history and
background necessary to understand the need and foundation for a radically new approach that
will reach and save an entire country and generation.
PART 1: BACKGROUND INFORMATION
OVERVIEW
Belize, formerly known as British Honduras, is located in the southern portion of the
Yucatán Peninsula in Central America; it borders Mexico to the north and Guatemala to the west
and south and faces the Caribbean Sea to the east. Belize is very unique in that it is
geographically part of both the Central American and Caribbean sub-regions of the Americas.1
The coast is low-lying with swamps, mangroves, lagoons, and sandy beaches. The Maya
mountain range lies to the west and south in the country, rising to over 3,000 feet at some peaks.
While Spanish and other local languages are spoken, Belize is the only country in Central
America where English is the official language.
1 ? Atlas of Belize (Cubola Productions: 29th Revised Ed. 2006), 6.
1
With a total population just over 307,000 (2009 estimate) the population density is lowest
in Central America along with one of the lowest in the world.2 This is destined to change in the
future as Belize has the highest population growth rate in Central America at 2.21%. This is also
one of the overall highest rates in the western hemisphere.3 This escalating growth rate is a
significant factor to be understood in the context of this paper.
HISTORY
Belize was historically dominated by the Mayans and was their center of the great empire
for the better part of a thousand years. The Spanish arrived in the 16th century and used the area
primarily for logging. During the next two hundred years, many British and Spanish pirates
inhabited the area, battling for naval supremacy. Finally in 1798, the British navy defeated the
Spanish and laid official claim to the area. In 1862, Britain formally named the territory “British
Honduras,” a title that lasted until 1981 when a peaceful independence was granted and British
Honduras became Belize.
2 ? CIA World Factbook. [Home page on-line];available from www.cia.gov/library/publications/ the-world-factbook/geos/bh.html3 ? Ibid.
2
ECONOMY
Belize has a very small economy of just $2.5 billion, ranking them 178 th in the world. It is
comprised of agriculture exports (bananas, citrus and sugarcane), aquaculture exports (shrimp)
and tourism which is the largest aspect.4 Gross domestic product growth had been averaging a
healthy and modest 4% prior to the recent global downturn in 2008. There continues to be major
concerns with Belize’s large trade deficit and completely unrealistic 70% foreign debt ratio. The
United States is the largest trading partner, with almost 40% of all imports coming from them. A
key and important short term strategy is to improve the poverty situation by means of foreign
donors and charitable organizations.5
EDUCATION
The Belizean public school system is best described as a loose conglomeration of
education subsystems. The government system is founded on the British education system and is
grouped into three levels: primary, secondary, and tertiary. Belizean children begin their eight
years of government funded primary education with two years of "infant" classes (infant one and
infant two), followed by six "standards” (standard one, standard two and so on). Secondary
education, which is not offered by the government as a free service, is divided into four "forms”
(first form and so on). Less than one third of students go on to any level of secondary
schooling.6 This factor plays a significant role in the long term strategy outlined in this report.
Primary schools are predominately built, maintained, and staffed (70% of salaries paid by
the state) by religious institutions, with the overwhelming majority having been established by
4 ? Ibid.5 ? Ibid.6 ? Belize Lifecycles, World Trade Press, 3.
3
the Catholic Church in the 40’s, 50’s, and 60’s. Of the almost 300 local village schools, over
90% of the enrollment is accounted for by denominational run organizations.7 Schools are very
simplistic and basic in structure, with either block and mortar or wood lapboard construction.
Most of the primary schools would be condemned by American standards.
Pre-schools have also begun to take hold in part by the individual strategies of domestic
Christian organizations. Of the approximate 100 pre-schools in operation, only 5 are government
owned, with the remaining being church and community owned and managed.8 Most pre-
schools focus on two and three year olds and charge modest enrollment fees.
A joint partnership of church and state continues to manage the overall school system.
The Belizean state continues to lack control over virtually all levels and aspects of education. It
is recognized that foreign institutions continue to supply the majority of funding for maintenance
and expansion of formal education. These institutions provide financing, staffing, curriculum,
planning, and higher education. As the demand for education outpaced the capacities of the
churches, interdenominational cooperation grew and the state assumed a more central role. Still,
denominational representatives retain considerable influence on the managing boards of private,
nondenominational institutions.
In one of the most ironic situations ever witnessed, these “religious” schools in most
cases do not have any consistent or organized religion teachings. The Belize constitution clearly
stipulates that religious communities may establish "places of education" and states that "no such
community shall be prevented from providing religious instruction for persons of that
community." Although there is no state religion, the educational system maintains by statute a
strong religious curriculum. The curriculum ties "spirituality" with social studies courses. It
7 ? J. Alexander Bennett, Education in Belize (Belize City: The Angelus Press, 2008), 190.8 ? Bennett, Education in Belize, 136.
4
requires in both public and private schools that students from kindergarten through sixth grade
receive 220 minutes of religious instruction and chapel every week, but school exit exams do not
have a section on religion.9 The sad reality is that religion is not being taught at religious
schools. That approximately 85% of the primary school age children are enrolled in school,
gives an indication that there is a strong demand for education. It is unfortunate that it has been
estimated that at least 46% of the children enrolled in primary school never complete the eight
years of schooling in the set time.10
PEOPLE AND CULTURE
Belize is the most sparsely populated nation in Central America. Slightly more than half
of the population lives in rural areas in over 600 small villages. About 25% of the total
population lives in Belize City. Belize City this is the principal port, commercial center, former
capital and the largest city in the country. A staggering 40% of the population is comprised of
persons younger than 14 years of age, and is growing at an alarming rate. Moreover, 51% are
under the age of 18, while only a mere 5% of the population is reported over the age of 60. 11
Most Belizeans are of multiracial descent. Roughly 50% of the population is of mixed
Mayan and European descent (Mestizo); 30% are of African and Afro-European (Creole)
ancestry; about 10.0% are Mayan; and about 5% are Afro-Amerindian (Garifuna).12 The
remainder includes European, East Indian, Chinese, Middle Eastern, and North American
9 ? Belize-International Religious Freedom Report 2006, Released by the United States Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor10 ? UNESCO Country Reports, [Home page on-line];available from http://www.unesco.org/education/wef/countryreports/belize/rapport_2_4.htm11 ?CIA World Factbook. [Home page on-line];available from www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/bh.html 12 ? Ibid.
5
groups. English, the official language of Belize, is spoken by virtually all except the Honduran
and Guatemalan refugees who arrived during the past decade. Spanish is the native tongue of
about 50% of the people and is spoken as a second language by another 20%.13 The various
Mayan groups still speak their indigenous languages, and an English-Creole dialect similar to the
Creole dialects of the English-speaking Caribbean Islands is spoken by most. Each people group
has very distinct social and cultural traditions. However, they all share a love for large families
and generally have a casual disregard for legally binding marital relations, which has led to a
total collapse of the traditional family structure. This structural collapse has continued to fuel the
population explosion which is spiraling out of control.
SOCIAL DYNAMICS
Belize by virtually any definition is a third world country, yet dramatic change and
progress has taken place over the past three decades. The country has adopted with popular
support, the practices and ideologies of development and consumerism. The rapid growth of
educational opportunities at the secondary level along with exponential government employment
growth has created a sizable middle-class that did not exist a decade ago.
Not all of the recent growth and changes have been positive. Many have noted the
breakdown of traditional notions of authority, respect, and propriety and the obsessive
fascination of Belizean youth with North American material culture. Many blame mass
emigration for the dissolution of the Belizean family and the subsequent rise in juvenile
delinquency and crime. Emigration to metropolitan countries such as the United States is a
serious issue as those with the highest education and the most ambition are the ones leaving.
Compounding this issue is the immigration of uneducated and poor migrant workers from
13 ? Ibid.
6
neighboring countries. Like other developing nations, Belize continues to face the ongoing
challenge of balancing the expanding needs and desires of a rapidly growing population at a time
when the country possesses limited natural, financial, and human resources.
RELIGION
Christianity is the predominant religion of Belize, and nearly 60 percent of Belizeans
reportedly belong to the Roman Catholic denomination. However, due to the heavy British
influence, Belize has a larger Protestant population than any other country in Central America.14
Other significant denominations include Anglicans, Pentecostals, Baptists, Methodists, Seventh-
Day Adventists, Jehovah's Witnesses, and Mennonites. The Maya and Garifuna practice their
own fascinating mixture of shamanism and Christianity. A minority of Hindus, Buddhists,
Baha’is, Muslims, Rastafarians, and Mormons are also present in the religious makeup of Belize.
Interestingly, as Belize was a British colony for such a long time, there has been very
little Anglican influence. The Constitution of Belize guarantees freedom of religion to all its
citizens making religion-based discrimination illegal. Despite the legally secular nature of the
state, the Governor General is required to appoint one member of the 13-seat Senate as directed
by the multi-denominational Belize Council of Churches and the Evangelical Association of
Churches.
Interaction between churches, and religious organizations, and the Belizean government
has always been informal, yet recognizably powerful. For decades, the Catholic Church
overwhelmingly dominated the political landscape.15 Schools have been a key element in this
influence. Church run schools, once again mostly built and maintained by Catholics, have been
14 ? Adventure life .com, Home page on-line];available from, www.adventurelife.com15 ? Tim Merrill, ed. Belize: A Country Study (Washington: GPO for the Library of Congress, 1992)
7
in Belize since the early colonial era. While there has been some recent political softening, both
major political parties continued to endorse the church-state partnership in education. This
partnership places most primary and secondary schools under church control along with
governmental “oversight” and funding (70% of teacher salaries).
ISSUES AND CONCERNS
The overall quality of life in Belize pales in comparison to that of the United States. The
annual per capita income in Belize is approximately one-sixth of the U.S. average, and infant
mortality rate is almost five times as high. All of the general indicators for income and infant
mortality fall well below the averages for other Central American countries.16 As measured by
the United Nations Human Development Index, quality of life in Belize is also well below the
majority of the English-speaking Caribbean and in the entire Western Hemisphere, Belize ranks
above only Bolivia and Haiti–the two poorest countries in terms of access to adequate sanitation
(mainly meaning toilets). Only 25 percent of the rural population has access to adequate
sanitation; those without are at high risk of serious and often deadly diseases.17 Moreover, these
national indicators hide wide regional disparities.
Additionally, the underreporting of infant deaths in rural areas led the World Health
Organization to classify Belize's morbidity and mortality statistics as unreliable.18 This official
declaration from the World Health Organization is of significant importance to this report when
it comes to understanding the overall reporting of statistics within the country. Finally, one of
the most serious and underestimated issues is that of alcohol abuse among men. This is the
16 ? CIA World Factbook. [Home page on-line];available fromwww.cia.gov/library/publications/ the-world-factbook/geos/bh.html17 ? UNESCO Country Reports, [Home page on-line];available from http://www.unesco.org/education/wef/countryreports/belize/rapport_2_4.htm18 ? World Heath Organization: [Home page on-line];available from www.who.int/countrystudies/us/belize
8
leading cause of abuse and malnourishment of women and children, and is a widespread problem
that is in need of serious and immediate attention.
PART 2: SURVEY OF MISSIONS WORK
CURRENT STATUS OF THE CHURCH
Of the country's nine major religious groups, the Roman Catholics are the largest, with
more than three in five Belizeans claiming to be followers. Baptist, Anglicans, and Methodists
make up the largest Protestant denominations, although they have recently been losing some
ground to fundamentalist and evangelical sects, such as the Pentecostalists and Seventh-Day
Adventists. The overwhelming majority of local pastors, regardless of denomination are bi-
vocational and do not possess any significant theological training. A random sampling of church
attendance on any given Sunday would reveal a very small percentage of the “reported” believers
in actual attendance. The typical congregation is composed mainly of middle age and older
women, along with a few young couples with infants and small children. There is a noticeable
absence of children, youth and men.
During the past thirty years, missionary activities by evangelical and fundamentalist
denominations and sects, including the Mormons, Seventh-Day Adventists, and Jehovah's
Witnesses, have been changing the religious landscape in Belize. These groups are viewed as
being politically conservative with negligible political impact at the national level as compared
to the historical involvement of the Catholic Church. In contrast, these groups have been very
effective at the local level and have filled the void created by the significant retreat of the
Catholic Church in local villages. Unfortunately, with the proliferation of denominations and
9
sects, many of which have been hostile to one another and especially to the Roman Catholic
Church, they could be undermining the sense of common identity within the local communities.
Official census categories have greatly oversimplified religious identity in Belize. Some
syncretic beliefs and practices could not be easily categorized and therefore were simply
consolidated. An example of this is with the Garifuna. While they might be considered
“nominally” Catholic, they continued to uphold their traditional beliefs and practices, such as the
dugu ritual, through which they honored their ancestors and perpetuated their distinctive cultural
identity. The Catholicism of many Maya was similarly inflected with aspects of their own
cultural traditions. Another example is with the Creoles and their belief in obeah, or witchcraft
particularly among the older generations of the urban and rural poor.19 Table 1 from the
International Mission Board (IMB) details the various Belizean People Groups.
People Groups
Global Status of Evangelical Christianity Population Language Religion Resources
Belizean Creole 5 108,628Belize Kriol English - (bzj) Christianity - Other / Marginal 0
British 1 1,321 English - (eng) Christianity – Protestant 5
Low German 1 7,658 Plautdietsch - (pdt) Christianity – Protestant 5
Arab, Syrian 1 131North Levantine Arabic - (apc) Islam 3
Han Chinese, Mandrin 1 2,060
Mandarin Chinese - (cmn) Buddhism 5
Black Carib 1 18,090 Garifuna - (cab)Other Religions - Ethno-Religion 3
Itza 1 18,200 Itzá - (itz) Christianity - Roman Catholic 1
Kekchi 1 11,884 Kekchí - (kek) Christianity - Roman Catholic 4
Mestizo 5 159,241 Spanish - (spa) Christianity - Other / Marginal 5
Mopan Maya 1 15,000 Mopán Maya - (mop) Christianity - Other / Marginal 2
Yucatec 1 4,100 Yucateco - (yua) Christianity - Other / Marginal 3
Deaf Belizean 0 1,531Language Unknown - (xxx)
Other Religions - Ethno-Religion
12 People Groups 347,844
TABLE 1
19 ? Tim Merrill, ed. Belize: A Country Study (Washington: GPO for the Library of Congress, 1992)
10
Specifically identified by the IMB in TABLE 2 are almost 80,000 unengaged and
unreached people groups as it pertains to church planting.
Country People Groups
Global Status of Evangelical Christianity Population Religion Resources
Belize Arab, Syrian 1 131 Islam 3
Belize Black Carib 1 18,090Other Religions - Ethno-Religion 3
Belize British 1 1,321 Christianity – Protestant 5
Belize Deaf Belizean 0 1,531Other Religions - Ethno-Religion
BelizeHan Chinese, Mandrin 1 2,060 Buddhism 5
Belize Itza 1 18,200 Christianity - Roman Catholic 1
Belize Kekchi 1 11,884 Christianity - Roman Catholic 4
Belize Low German 1 7,658 Christianity – Protestant 5
Belize Mopan Maya 1 15,000 Christianity - Other / Marginal 2
Belize Yucatec 1 4,100 Christianity - Other / Marginal 3
10 People Groups 79,975 TABLE 2
MISSION ORGANIZATIONS IN BELIZE
Mission organizations, independent missionaries and short term mission team travel
coordinators have been a consistent part of the Belizean landscape for more than 50 years. The
most recent figures report 123 missionaries to Belize from 31 agencies with 75% of these
coming from the United States.20 Below in TABLE 3 is a listing of organizations that presently
have, or at some point had, missionaries in service. A survey of these 21 sites revealed that only
60% have an active presence. Most noticeably missing from this list is the Southern Baptist
Convention’s International Mission Board (IMB). Research from the IMB website revealed the
last significant activity in Belize was in 2001. Attempts to reach IMB for comments and reasons
for withdrawal have been unsuccessful.
Size
20 ? Operation World: [Home page on-line];available from http://www.operationworld.org/country/beli/owtext.html#MT
11
Country Level Ministries
Amazon Focus SmallAvant Ministries MediumBaptist General Conference, International Ministries MediumBaptist International Outreach MediumCalvary Commission MediumCenters for Apologetics Research SmallChurch of God, Anderson, Indiana MediumCongregational Methodist Church SmallEquip, Incorporated MediumFriends United Meeting - Global Ministries SmallGlobal Outreach International MediumGlobal Outreach Mission MediumHope for the Hungry MediumInternational Pentecostal Holiness Church MediumInto All The World SmallLifeWind MediumMissionary Ventures International MediumMissions Door MediumPentecostal Church of God World Missions SmallSTEM International SmallTeen Missions International Medium
Ministries Listed for Belize: 21
TABLE 3
Under the country’s revised Immigration and Nationality Act, foreign religious workers
are permitted to enter the country and proselytize; however, they must be registered and purchase
a religious worker’s permit. The yearly fee is modest. There is a steady stream of religious
workers and missionaries from the United States. In addition to preaching, these visitors are
involved in building and renovating schools and churches, providing free medical and dental
care, and distributing donated food, clothing, and home fixtures.21
Summarizing the primary goals and objectives of previous and current mission ministries
is a very challenging task given the wide variety of evangelical opportunities throughout Belize.
Personal interviews and conversations with present day missionaries on the ground in Belize
over 15 trips and a five year time span reveal three key summary areas. First, missionaries tend
to be very much generalists in a confined geography, usually a small village, of which they are
21 ? Annual Report on Religious Affairs by the Committee of Foreign Affairs, US Government Printing Office, Washington, 2005.
12
very effective and protective. Second, they prefer to work independently and autonomously and
often are unaware of other missionary activity in the region. Finally, they do not have, or work
from, a specific or detailed strategy and are generally unintentional in their approach. These
generalizations do not to imply any level of ineffectiveness, but merely show the present state of
activity.
ISSUES WITH SHORT TERM MISSIONS
With the explosion in the number of short term mission teams (STM’s) coming annually
to Belize from the US and Canada, serious issues have begun to emerge. At the core of the
problem, many STM’s are lacking a well coordinated strategy that is carried out and aligned with
local missionaries and churches. While these groups are comprised of wonderful God loving and
well meaning Christians, the potential long term damage far outweighs the short term benefits if
not properly managed. If the primary purpose or goal of the short term team is to disciple
believers instead of the lost, then we have moved away from missio Dei (mission of God) to
“missio me”.22
STM’s in Belize have so overdone the VBS and salvation process that when children in
some of the more “popular” villages are asked if they have been saved, they respond “oh yes, I
have been saved ten times!” Upon closer examination, it is evident they do not have a true
understanding of sin, salvation or Jesus. They simply have learned that if they raise their hand
when asked if anyone would like to ask Jesus into their hearts, they might get something “extra”
in the way of candy or a gift. This is not to say there are very legitimate times when STM
members actually do lead a child to Christ, but if done without the presence of a local pastor or
22 ? Ralph Winter and Steven Hawthorne, Perspectives On the World Christian Movement (Carlisle: Paternoster Press, 2009), 754.
13
missionary to follow up, how is the child to grow and mature in their new faith? Operation
World reports there is abundant evangelism in Belize, but very few converts in the churches due
to poor follow-up.23 Another serious, but usually unintentional, problem is that of “promises”
that are made by STM members that are not fulfilled. So many of the children have become
hardened due to the disappointment they experience of unmet promises time and time again.
DOMESTIC DENOMINATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
Several significant, local Belizean denominational organizations have emerged over the
past ten years. These include the Baptist Association of Belize, Belize Assemblies of God, and
Anglican Diocese of Belize. These domestic organizations were formed with the assistance of
larger international denominational groups to promote standardization and denominational unity
throughout the country. National leadership has been put into each of these organizations and
they manage themselves in an autonomous manner, while still subscribing to the fundamental
doctrinal beliefs of the base denomination.
As these organizations continue to mature and develop fresh young leadership, they could
potentially be the catalyst to rejuvenate domestic growth. They have the unique ability to be able
to look across the collective membership of churches and develop programs and assistance that
will benefit all with scope and economies of scale that would not be possible at the single unit
level. Potential examples of this include continued education and training for pastors and lay
staff, specific ministry programs for youth/children and other special interest groups, along with
establishing long term partnerships with internationally based mission groups.
PART 3: PROPOSED STRATEGY
23 ? Operation World: [Home page on-line];available fromhttp://www.operationworld.org/country/beli/owtext.html#2b-1
14
PROPOSED STRATEGY OVERVIEW
Based on the facts, history and current situation previously presented, in order to
fundamentally evoke lasting, systemic change and to truly make disciples, as we are called to do
in the great commission, a totally different approach is required. Belize is uniquely a country of
children and youth and the opportunity is available to have a focused strategy on this non-
traditional “people group”. The very basic issue to be solved is that over half of the population is
children, yet there are no wide spread, organized, or effective children or youth ministry
programs in the country.
This great task will be accomplished by building upon the foundation that has been put
into place by the preceding generations of missionaries and by working with and along side of
current missionaries, churches, and Christian organizations. The two key aspects of this strategy
include taking full advantage of the existing church-state relationship on education and re-
defining the utilization of short term missions.
First, by leveraging and building upon the present infrastructure of schools, churches and
missionaries, we will introduce biblically based “religious” curriculum into the local village
schools in partnership with the local village church. By fully utilizing the Belizean constitution
that mandates “students from kindergarten through sixth grade receive 220 minutes of religious
instruction and chapel every week”24, and implementing a coordinated and effective children and
youth ministry program in the church, we will be able to dramatically increase church attendance
and participation. Excited children and youth will then lead adults to attend church where the
entire family unit can be “both recipients as well as the agents of salvation blessing”.25 Winning
24 ? Belize-International Religious Freedom Report 2006, Released by the United States Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor.25 ? Ralph Winter and Steven Hawthorne, Perspectives On the World Christian Movement (Carlisle: Paternoster Press, 2009), 655.
15
family units to Christ provides an unequalled avenue for swift and exponential growth of
believers and disciples.
The second major aspect of this strategy will involve the utilization of short term
missions in a completely different manner than the present day or previous mission efforts.
Visiting short term missions will be predominately comprised of Christian families to include the
children and youth. These families and individuals will be strongly encouraged to maintain an
on-going relationship via return trips, sponsorship, mail, phone calls and prayer. This
demonstrates to the Belizean people how a God honoring family structure lives for His glory.
CHILDREN AND YOUTH MINISTRY IN THE SCHOOLS
We will provide ministry leadership and oversight via both direct involvement and by
working with local churches and organizations, schools and local
missionaries in Belize. We will implement a sustainable, energetic, high impact curriculum and
ministry that is biblically based throughout the school system of Belize. This creative ministry
approach is geared towards children, yet is also suitable and enjoyable for adults and families.
The design and implementation will be adaptable, flexible, and scalable to meet the individual
and local needs of any size ministry (church or school) in any of the six regions of the country.
The concept begins at the local village level where the infrastructure of existing schools
and churches are in place and can be utilized immediately. The village partnership between the
school and church are at the very foundation of this mission. Critical resources such as laptop
computers, media projection and sound equipment, curriculum and supplies, all of which will
have to be supplied, will be shared between the school and church, with the local pastor or
missionary being accountable. Both initial and ongoing training and development of local
16
Belizean leaders is an absolute necessity for long term success. As the program expands
geographically, the need for area, regional, and national coordinators will be required. Where
practical, we will partner with US based bible colleges and seminary intern programs to help
facilitate the training and development of local coordinators.
As Glenn Schwartz has stated, “the well-intended generosity of Christians often backfires
by creating dependency. We can learn valuable lessons from the past failings of misguided
kindness”.26 From the very beginning, this ministry belongs to the local people of Belize. As
outsiders, we are merely servants to assist the Belizean people and must be extremely careful not
to create an atmosphere of dependency. Additionally, we certainly do not want them to become
like us, but rather “to be like Jesus in their own culture”.27
The initial program begins in the school with both a large group “assembly/chapel” time
and individual class small group time. The weekly assembly/chapel time includes modern praise
and worship and multimedia presentations that surround a monthly “virtue” theme. The small
group class time continues to follow the monthly virtue in more detail. The materials and
lessons are prepared in advance by a local coordinator so as to not burden the teachers. This
practice allows for greater teacher adoption and will facilitate a uniform and consistent message.
CHILDREN AND YOUTH MINISTRY IN THE CHURCHES
As earlier stated, there are no wide spread, organized or systemically effective children or
youth ministry programs in the churches of Belize. This fact has been confirmed through
personal visits and discussions with many local pastors, missionaries and denominational
organizations and is viewed as an area that is in desperate need of immediate assistance. The
26 ? Ralph Winter and Steven Hawthorne, Perspectives On the World Christian Movement (Carlisle: Paternoster Press, 2009), 657.27 ? Will McRaney, The Art of Personal Evangelism (Nashville: Broadman and Holman, 2003), 157.
17
local village church will be synchronized with the school on a weekly basis in teaching the
monthly virtue. The program will be flexible and adaptable to meet the needs and schedule of
the local church. Some churches will be able to incorporate directly into the Sunday morning
service, while others might need to use a mid-week service approach. The design and intent of
the energetic and engaging ministry program is to draw into the church from the school, children
and youth that would not normally attend. As the materials are suitable and enjoyable for adults,
the hope is that through the children, the entire family will attend church.
FUNDING THE PROGRAMS
Funding of any program in Belize is a major concern. The government is broke, over one
third of the population live below the basic $2,000/year poverty line, and the average citizen
makes just $6,000 a year.28 While the future desired state will be for these programs to not be
dependent on outside funding, the immediate reality is initial funding must come from the U.S.
A recent survey of children and youth pastors in the US revealed a significant desire to find a
way to engage children and youth in international missions at an earlier age in an ongoing
manner.
The Kidz Change Can Change Kidz (www.kidzkonnect4jesus.org) program provides a
ministry opportunity for children’s small groups in US churches to have a consistent focus and
impact on missions and on other kids. The first Sunday of each month kids will bring their
change to small group and drop it into a Kidz Konnect 4 Jesus "change can". Each sponsoring
U.S. church is partnered with a specific Belizean church, or school, or both. The change cans
permit the allocation of computers, projectors, large screens, curriculum, training, and supplies
for each ministry. Change cans, envelopes, and all supplies needed to implement this vital
28 ? Shelter Offshore: http://www.shelteroffshore.com/index.php/living/more/cost_of_living_in_belize/
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ministry are provided to the sponsoring church at no cost. The ratio of sponsor churches to local
Belizean churches will be individually assessed based on the size of both. This allows for even
the smallest churches to play an important role in supporting missions in a direct fashion with
personal attachment.
FAMILY MISSION IMPACT JOURNEYS
Family Mission Impact Journeys are “short term” mission opportunities for families that
last a lifetime. The only short term aspect of this style of mission is the actual time spent in
Belize. The term “journey” is intentionally and strategically used in place of “trip” or “team”.
While these latter terms are frequently used when describing short term mission, they can imply
an “experience” to build participants as growing disciples. While the discipling of short-term
members is a good and wonderful benefit for the individual, the main focus needs to be on the
long term mission of God.29
It is clearly stated in the Bible that families and households were used as outposts of
evangelism, and that families and children are called to be on mission.30 The apostolic patterns
and process for teaching was in and through family units (Acts 20:20). Belize is an English
speaking country that is easily and affordably traveled to in just a few hours by air. Families will
be assigned to specific villages where American and Belizean families develop lasting
relationships that will encourage and provide opportunities for them to do life together.
Belize has much to offer in the way of relaxation and fun, while being extremely
affordable. Families will find an ideal balance of evangelism, ministering, fun, and relaxation.
29 ? Ralph Winter and Steven Hawthorne, Perspectives On the World Christian Movement (Carlisle: Paternoster Press, 2009), 754.30 ? Ibid., 656.
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The concept of combining Kingdom mission work with a family “vacation” will be very
appealing to many who have limited time and resources.
CONCLUSION
The future of Belize clearly rests with the current generation of children and youth. The
overwhelming social issues and domestic problems can only be overcome by effectively
evangelizing and winning these lost souls to Christ. The circle of hope and change begins as
they collectively become solid Christian citizens, then they can individually impact change to
eliminate most of the issues they presently face. By pulling together the resources God has
blessed us with, this mission and ministry will provide hope and opportunity to the youth of
Belize through a rock solid Christian foundation! May the church continue to find its role in
bringing the true missio dei, the dream of God, closer to reality and into the Eschatological
Now.31
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Adventure life .com, Home page on-line; available from www.adventurelife.com.
31 ? David. J. Bosch, Transforming Mission: Paradigm Shifts in Theology of Mission, (Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 1991), 509.
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Annual Report on Religious Affairs by the Committee of Foreign Affairs, Washington: US Government Printing Office, 2005.
Atlas of Belize. Cubola Productions: 29th Revised Ed. 2006.
Belize-International Religious Freedom Report 2006, Released by the United States Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor.
Belize Lifecycles, Petaluma, CA: World Trade Press.
Bosch, David. J., Transforming Mission: Paradigm Shifts in Theology of Mission, Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 1991.
CIA World Factbook, Home page on-line. Available fromwww.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/bh.html
McRaney, Will, The Art of Personal Evangelism, Nashville: Broadman and Holman, 2003.
Merrill, Tim, ed. Belize: A Country Study. Washington: GPO for the Library of Congress, 1992.
Moreau, A. Scott, Corwin, Gary R and McGee, Gary B., Introducing World Missions: A Biblical, Historical and Practical Survey, Grand Rapids: Baker, 2004.
Operation World, Home page on-line. Available from http://www.operationworld.org/country/beli/owtext.html#2b-1
Shelter Offshore, Home page on-line. Available fromhttp://www.shelteroffshore.com/index.php/living/more/cost_of_living_in_belize/
Winter Ralph and Hawthorne, Steven, Perspectives On the World Christian Movement, Carlisle: Paternoster Press, 2009.
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