Show notes
How can the church and higher education take children seriously in discipleship? Esther Zimmerman, Program Chair of Undergraduate Ministry Studies at Lancaster Bible College and global advocate for children, joins us to share her journey in children’s ministry and her conviction that investing in kids is one of the most strategic ways to advance the kingdom of God. We explore why children are often overlooked, how broken systems leave them vulnerable, and what faithful discipleship looks like for the next generation. From sobering global statistics to hopeful grassroots stories, this episode calls the church to put children at the center of ministry, not the margins.🎧 Tune In to Discover ✅ Why children’s ministry is the most strategic investment for the future of the church ✅ How cultural perceptions have reduced ministry to babysitting rather than discipleship ✅ What global realities reveal about children’s vulnerability and the church’s response ✅ How higher education can shape leaders to take children seriously in theology and practice🎙️ Inside the Episode 02:18 Esther’s journey into children’s ministry and why she stayed 05:34 Misconceptions of children’s ministry in the West vs. globally 09:15 Why broken systems place the heaviest weight on children 12:01 Troubling trends and hopeful signs in global children’s ministry 18:37 Three practical ways to disciple and advocate for children 24:10 How seminaries and Bible colleges can integrate children into their curriculumCheck out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:Global Children’s ForumBible Centered Ministries InternationalWorld Evangelical Alliance Children’s NetworkLausanne Children's ForumTo hear this interview and many more like it, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website, or search for Biblical Higher Ed Talk in your favorite podcast player.The Biblical Higher Ed Talk podcast is proud to be a part of The Higher Ed Marketer Podcast Network.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
