The foundation has been laid since childhood, and the influence of life passed down from generation to generation

[Foundation Laying] Interview with Pastor Zhu Shimeifei, Chairman of the China Christian Asia-Pacific Children and Youth Leadership Development Association

Interview compilation/Lin Minwen

Photo provided/"Asia-Pacific Children and Youth Leadership Development Conference", He Fumei

The foundation of children’s faith

As a fifth-generation Christian, Pastor Zhu Shimeifei has inherited the long-standing foundation of faith from her family and is also immersed in the torrent of Taiwanese church history. When she understood God's call to devote herself to the ministry of children and children, her uncle, Pastor Shi Daxiong, reminded her to observe the current situation of the children's ministry and encouraged her to break through the existing framework and meet the challenges.

Zhu Shimei noticed that most churches have limited tangible and intangible resources to invest in children and youth ministry, and it is rare for churches to put children and youth ministry as their first priority. However, the content and methods of today's children's Sunday school teaching will affect the theology and values of the future generation of believers. If we stop at several teachers taking turns to teach, telling Bible stories instead of God’s words, just so that children will not disturb adults’ worship, what kind of believers will this kind of concept and practice cultivate?

Therefore, she is committed to building a complete church life for children and training them to be committed to the church, experience the Holy Spirit, and receive visions, so that the next generation will not become consumers of the church, but rather builders.

Zhu Shimei designed the curriculum with an emphasis on the integrity of the Bible. She believes that since it is the word of God, it must systematically and comprehensively cover sixty-six books; parents should read it to their children from the time they are young, and they should read it on their own after they become literate. She also emphasized that studying the Bible is not just about imparting knowledge, but also about implementing it into life and faith. Taking the book of Leviticus as an example, she guides students to understand what "holiness" is and why "separation" is necessary, allowing students to understand the laws that the Israelites received from God thousands of years ago. This is still important to Taiwanese believers living in the 21st century. Relevant and practical.

Parents should live out their faith

The church cannot and should not replace the role and status of parents in the cultivation of their children's faith.

Some parents are enthusiastic about church service, but when it comes to their children's value education, they either adopt a passive attitude and think that it is enough to bring their children to church for Sunday school; Disorder and lawlessness.

Princess Zhu encourages parents to participate in faith education, from "parent-child prayer" to "parent-child worship," from camp content design to co-worker participation. Parents should not just pick up and drop off their children to participate in activities, but become ministers. In this way, children can not only be told to practice the basic skills of faith - reading the Bible, praying, and serving, but they can also see how to do it from their parents, and further do and grow with their parents.

The Apostle Paul compared the relationship between believers in the church to members of the body, connecting, helping, and supporting each other. Princess Zhu Shimei applied this belief to human resources, so that uncles and aunts in the church can also help children grow.

When planning a large-scale event, it is not enough to just rely on a few church elders. At this time, the professional talents among the members can contribute their own strengths in management, planning, and execution. Even during the whole process, bringing a few teenagers with you to do it together is a brainstorming, experience transfer, and discipleship training.

The elders of the church work diligently for God in the workplace during the week, and they also devote themselves to the affairs of God’s family on Sundays. This attitude has also become an inspiration and role model for the younger generation. Pastor Zhu Shimeifei was pleased to say that even though the school had exams on Monday, the students would still serve and gather as usual on Saturday and Sunday.

▲The "Asia-Pacific Children and Youth Leadership Development Conference" aims to explore issues affecting ideology and culture on the basis of complete theological education. The picture shows the 2017 course syllabus.

Developing leaders who know and act

The "Asia-Pacific Children and Youth Leadership Development Conference" has been held for the 26th time. Students over the age of ten are welcome to participate. The course is supported by professors from China Evangelical Theological Seminary and explores issues affecting ideology and culture based on a complete theological education. Five years have been devoted to the topic of "postmodernity" alone, and the first half of each year is spent preparing conference materials.

Zhu Shimeifei pointed out that the special conference not only focuses on cognitive issues, but also aims to equip students with critical thinking skills to facilitate intellectual dialogue. At present, in addition to being held in Taiwan every year, it has also expanded to other regions. For example, the Asia-Pacific Conference in Singapore and Malaysia has been held for 13 times.

She has also seen changes in the lives of participants. Some children from churches on outlying islands need subsidies when they first start attending conferences. When they realized how helpful the conference was to them, the students began to work part-time and save money. After that, they could not only pay for themselves, but also have enough money to support others to participate. When Concubine Zhu Shimei visited the outlying islands in person, they were very excited and deeply inspired.

When arranging summer camp courses every year, Zhu Shimeifei also integrates with local industries. For example, she takes the children to Yilan Nanfang'ao Fishing Port to learn about the lives of fishermen, and to Baimi Village (also known as "Baimi Clogs Village") to observe the work and rest of farmers. Observe the solar energy industry and more. Such field exploration and outdoor teaching can increase children's knowledge, broaden their horizons, and activate their willingness to learn to enter future industries. Isn’t this one of the channels for preparing talents?

Make full use of human resources

Having been involved in children’s ministry for many years, the children’s Sunday school students led by Princess Zhu Shimei are now married and starting a business, and they bring their own children to participate in the children’s Sunday school. How can these batches of students, generations of children, maintain firm faith in the various subcultures in society?

Concubine Zhu Shimei mentioned that these children who were nurtured in the church were considered "literary youths", "beautiful girls" and "sunshine" in the eyes of their peers, and their reactions were all positive.

She believes that when parents are consistent with the church and faith education returns to daily life, children can develop self-discipline. At the same time, in the church, children can get opportunities and space to develop their talents, so they have less time to participate in school clubs and there is less pressure from peer subcultures. In terms of schoolwork, the church also invites older brothers and sisters who have entered university to help with academic tutoring, and it also serves as a refueling station for their souls.

She also encouraged her children to find the benchmark for their future career development, which is not just to find a job, but to find their lifelong "career". Therefore, we need to seriously consider whether every child is suitable for college, and whether technical and vocational schools are closer to children's gifts? The church also needs to provide opportunities so that children can use what they have learned to serve God and serve others.

Looking at the current situation in Taiwan, there is a group of people aged 40 to 60 who either voluntarily or passively left the workplace early, but are relatively stable and mature physically, mentally, intellectually, and spiritually. They are human resources that exert great influence. , how can it be left idle?

Princess Zhu Shimei encouraged believers in such situations to stand in the gap and become caretakers serving the next generation. With his expertise and experience, he builds the next generation of parents and becomes the coach of the next generation of teenagers. They can teach and train, as well as accompany and encourage; the scope can be Bible knowledge, parenting experience, attitude towards life, and coping with advancement and retreat. She is happy to see multi-generational co-workers serving across age groups.

God’s chosen workers

To the "frontline" co-workers who are also devoted to serving children and young people - the Sunday school teachers, Pastor Zhu Shimeifei encouraged that everyone is called and chosen to serve because of God's will. She reminded teachers to be willing to put down their dignity and not care about gains and losses, so that they can be calm and not feel disappointed.

Moreover, because the children they are in contact with come from different families, she expects teachers to be cautious in their words and deeds, not to compare, not to pass on words, and not to say things that should not be said, so as to avoid disputes and chaos.

However, we must be serious about conveying the truth and say what needs to be said; ask God for fresh manna and use creativity to proclaim God’s word. At the end of each activity, no matter what the results are, use the evaluation as motivation for the next service, give glory to God, and move on.

She hopes that teachers can maintain a regular spiritual life, because being able to continue to serve is a gift from God. She must make progress in order to lead students to make progress. And all this is because we have treasures placed in earthen vessels, and what people see will be the glory of God.

▲Zhu Shimeifei: The purpose of children’s faith education is to cultivate church builders, not just consumers.

The future of inheritance

Regarding the future, Princess Zhu Shimei prayed that God would continue to give information to build a life of faith and see it be passed down from generation to generation. She pointed out that the Chinese can understand the sense of mission and inheritance, but can they take a broader view and expand their horizons? Now that this generation has become internationalized and team-oriented, how can the church have a broader view of the kingdom so that the younger generation can have a macro-ambition?

She also saw that pastoral care needs to carefully weigh what is irreplaceable truth and life. For example, recognizing the importance of reading and writing requires proper teaching of "reading" the Bible rather than "sliding" the Bible. She once again used the book of Leviticus as an example to encourage the co-workers involved in pastoral care to see that God’s words transcend time and space. What practical significance does the festival laws given to the Israelites thousands of years ago have on today’s generation? Does the requirement of one year of fallow every seven years in the days of Moses still apply to Taiwan’s intensive agriculture today? How should yes and no be understood and implemented?

In today's society where the values and moral values are in turmoil, what attitude should the church have and what strategy should it adopt towards the education of the next generation? According to Zhu Shimei Fei, believers’ views on marriage and family are the best countermeasures, but the church also needs to teach couples, parents, and children biblical-based beliefs and a lifestyle that truly lives out the truth. Basic truths are important, but they cannot stop there; based on basic truths, what will be the style of marriage and parent-child relationships that are further lived out? This is something that pastors should think deeply about and embody.

lasting impact on vitality

Having devoted herself to serving children for many years, Zhu Shimei has indeed seen God’s hand in it. Not only does the ministry continue to develop, but the lives of children are also changing.

A student suffering from cancer showed more confidence during the treatment than even his spiritual elders who cared for him. A child has lost a loved one, and the church’s continued attention accompanies her growth, allowing her to experience the love of God the Father. The children from the kindergarten came to attend the special meeting. After returning, even the director noticed the changes in the children. The non-believers who accompanied the social service staff were also moved by God's love and burst into tears during the meeting.

The Strawberry Club, which has been held for many years in the ministry, is a regular weekly activity open to all kindergartens in Taipei City. Princess Zhu also encouraged children in the church to donate one-tenth of their New Year's money as bus fare for other children to participate in activities.

One day, a father contacted Pastor Zhu Shimeifei and expressed his willingness to donate to the Strawberry Club's bus fund. Surprised, she asked the parent, who had never attended church services, the motivation behind his generous donation. The father said that his child is a hyperactive child and has always given teachers a headache. But since joining the Strawberry Club, things have gotten better and better. My father attended in person that day and sat back to observe the children's participation - he saw each child entering the venue with excited steps and leaving happily and contentedly; he saw his own child being focused, disciplined and actively participating in every program. He sees the changes in children and the impact of the curriculum.

In this environment of innovation and change, who else is willing to choose to dig deeper? Who is willing to invest in eternity?

Pastor Zhu Shimeifei said that children’s ministry seems to involve “high investment, low reward, and it takes many years to see some results.” However, she firmly believes that the flow of God’s grace is fresh and clean, and it is necessary to support all believers who participate in the service to continue Go down.

Because faith needs to be passed on, life will continue to exert its influence.

Heartfelt words from a Sunday school teacher for children and youth

hardworking gardener

Every spring, my husband and I plant flowers and vegetables in the yard. Before sowing and planting, you have to spend a weekend to loosen the soil and fertilize, and then water frequently and add nutrients frequently.

We see youth ministry as a nursery that requires hard work, persistence, and endurance. The hearts of these young believers or seekers need to loosen the soil and add nutrients - teach them who Jesus Christ is, and help them understand that coming to the house of God is not just a tradition or ritual, but a desire to get closer to Him.

Just like planting flowers, vegetables and fruits, even if you do the same preparations, the results will still be different. We have taught engaged students, volunteered to lead worship each week, and inspired each other. At the same time, we have also encountered students who are spiritually immature, have only a partial understanding of the meaning of worship, and are hesitant to establish a deeper relationship with the Savior. If you ignore them, you will always become a stumbling block for others.

We fully understand that we are just God’s tools, and He is ultimately in control. No matter what results we see at the moment, we must still cultivate His garden patiently. Future gardeners who are interested in serving young people should understand that this is God’s calling, not a job, but an interest. We are humble workers for the Lord, and all glory belongs to Him.

(Chris and Hannah, Florida, USA, serving youth for six years)

The hopeful "owner"

In serving children and teenagers in the church for more than 20 years, my greatest experience is that "the more I do it, the sweeter it becomes." It is difficult to see results in a short period of time when serving children and children, but after a long period of investment and cultivation, you can happily witness the growth of the children - from children lying on the ground making trouble to standing on the stage and becoming baptized young people. , or at a wedding ceremony, listening to the bride or groom introduce themselves: "She was my fellowship counselor when I was young. I used to..." Some of the children who once gave me a lot of headaches are now Sunday school teachers, and some People are missionaries. Of course, not every child will remember their teacher, but the Lord Jesus will.

If you want to see a small tree grow into a big one, the prerequisites are: have a sense of humor, be happy often, serve long enough, and be healthy! Every child in the class is a blessing to the teacher, even those students who come to "kick the gym", because they make me seek progress with an open mind, feel younger, and pray more sincerely, asking God to give me creative wisdom so that I can become a teacher. A teacher who can exude the fragrance of life through words and deeds.

(Xin Hui, New Jersey, USA, serving children and youth for more than 20 years)

connecting bridge

Some pastors believe that parents are the key to faith education, saying, "If parents have raised their faith well, their children's faith will also be raised well."

Because the church’s adult and youth worship services are separate, the youth ministry has established a “Teen Parents” group on WeChat to share with parents the key points of Sunday information and the content of Sunday school discussions every week. , theme scriptures, and prayer matters for children’s physical, mental and spiritual growth.

In this way, parents can know exactly what messages their children heard in church, and they can also be reminded to continue talking and practicing with their children during the week. Parents responded very positively to this approach. They no longer asked their children superficially: "What did we learn in church today?" but were able to discuss meaningfully: "How do we... at home?"

As a parent of teenagers myself, I know that children of this age do more observing than listening. Parents can inspire each other to lead by example through sharing on "WeChat" and build a bridge between them and their children's hearts.

(Linda, Florida, USA, serving teenage parents for one and a half years)

God-fearing example

What children are always taught in Sunday school is to learn to fear God from an early age. A child who fears God will want to please God, will love and serve the Lord faithfully, and will be a servant who is willing to commit himself. They will also avoid doing evil and not sin against God. Even when he grows up and leaves home to study or work, he still keeps his faith.

Parents are their children's spiritual mentors. Children will imitate and learn from their parents’ spiritual life and whether they have a stable spiritual life. Encourage parents to care about their children's learning in Sunday school, and help their children review class content and pray together. Parents value spiritual education more than school grades and rankings, which will affect their children's lifelong faith life.

The current challenge is how to retain the children who come to participate in various activities (such as Easter, Christmas, summer camp) and continue to follow up. Sometimes they want to continue coming to church, but their parents are not Christians and do not allow their children to come. Therefore, when the church preaches the gospel, it must connect with the community, organize some activities or courses, invite nearby residents to participate, and make friends with neighbors. When parents are willing to go to church and do not reject the gospel, they will be willing to let their children come to church.

(Youwei, Pingtung, Taiwan, serving children for 20 years)

Interviewee profile
Rev. Zhu Shimeifei is the founder and current chairman of the Asia-Pacific Children and Youth Leaders Training and Development Association of China, the founder and current CEO of the Asia-Pacific Children and Youth Leaders Conference, and the district pastor of the Children and Youth Pastoral District of Taipei Lingliang Church. He is good at organizing volunteer operation teams and planning large-scale activities, planning and designing parenting education and training courses for children and parents. We devote ourselves to the training and education courses for church children and children, such as group recreation education, sensory integration and coordination, clinical counseling, pre-marital education, physical fitness environment situational training, parent-child education consultation and consultation, family functional education, children's situational education and behavior Development, adolescent behavioral development, parent-child relationship, single-parent family counseling, integrated and coordinated education and cultivation.

Journalist profile

Lin Minwen is willing to listen to people’s stories and record God’s deeds.