Episode 62: Raising Lifelong Disciples
As a child, Valerie Bell wanted to be a lawyer for children. At that time there wasn’t such a thing, but our God of details worked in her life to minister as an advocate for children in her many different roles. Currently the CEO of AWANA, Valerie talks about raising the church of 2050 to be lifelong disciples who are able to withstand the darkening of this world. She speaks hope into this darkness by encouraging us to train children to KNOW & LOVE Jesus for the rest of their lives.
Ready to hear how to train resilient children who will change the trajectory of future generations? Let’s go!
VALERIE BELL is the CEO Emerita of Awana Clubs International which ministers to 5 million children in 132 countries with over 64,000 church partners. She has recently coauthored “Resilient: Child Discipleship and the Fearless Future of the Church”, which charts a path to raising the greatest generation of disciples who will both lead the church and influence the culture of 2050. Valerie is an author and speaker who shares her spiritual journey with refreshing honesty. As a frequent guest speaker and interviewee, she shares her faith with a warmth and sincerity that’s contagious. Valerie challenges her audiences to live out their faith with courage in their everyday world. She has written eight books:
-Nobody’s Children (Word, 1989) which was updated, revised and re-released in 1994 under the title Reaching Out to Lonely Kids (Zondervan).
-Getting Out of Your Kids’ Faces and Into Their Hearts (Zondervan, 1995).
-She Can Laugh at the Days to Come (Zondervan, 1996) which was re-titled—A Well-Tended Soul—and released by Zondervan in March, 2000.
-Made to Be Loved: Enjoying Spiritual Intimacy with God and Your Spouse, a joint project with her husband (Moody Press, 1999)
-Faith-Shaped Kids: Helping Your Child Grow Spiritually (Moody, 2001) co-authored with Steve.
-Real Survivors: Finding Hope and Courage in Times of Crisis (Servant Publications, 2003) also co-authored with her husband, Steve.
-An African Awakening: My Journey into AIDS Activism (2007 – World Vision)
-Resilient: Child Discipleship and the Fearless Future of the Church (2020)
Whether she’s sharing her heart concerning the enormous needs of today’s children or speaking to and challenging the church to reach out to the world’s children equipping them to love Jesus for the rest of their lives, audiences will find her to be an authentic, engaging and motivating communicator.
Valerie (or as her 6 grandchildren call her…Lovie) and her husband Steve, (or Gahgo) live in Kildeer, Illinois and Boca Raton, Florida.
Resources For You:
- Awana Website
- Awana on FB
- Valerie Bell Facebook
- 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
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Lauren Gaines, author of Unshakable Kids & creator of the online community, Inspired Motherhood, shares practical tips and encouragement on raising unshakable kids.
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Teaching children the importance of keeping faith a priority in their life can be difficult. This fun activity will help kids visually understand the importance of putting Jesus first in their life. This visual reminder is sure to stick with them for years!