Jesus was not only a carpenter, He was a teacher. In the gospels, Jesus was called “teacher” more than 60 times. This was the title used by both the disciples and the crowds. John 13:13 records Jesus’ own reference to Himself as teacher when He said, “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord’, and rightly so, for that is what I am” (NIV). The world was His classroom, and Jesus spent His life teaching others about the nature of God, how to hear His Father’s voice, and to love one another.
We also know Jesus loves children. In the gospels, we see His willingness to devote time to them, His recognition of their importance in the Kingdom of God, and His passion for protecting them from harm. As a great teacher, His attention to children was remarkable and surprised many.
Jesus’ example in His love for learning and His tenderness towards children is at the heart of our education initiatives. We believe that it is our responsibility as followers of Christ to meet the multifaceted needs of those struggling to survive poverty — including their need for education — and we work with ministry partners around the world who share in this passion.
Our Christ-based school programs fill more than a child’s mind with knowledge. We nourish their bodies, hearts, and souls in a place that gives them freedom to learn, grow, rest, and dream. By meeting the basic needs of vulnerable children while teaching hope in Jesus’ name, we create a foundation for a life committed to learning and service.
The book of Proverbs encourages us to value learning and understanding. In Proverbs 22:6, we see how learning impacts generations. “Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it” (NIV). Education is transformative, and our programs have a truly long-term and sustained impact on families and communities. Children with a rich foundation of learning have better options for employment and are better able to lead financially stable families and strong communities when they grow up. When adults can support their families, their children are more likely to attend school … and the multi-generational impact can continue.
Together with our ministry partners, we’ve witnessed Jesus use the power of education to transform lives from the inside out. We’ve watched families shape their own opportunities and find hope for the future. Join us as we follow the example of our Great Teacher Jesus to love vulnerable children around the world by supporting education and the Thriving Kids ministry.
