Report

Every family

Through every church

To every community

Outcomes and Initiatives

Generous Generations

The Generous Generations group (now known as “GenG”) has begun work on a variety of activities and resources. They are also looking at a GenG “Launch Experience” (inspired by the Journey of Generosity; although unique in its expression), which is geared toward families, churches, and potentially social media (YouTube, TikTok, gaming, etc.).

Global Connections

The Global Connections group wrestled with how we can be infectious carriers in the steps we take forward. We want to be intentional about the networks and churches we engage with. We want to empower key voices and champions.

The current focus is to develop a roadmap for the next three years – the first steps of which are to work on a simple descriptor, a longer statement and a theological framework to help others engage collaboratively.

Local Church Resources

We recognise the central role of local churches as they minister with and to families. We want to invest in this area by the following:

  • A survival kit for pastors (they have broken families too)
  • A church resource called ‘Family Day’ to help families come together and have fun and work on support, relationships, rhythm and priorities
Family Resources

We are focusing on building a toolkit which will incorporate the following:

  • A video for communities and churches
  • A manual for mothers (Solo Mama)
  • A game to be played by a family to talk about what they like and don’t like in the way they interact with each other – a good way to listen to children
Digital

Digital is relevant to all the groups and continues to support the development and communication of projects. We are also working on the following:

  • Developing the use of the gcf.community website and exploring how that can support the wider community
  • Exploring how we get Families on Mission resources to people – both equipping and empowering. For example, we are looking at developing templates and resources for organisations to help them begin making new Families on Mission resources
family.fit

The family.fit program continues to excite and inspire. We are currently working on the following:

  • Extending the training available on the website and making that more accessible for training schools
  • Recording multi-language video explaining FF to pastors
  • Improving current videos by adding subtitles to improve clarity
  • Training material for family.fit distributed to 70+ schools
  • Social media team has been formed to create new family.fit content
  • A WhatsApp Group for family.fit champions has been created to support, share ideas and encourage one another as a community of best practice.
Parenting

Parents are important! They are foundational to families, role models and responsible for leading families on mission. Amongst many ideas, there are two which are focusing on first:

  • A keystone resource as a practical guide for families to come alongside other families in their missional journey
  • A resource for church leaders to train on parenting
Grandparents

The role of grandparents can be hugely significant. We are currently working on the following:

  • Creating a first steps resource: 10 ideas for grandparents to be on mission (to be available both online and in print)
  • Working on a resource pack for churches to raise the profile of using these resources

Hosting the meetings in Brazil gave a wonderful focus to the energy and initiatives in this regions. Here we are working on the following:

  • Finding champions in our region
  • Connecting to global networks and partnerships
  • Starting small by showcasing examples that can be adapted and multiplied in our region
AEL, the Latin Regional Evangelism Alliance

The time shared by our AEL members in the Forum was very useful for strengthening strategic relations with the World Evangelical Alliance and initiating links with the Evangelical Alliance of Africa – Children.

The representatives of the AEL Niñez commission also had their own meeting following the Forum to evaluate and address regional issues that will be developed for this year, strengthening strategic teams at the national level. Likewise, work has been done to have, in Latin America, a high-profile global hybrid training in Leadership around Children with the endorsement and certificate of Bethel Seminary, USA.

Rede Mãos Dados, Brazil Children’s Ministry Network

A significant benefit of meeting in Brazil was the opportunity for cross-fertilisation between the different movements. Key priorities for the Rede Mãos Dados team include:

  • Working on a game for families to explore better ways to communicate their everyday grievances in a healthy way.
  • Learn more about the modus operandi of GCF and to grow closer to this way of manifesting the call for unity in Christ’s kingdom.
  • Learn more about family.fit and to get more involved.
  • Learn more about the Leadership Experience plans
  • Exploring how to find ways to include younger leadership within the network.

See below for the full report on our time together in São Paulo, or download the report as a PDF using the button below.

Full Report (PDF) [embedpress_pdf]https://staging.gcf.community/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Sao-Paulo-Report-compressed.pdf[/embedpress_pdf]