The Children Ministries of the Adventist Church in Malaysia held its inaugural Children Leaders Conference from 16–19 May 2025, at the Trove Hotel in Johor Bahru. Centered on the theme “Discipling Children for the Harvest,” the event gathered over 100 participants. The attendance included representatives from the Northern Sabah (NSM), Sabah (SAB), Sarawak (SAK), and the Peninsular Malaysia (PEM).
The conference commenced with an inspiring message from the MAUM Executive Secretary, Pr. Nelson Bendah. “Children are gifts from God; they are His blessings,” he stated. His message served as a refreshing reminder to all in attendance of the vital importance of intentionally nurturing and caring for the young.
Sabbath morning began with video highlights from each mission, showcasing the activities they had carried out since the beginning of the year. The divine service featured a spiritual message by Madam Nilde Itin, Associate Director of Children’s Ministries at the General Conference. “The process of discipleship is the same as gardening,” she explained. “Making a disciple takes time, just like gardening. It requires planning, preparing, planting, cultivating, waiting for rain and sun, and patiently anticipating growth and fruit.”
Sabbath afternoon passed swiftly, filled with engaging activities such as “Follow the Leader” and “I Describe, You Draw.” The first session focused on the Integrated Disciple-Making Strategic Framework, which emphasizes Loving, Teaching, and Leading. “We cooperate with God in making disciples when we love, teach, and lead,” shared Madam Nilde during her presentation to the participants.
The second session was conducted by Madam Danita Caderma, Children’s Ministries Director of the Southern Asia-Pacific Division, on the topic “Connecting Children to God: Rooted in Reverence.” Her message highlighted the importance of teaching children to develop a sense of reverence for God from an early age. “If children know reverence from a young age, they will become the fruits of this virtue,” she emphasized.
The final session concluded with a powerful reminder of the discipleship process:
I do
I do, you watch
I do, you help
You do, I help
You do, I watch
You do
This model encourages leaders to walk alongside children, guiding them step by step until they are confident and capable of serving on their own. As the conference came to a close, participants left with hearts full of gratitude and renewed excitement. Inspired and equipped, they returned home ready to begin planting the seeds of faith in the lives of children—whether at home, in school, or in the church.
Below is the highlights video for the Children’s Leaders Conference 2025 | Discipling Children for the Harvest:
Reported by Eyallini Abnor, MAUM Communication Department
25, May 2025, Sunday.