On April 7 – 10, 2024, Children’s Ministries leaders from the Seventh-day Adventist Church gathered in Kuala Lumpur for the 2024 Alive in Jesus (AIJ) Sabbath School Training Convention. This event was attended by directors from unions, conferences, and missions, as well as children’s leaders from eleven unions in the Southern Asia-Pacific Division (SSD). The convention aimed to introduce to leaders the new Sabbath School curriculum, Alive in Jesus, designed for children from birth to 14 and youth aged 15 to 18, and to equip them with the skills needed to implement the AIJ curriculum effectively.
The convention featured Dr. Orathai Chureson and Mrs. Nilde Itin, the General Conference (GC) Children’s Ministries Director and Associate Director respectively, who shared via Zoom the rationale, goals, and pillars of the AIJ curriculum. Speakers from SSD were Pastor Segundino Asoy, Director of Sabbath School/Personal Ministries (SS/PM), and Pastor Stephen Salainti, Vice-President of Leadership Development (LEAD). They encouraged the attendees to stay committed to serving and nurturing children, thus preparing them for future service and the kingdom.
Mrs. Danita Caderma, Director of SSD Children’s Ministries along with Mrs. Melodie Mae Inapan, the CHM director of NPUC, Dr Surapee Sorajjakool, the CHM director of SEUM and Mrs. Maliana Tambunan, the CHM director of WIUM took turns to introduce the Baby Steps, Kindergarten, Primary and Junior divisions of the AIJ curriculum. Live demonstrations were conducted to show how to apply the guidelines in the AIJ teacher guides and how to practice fun and interactive learning strategies in Sabbath school classes.
The AIJ curriculum, developed by the GC Sabbath School and Personal Ministries Department, will replace the Gracelink curriculum starting in 2025, beginning with the Baby Steps and Beginner divisions. The training was both necessary and timely because it equipped children’s leaders to facilitate a seamless transition from the Gracelink to the AIJ curriculum, all while upholding the biblical mandate to “train up a child in the way he should go.” Some attendees expressed appreciation for the similarities between the two curricula, which makes the transition process easier.
Looking ahead, further AIJ training will be provided at the mission level in MAUM to ensure a smooth transition and continued spiritual nurturing for children and youth in our churches.
Reported by Mrs. Faridah Lausin, MAUM Director of Children Ministries
30, April 2024, Wednesday.