DATE: 23 February – 6 March 2020
WHERE: Petra Institute, Numbi Road, White River, Mpumalanga
COURSE DESCRIPTION
The purpose of the course is to provide skills, knowledge and values for Christian faith workers to support emotionally wounded children on a primary level. The course introduces the participants to:
– understanding trauma and its effects and assessing emotionally wounded children
– principles of healing relationships and active listening
– skills and tools to assist in the support of emotionally wounded children
– a theological framework for faith-based psycho-social support of emotionally wounded children
OUTCOMES
At the end of the training, the participants can:
If you really want to experience what “Relational Children’s Ministry” is about, you should do this course!

Yvonne Chan, Head of Children’s Ministry of the International Baptist Church Singapore, gives feedback after completing the Online Relational Children’s Ministry course:

“Yvonne, if you compare yourself to before you did the course, how would you describe the general growth and changes this course has brought you?”
“I discovered the value of making a conscious effort to create a fun place for our kids to connect with one another and to build relationship. It is not about having difficult activities, but a very simple game or just an “emotional” card that can prepare our kids to receive God’s Word. When we trust God as the master of the plan, a simple game in the beginning of the lesson can make a huge impact.
Afrikaans Nuusbrief

“Ons wereld het grootliks verander sedert die stigting van die Kinderevangeliste Opleidingsinstituut (KEO) in Ermelo in 1989. Vanselfsprekend het die organisasie en ons werkswyses oor die afgelope dertig jaar dramaties verander.”
English Newsletter

“Our world has changed greatly since the founding of the Child Evangelism Training Institute (CET) in Ermelo in 1989. Obviously, the organization and our methods have changed dramatically over the past 30 years.”
The butterfly effect

In 1972 the meteorologist Edward Lorenz presented a paper at a scientific convention titled “Does the flap of a butterfly’s wings in Brazil set off a tornado in Texas?” Based on careful mathematical calculations, he proved that the way weather conditions turn out depends on the sometimes minuscule factors influencing it in the initial stages. This came to be known as the ‘Butterfly Effect’ – a very small change in initial conditions can create a significantly different outcome. The concept is not new and can be found in fields varying from civil engineering to quantum physics to video games. It is a theme often found in novels and films.
A ‘chance’ meeting at an exhibition
1997 – World Trade Centre, Nasrec, Johannesburg: Fanie Richter and Laetitia Bull man a booth at a missions expo. A Ghanaian pastor, dr. Koduah, stops to learn more about Petra Institute and requests to receive the newsletter in future.
Children’s movement of forgiveness

The Central African Republic is a country with much potential. It is rich in raw materials and has good agricultural soil. But different rebel groups cause havoc in the country – almost 300 000 people fled the country, a further 643 000 has been displaced within the country and many, including children, lost their lives. In the past three years, Petra Institute presented advocacy workshops for leaders, and a selected group of leaders have been trained in children’s ministry skills as well as a few skills to assist traumatised children.
Baie dankie!

Baie dankie dat jy saamgebid het, bygedra en ondersteun het, sodat die Saamloop met Seerkrykinders-kursus onlangs op verskeie plekke aangebied kon word. Lees verder oor die belewenisse van deelnemers.
Thank You!

Thank you that you prayed, contributed and supported us so that the Walking with Wounded Children (WWWC) course could be presented in various places. A group of tutors have been trained in Singapore in how to train others and it also has been presented at Kylemore outside Stellenbosch in the Western Cape.
Wêreldwyd en/of Suid-Afrika?

Studente wat die Verhoudingsgerigte Kinderbediening aanlynkursus doen, leer meer oor groepwerk en verhoudingsbou.
Worldwide and/or South Africa

Relational Children’s Ministry course participants learning more about bonding and group work. This course is fully online, but there is a compulsory practical week students have to attend.