ORLANDO, Fla. — After a Vacation Bible School (VBS) at a public school in Davao, Philippines, a little boy approached Pastor Joe Meyers with a question: Was he too bad to be loved by God?
During the VBS, hosted by World Share for 500 students at a public school, children had learned the parable of the lost sheep. But for this boy, the lesson brought a deeply personal question. Meyers embraced him, and the two cried together. He told the boy that Jesus loved him too, no matter what he had done, and wanted a relationship with him.
It was a reminder of why opportunities to share the love of Jesus with children matter.
On Nov. 20, Christians around the world will observe the World Day of Prayer and Action for Children, which also coincides with World Children’s Day. In recognition of the day, World Share is inviting Christians across the United States to pray for children in Asia and the local churches and ministry partners working to reach them.
In 2027, World Share plans to support outreach in four Asian countries. The year begins in January alongside two ministry partner organizations in Chiang Rai, Thailand. In February, World Share will spend a month partnering with General Baptist Bible College in Davao, Philippines, coming alongside its daily work of training the next generation of ministry leaders through outreach, training and practical tools. In the spring, the ministry will work with a partner church in Vietnam, followed by a partnership with a church in Osaka, Japan.
Three of the four countries are within the 10/40 Window, a region often recognized for its limited access to the Christian message. In Japan and Thailand, roughly one in 100 people identifies as Christian.
These opportunities are made possible through the work of local churches, ministry partners, volunteers and supporters who help create opportunities for children to hear about Jesus and build relationships with local believers.
“Sometimes we think we’re going somewhere to teach children about Jesus, but we’re reminded just how much every child needs to know they are loved. That little boy’s question has stayed with us. Every child deserves the opportunity to hear that God’s love is for them, too.”, said Pastor Joe Meyers, World Share co-founder.
Since 2018, World Share partnerships have helped reach more than 37,000 people through outreach around the world.
As the Nov. 20 observance approaches, World Share has created a free prayer guide with one page dedicated to each country in its 2027 outreach plans. The guide offers a practical way for individuals, families and churches to pray for children, local ministry leaders and the opportunities ahead.
Download the free prayer guide at: world-share.org/prayer-guide
“Training the next generation of ministry leaders is about more than preparing people for ministry. It’s about investing in people who will continue sharing the love of Jesus with children and families in their communities. We’re grateful for partners who come alongside this work.”, said Joyce C. Porcadilla-Rubia, General Baptist Bible College President
About World Share
World Share operates under the fiscal sponsorship of Gathering of Neighbors Collective, a registered 501(c)(3), and partners with churches and ministries around the world to create turnkey VBS outreach events that introduce children to Jesus and connect them to local churches for lasting discipleship.
