Inter-America Launches ‘Olympics of Faith’ Initiative for Children and Adolescents
A young boy from the French Antilles Guiana Union territory carries a torch during the launch of the “Olympics of Faith” discipleship initiative across the Inter-American Division territory earlier this month. Each month a torch will be virtually passed to three unions. More than 500,000 children and adolescents, ages 1 to 14, are expected to take part in numerous activities that will enrich their spiritual, physical and emotional lives through a series of bible studies, prayer sessions, and healthy activities at home, in their churches and communities this year. [Photo: Screengrab from French Antilles Guiana Union video]
Thousands of children across the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Inter-American Division (IAD) are enrolled in the newest discipleship and evangelistic initiative that will lead them in numerous activities and projects during the next 10 months.
Coined as The Olympics of Faith – I Will Go, the initiative will engage children ages 1 to 14 in activities that will enrich their spiritual, physical and emotional lives through a series of bible studies, and prayer sessions and physical and healthy learning activities at home, in their churches and their communities.
Logo of the “Olympics of Faith” initiative children and adolescents are taking part in throughout Inter-America this year. [Image: Children and Adolescents Ministries/IAD]
The initiative is paired with Inter-America’s I Will Go mission initiative this quinquennium, and will aid children in participating in family activities, reaching other peers in their neighborhood as well getting involved in service activities in their communities.
Complete with passing a torch from union to union each month, earning points, tracking accomplishments on personalized cards to reach gold, silver, or bronze medal status at the end of an Olympic themed journey, the initiative will see children studying the life of bible characters, memorizing scripture, praying for others, learning about eating and keeping healthy habits, testifying for Jesus, discovering new skills and taking part in preparing and holding an evangelistic campaign in their local church at the end of September.
A group of children from East Venezuela show off their “Olympics of Faith” registration card with their leader. More than 30,000 children and adolescents in Venezuela are expected to take part in the initiative. [Photo: Courtesy of East Venezuela Union]
Union and local children and adolescents ministries directors are working with thousands of children to train and disciple them to witness to others. The goal is for each of the 24 unions in Inter-America to reach at least 100 newly baptized youngsters during special evangelistic campaigns to be held in September in commemoration of Inter-America’s centennial celebration this year.
In Venezuela, more than 30,000 children have already enrolled in the Olympics of Faith initiative, said Espinoza. “This is such a big step for them amid their difficult challenges there our leaders are working arduously to lead so many children in this special initiative,” she said.
A children’s small group at the Las Carpas Adventist Church in Guasdalito, Apure in West Venezuela, presents a few posters on the Olympics of Faith initiative to their peers during a special meeting on Jan. 26, 2022. More than 7,000 children and adolescents have signed up for the initiative in the West Venezuela region including students at dozens of Adventist schools. Leaders expect that number to double in the coming weeks. [Photo: Karina Castillo de Palacios]
In the Inter-Oceanic Mexican Union, leaders have produced a booklet with puzzles, diagrams, and multiple activities to enrich each weekly program.
Other unions have adopted the initiative to fit their specific local fields and churches for this year, according to Espinoza.
Part of animated video featuring a bible game that corresponds with study of the book of Matthew in the “Olympics of Faith” weekly program this month. The animated feature was created by the El Salvador Union. [Photo: Screengrab from El Salvador Union video]
It’s all about involving children, as part of retaining them with attractive programs that can engage them in the life of the church, said Espinoza. “Children in our local churches can be the most effective missionary contact for other children. They are key evangelistic witnesses not only to peers but to parents, too.”
Children at the Las Lomas Adventist Church in Tabasco, Southeast Mexico, pose for a group photo with their children and adolescents ministries leader and their new friends from the community. Three children of the small church invited five other friends from their neighborhood to be part of the Olympics of Faith in their congregation. [Photo: Yuri Salazar]
Click HERE for English
Click HERE for Spanish
Click HERE for French