Interview with Gordon West, Founder and President of KidZ at Heart (KAH) Ministries

Interview with Gordon West, Founder and President of KidZ at Heart (KAH) Ministries

“KidZ at Heart (KAH) has as its aim ‘helping children fall deeply in love with Jesus’. Here in Southern Africa our partnership with Walk Thru the Bible has been so instrumental in launching our international ministry. The success of this partnership really was a big part in KidZ at Heart going global.

There is such a sense of God’s timing and favour in this partnership. Of great assistance were the existing structure and support networks that Walk Thru the Bible Southern Africa were able to facilitate.

This partnership here in Southern Africa is now also a model for us, that we have tried to replicated in other regions.

By God’s grace, KidZ at Heart now does children’s ministry training in over 45 countries with over 10 000 teachers already trained. Over 3 million children worldwide have been impacted.

 

Here in Southern Africa our partnership with Walk Thru the Bible has been so instrumental in launching our international ministry.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gordon West (right) pictured with Patrick McWhorter, head of KAH Africa Ministeries

 

 

Plans for Southern Africa

We now have local trainers in place in both South Africa, and more recently in Zambia – who are fully qualified to train the local people in the KAH modules. We are so excited to see them grow in ownership for their geographical area and developing the people there. Please pray with us as we now also start to develop this model in Malawi and Zimbabwe.”

For more information on KAH please click here

First Zambian KidZ at Heart instructors trained

First Zambian KidZ at Heart instructors trained

KidZ at Heart (KAH) continues to grow in Southern Africa

After the ongoing training of a group of Zambian teachers, there is now the very exciting news of the recent training of the first group of 8 Zambian instructors. These new instructors are now fully qualified and ready to take the KAH training to the people of their own country and language, Chongwe.

We also praise God for the appointment of National Training Co-ordinators for Zambia, Derick and Mercy Banda. These key local leaders have a passion and a strategy for reaching children and expanding the ministry in Zambia.

Please pray with us for favour as we now plan to develop this model in Malawi and Zimbabwe.

 

In South Africa…

  • There has been a greater demand for the KAH training modules
  • There are plans to train new instructors
  • Children (and their teachers) are falling more in love with Jesus. Click here to read some of the testimonies

For more information on KAH please click here

Why I am passionate about KidZ at Heart

Why I am passionate about KidZ at Heart

 

I have always had a passion to minister to children. A concern, though, has always been the number of children who fall away – and the reason for this.

 I believe that so key in addressing this, is not just teaching children about God, but teaching children to connect with God for themselves. 

And the KidZ at Heart (KAH) training equips teachers to do just this!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

KAH addresses teaching children how to hear from God through Scripture. But first the teachers who attend the training, need to learn to do this for themselves. The children need to see this modelled by the influential people in their lives – and so this training is as important for parents as it is for teaches! KAH teaches children how to have a growing relationship with God – is there anything more important?”

~ Lynnette Stander, KAH Regional Trainer Southern Africa

 

 

For more information on KidZ at Heart please click here

 

“The KidZ at Heart training really changed me!”

“The KidZ at Heart training really changed me!”

We have been so encouraged by the testimonies we have received after KidZ at Heart training events:

 

“I had come to the point where I felt really despondent as a teacher and unsure about whether I should go on. But after doing the KAH training, I have learnt how to minister to the spiritual needs of the children. I now have new vision for my teaching.”                                                                                                                                                                               ~ Anonymous

 

 

 

“One of the most powerful lessons I learnt from KidZ at Heart (KAH) was to be able to teach children how to hear from God for themselves. You can actually see it on the faces of the children – their expressions change as they realize that God speaks to them too.
The KAH training was so valuable – so much so, that we will be running it at our church again next year. It really impacted our teachers spiritually and also provided valuable skills and practical ‘how to’s’ in terms of reaching and impacting the children.”
~  Juanita, Sunday School leader, Fokus Deo, Limpopo

 

“The KAH training really changed me! As a crèche owner, I work with children all day. It was so vital to be reminded again about the importance of sitting at the feet of God and discerning His voice. It’s not about the right or wrong way of doing things, but really about being obedient to what God is telling us to do – because if we are not, we could miss the opportunities that He gives for really reaching a child. We have to be dependent on the Holy Spirit and not fall into the trap of rushing to the next thing. The session on how to lead a child to Christ was also so helpful.
The sessions didn’t just impact me spiritually, but also provided great practical skills and understanding regarding different learning styles. I look forward to the next KAH training.”
~ Cindy

 

“What is amazing to me is how much I grew spiritually during the KAH training. Your heart really needs to be in it – and when it is the children can see the difference – and it works!
I now teach with greater enthusiasm. I always did my best before, but now my lessons are so much better. I also use what I learnt with my own children. KAH is not just for teachers…. every parent should do this.”
~ Rentia, parent and Sunday School teacher

For more information on attending a KAH training event, please click here

 

“KidZ at Heart are doing a marvellous job in the community!”

“KidZ at Heart are doing a marvellous job in the community!”

A KidZ at Heart Training was held recently for children’s ministry workers in the Epping and Elsies River areas of Cape Town. These training sessions have the specific aim of equipping people to reach and teach children within their own culture and community.

May the change and growth in the hearts and skills of each of these teachers bear much fruit in the lives of the children they teach.

Enjoy this glimpse into some of the impact of this training…

I am superbly overwhelmed! I highly recommend this training. The interaction with the trainers was so helpful.

~ Christina

It is so valuable to understand the different ways in which children learn. Now I can incorporate this in my lessons.

~Cleo

The most valuable part of this training was helping children to hear the voice of God through Scripture.

~ Rene

The KidZ at Heart training really encouraged me to love God whole heartedly myself – just like I want the children to love Him!

~ Claudine

From now on, I will be better at getting down to the children’s level and recognizing the problems they are facing.

~ Tracey Ann

It was so helpful to understand the multiple intelligences and how to apply them in my lessons. KidZ at Heart has shown me how to make the lessons fun for the children. It has really changed my mind set regarding children’s ministry.

~ D. M. Murray

KidZ at Heart is doing a marvellous job in the community! I am gaining so much confidence from these training sessions. I am also going to really help the children focus on applying the lessons.

~ Alicia

I got to understand more of who God is. Teaching His Word is different to teaching anything else. As I listen to Him, He will guide me in conveying the message to the kids.

~ Cindy

I really learned how to be quiet before God and listen to Him. And I will be teaching this to the children.

~ Sonia

KidZ at Heart is unique!

~ Dehedri

I have been doing children’s ministry for many years – even so I am not too old to learn some of these new methods!

~ Felecia

Please click here for more information on KidZ at Heart.

 

“The KidZ at Heart training has really transformed my life. I believe that I am no longer the same”

“The KidZ at Heart training has really transformed my life. I believe that I am no longer the same”

KidZ at Heart TRAINING IN ZAMBIA AND SOUTH AFRICA

KidZ at Heart recently completed a successful training in Chipata, Zambia.
55 teachers were trained in how to
teach creatively and in ways that help children engage with God’s Word and have a growing, personal relationship with Him. 

This training was best summed up by the participants…

It has been a great value to me because it has changed my teaching capacity. ~ Zulu Gift

It’s a great training which helps us to look at the challenges we are facing and the way forward.Also how to be a good nurturer and raise great children. ~ Gloria Banda

This has been the best training that I have ever attended. It brings out the whole being of a child – or in other words it helps you understand the kids in your class. Thank you. ~ Mercy Banda

I enjoyed the training as many of the activities helped me to learn more on how to handle my lessons. ~Charity Nayame

The training has really transformed my life and I believe that I am no longer the same. ~ Nkhoma Sracious Pamela

This training is one of the best – best of the best. ~ Chitamiso Zulu

The team also travelled to Rustenberg, in North West, South Africa to do training in this area for the first time. The training in this area got off to a great start and will continue in the coming months. This group of teachers were just as enthusiastic in their response.

The training not only enlightens you about children’s ministry, but also challenges your individual walk with Jesus.

KIdZ at Heart really does open up your mind to help children love Jesus and understand Scripture.

KidZ at Heart aims specifically to equip churches and children’s ministry workers to reach and teach children within their own culture – without the need for costly curriculum.

For more information on KidZ at Heart please click here