To see more photos of the course look under Training – Junior Training Course
“What will I do during the first week of my summer holidays?” This question resounded in the back of my mind. I could sit at home, put my feet up and make the most of not having to think about anything; but then there would be seven more weeks to do that. So, I decided to go back to the class room and attend the JSOTC in Kilkeel Presbyterian Church Halls.
We arrived on Sunday afternoon and got stuck in. The first class was taken by David Crutchley, and it was entitled “Why Evangelise Children?” This highlighted the urgency of reaching children with the Gospel because “…all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3v23). He also taught us that the children are the future of our nation and if they come to Christ now, at an early age, then this will enable them to lead lives of service to God.
Angie McKee’s morning Bible studies on Moses really spoke to me. “Moses spent his first 40 years thinking he was somebody. He spent his second 40 years learning he was nobody. He spent his third 40 years discovering what God can do with a nobody.” (D L Moody) It really struck me how God overcame Moses’ excuses and came up with a solution for them all. We also learnt about how God’s compassion and love for the lost has not diminished and He still is commanding His people to go and tell them of Him! We realised how we should only listen to God’s voice and follow in faith no matter how ludicrous the situation may seem to us.
On the practical side of the training course, we were required to demonstrate teaching either a memory verse or a quiz. We were absolutely terrified, but the teaching and help from the CEF workers were amazing. Their enthusiasm was a great encouragement to us all. Although our hands were shaking during these demonstrations God was definitely with us and I know that I could feel Him helping and guiding me throughout my memory verse. We were given a bookmark at the start of the course which said “For I, the Lord God will hold your right hand, saying to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you.’” (Isaiah 41:13). We also had to demonstrate the Wordless Book, and although we really dreaded this, it was great learning how to present the message of the Gospel in a clear and simple way so that children can easily understand. We learnt the four main points of the Gospel:
1. God is holy
2. We are sinners
3. Christ is the answer
4. We must respond
This was my first experience of a training week and I can say that it was wonderful! The food was lovely and we really appreciated the ladies from Kilhorne Church of Ireland coming along to cook our dinner each evening, and just around the corner we could purchase “a big dorty chip”!! I learnt so much and I’m really looking forward to putting the lessons I learnt into practice by helping at a camp and in 5-Day Clubs®. It was great having the opportunity to meet other Christians my age from all over Northern Ireland with the same burden to reach children. It was brilliant craic, the fellowship was really encouraging for all and we all managed to survive the course despite the extreme lack of sleep! I hope to attend the SOTC next year, God willing. Please continue to pray for the work of CEF during this summer time through camp ministries, 5-Day clubs and Holiday Bible Clubs.
Helen Macauley
aww it was amzing…wld tell anybody wiv a burden to reach boys n girls to so go it is amzinf:)