By James Aleko | Project Director
4/14 Window Movements Mission to Effect Change
In past blogs, we have detailed the four essential steps to engaga in next generation ministry. Those four steps — or the four “R’s” — make up the cornerstone of the 4/14 Window Movement. The 4/14 Movement strives to REACH into the world to serve and love this generation; to RESCUE children from oppression, deception, depression and destruction; to ROOT children in Christ; and to RELEASE them into the fields to reap the greatest harvest in history.
All over the world, children and youth represent the demographic that is most receptive to spiritual and developmental input. God is calling the 4/14 Window movement to radically change the way leaders view young people and respond to their strategic importance and rightful place in His Kingdom. Because the 4/14 Window Movement sees children and youth as more than a mission field to be reached, these four “R’s” are part of a powerful missions force effecting change in our world today.
Local churches and ministries are called to RESCUE children from oppression, deception, depression and destruction. There are 1.2 billion children and youth in the 4/14 window who can experience personal transformation and can be mobilized as agents of transformation throughout the world. In human development there is no more critical period than the decade represented by the 4/14 Window. It is a profoundly formative period when perspectives are shaped either positively or negatively and when a view of one’s own significance (or lack of significance) is formulated. The needs and potential of this age group should inspire a purposeful response by those charged today with forming the world of tomorrow. It is a call to REACH “the hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers” (Malachi 4:6).
RESCUEThe world’s 4 to 14-year-olds live under some pressing realities. A disturbing number of 4/14ers in the 10/40 Window are condemned to a life of serfdom, brutal labor, sexual exploitation, spiritual oppression and emotional abuse. Most of those exiting the 4/14 Window quickly leave behind their parents’ supervision. When formal schooling ends they either enter the workforce to make ends meet, or further their education in an environment fraught with secular ideology and materialism.Parents and older siblings serve as the most potent and positive influence for many 4/14ers; but for many children in this age bracket, parents may be negligent and/or their siblings are morally damaging. The digital world presents unprecedented challenges for this generation. The Bible and God’s Word has the power to RESCUE — to provide compelling, clear answers to these important questions. By mobilizing partners in your region, you can be available to rescue the most vulnerable.
ROOTAs detailed before, the 4/14 window is a profoundly formative period when perspectives are shaped, and children’s view of their own significance is formulated. A person’s life-long behaviours and beliefs are often developed during childhood and early adolescence. By age 13, a child’s spiritual identity is largely set in place. The power of ROOT is this — that if we can reach children and youth and disciple them when their life perspective and worldviews are being shaped, we will set them on a rock that cannot be easily moved.
RELEASEChildren and youth can contribute much to positive social change. What often prevents this from occurring is an absence of adults who believe in them. Nevertheless, most children and youth respond well to challenges and can participate in opportunities to better their surroundings and their societies. There is great power in RELEASING children to reach their friends and families, and in encouraging and equipping children and youth to use their gifts and potential as agents in transforming the world.
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