Recently, Savannah and I had the opportunity to go to a Christian school’s chapel service in Northern Virginia. It was 1st through 3rd grade chapel, but some of the older elementary grades came to be part of the service as well. We showed the deputation video, and then I preached to them about being an ambassador for Christ. Afterward, we got to answer questions about the mission field of Uganda for about half an hour.

As the time seemed to quickly pass, the head teacher gave the signal, and the final question was about to be asked. A boy from the second row was chosen. The previous questions had ranged from the weather and seasons to animals and food of Uganda. The boy proudly stood and ask: “Mr. Gardner, you said that we are ambassadors for God and that you are going to Uganda to tell them about Him; what gods do they serve?”

It was such a blessing to not only see that the child understood the message that I had just preached, but to see the insight that he possessed to ask a question like that was such an encouragement. The boy was only in third grade. God places a premium on raising up the next generation in Him. My mind quickly rushed to Christ’s words in Matthew 19.

Matthew 19:13-14 “Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.”