A photo of one of the many baptisms in the Southern-Asia Pacific Division after use of the NAD's "Making Jesus my Best Friend" resource
Family Ministries in the Southern-Asia Pacific Division (SSD) recently adopted the North American Division Family Ministries' “Making Jesus My Best Friend” baptismal resource. After translating it into various languages in the SSD, the book is now being used in this sister division of the Adventist Church.
Many years ago, while in pastoral ministry, Claudio and Pamela Consuegra, now director and associate director of Family Ministries for the North American Division, authored a book to prepare children ages 8-12 for baptism. At that time there were no good resources geared towards young children. This was surprising because Ellen White, states, "Children of eight, ten, or twelve years are old enough to be addressed on the subject of personal religion. Do not teach your children with reference to some future period when they shall be old enough to repent and believe the truth. If properly instructed, very young children may have correct views of their state as sinners and of the way of salvation through Christ" (Child Guidance, p. 490).
This series of studies to prepare children for baptism was initially used in their own pastoral ministry until a parent suggested the Consuegras contact a publisher so that it could be distributed on a wider basis. The Review and Herald Publishing Association agreed and published it. Today, it is available in local Adventist Book Centers, on https://adventistbookcenter.com, from AdventSource, and on Amazon.
A group of people prepare for baptism in the Southern-Asia Pacific Division.
Orathai Sorawin Paul, SSD Family Ministries director, requested permission to translate this book in the various languages in her field. This book was adopted division wide in a child-evangelism initiative.
Many children across the Southern Asia Pacific Division are giving their lives to Jesus and being baptized as a result.
“God has richly blessed and used this resource across the world. It is a reminder of how God can use our humble efforts and multiply their effectiveness in reaching souls for His kingdom,” shared the Consuegras. “It is also a reminder of how the North American Division makes an impact for the kingdom across the globe!”
In the Southern-Asia Pacific Division, children and families pose for a photo with the "Making Jesus My Best Friend" children's baptismal resource translated into their own language.