What is a mission-minded child?

FOLLOW CAELA’S 1st MISSION TRIP:  March 1 - 11, mission-minded Caela Rose Dunagan (age 12) will be going on her first missionary adventure . . . to UGANDA, E. AFRICA!!! She will be accompanying her mom, Ann Dunagan, to checkup on hundreds of children at Harvest Ministry’s two orphanages (Osanidde Village and Guma Na Yesu Children’s Center) and to minister at a Village Women’s Conference.

Stay tuned for Caela’s personal mission updates on our twitter-feed (or see the side bar right here on this website for recent entries) -#CaelaOnMission.

A mission-minded child may want to become a missionary–or a teacher or a doctor or a newspaper reporter or a state governor or a pastor or a businessperson or an airplane pilot or an author or a florist or a mother–as long as its what God wants.

The following excerpt is a highlight from the introduction of The Mission-Minded Child - Raising a New Generation to Fulfill God’s Purpose (Authentic, 2007). Hope you enjoy it!

So, what is a mission-minded child?

A mission-minded child . . .

• dreams of fulfilling God’s destiny.
• prays for that next-door neighbor.
• A mission-minded child may want to become a missionary–or a teacher or a doctor or a newspaper reporter or a state governor or a pastor or a businessperson or an airplane pilot or an author or a florist or a mother–as long as its what God wants.
• is not a picky eater!
• takes home a photo magnet from the visiting missionary family and puts it on the kitchen refrigerator.
• is healthy, active, and adventurous.
• spends a summer night sleeping outside on the trampoline, gazes up at a sky filled with twinkling stars, and realizes God’s plan is infinitely bigger than his or her own backyard.
• imagines rollerblading on the Great Wall of China!
• recognizes the names of David Livingstone, Amy Carmichael, Hudson Taylor, and Loren Cunningham.
• knows how to use chopsticks.
• has a reputation for thoroughly enjoying the Bible sword drills and memory verse contests at church.
• puts extra money in the monthly missions offering and feels extra good inside.
• thinks it could be fun to sleep in a mud hut in Africa!
• reads all the way through the Bible by the age of ten (or eleven or twelve)–and is excited to start again!
• stares at the photos in the new geography textbook or magazine and imagines climbing to the top of that Egyptian pyramid, snorkeling in those tropical-blue waters, and giving a new outfit to that poor boy with the ripped-up shirt.
• befriends the new kid at school.
• thinks beyond the “box” of what’s merely expected and hopes to do something big, or something little, for God.
• wants to obey (even when no one is looking).
• loves Jesus!

For Christian parents and teachers, “world missions” is not just an extracurricular subject to teach our kids, it’s the core of our curriculum. Let’s raise the next generation to have a passion for God’s Great Commission. As Hudson Taylor (a famous missionary to China) often said, “The Great Commission is not an option to consider, it’s a command to obey.”

And how about adding to our list!!!  How are you raising your children to have God’s heart for the world and His Great Commission, and in your childrens lives (in day-to-day routines and in your “where-the-rubber-meets-the-road” reality) what is it like to be a genuine mission-minded child in your experience?

Now it’s your turn:

A mission-minded child . . .

ON THE LIGHT SIDE: The Filipino Cure for Fleas

Our family was in a remote Filipino village on one of our first missionary trips, and the national pastor hosting us was very nervous.

“I’ve never hosted foreigners and don’t know what to feed you,” he said.

“Oh, we’re easy to please,” we responded naively. “Just relax; we’ll eat whatever you put before us.”

A few minutes later the pastor introduced us to the church women who were going to be cooking our food. One of them was eating this very different looking egg. It was black; and as she cracked it open, she started tugging at the insides–pulling out a black embryonic chick!

We found out that balut (a fertilized duck egg with a nearly developed embryo that is boiled and eaten in the shell) was a common Filipino food . . . and we were nervous.

The people gave us an esteemed room in the village — the only one with a rug. Unfortunately, the rug was totally infested with fleas; and within a few days my legs were covered with flea bites.

When the pastor saw the bug bites, he said, “Oh, that is terrible. We must do something about those fleas biting you. Yes, there is only one thing to do.”

“What is that?” we asked.

“Well, we must eat the dog. I was going to save it for a party, but I think we must eat it now.”

A few days later, Jon came into our room. “Guess what we’re having for dinner,” he said with a raised eyebrow.

Not balut, I hoped. (I didn’t know if I was that good of a missionary yet.)

I went to visit the church women and to see our menu for myself. These precious ladies were cutting up some strange white-looking meat. When I asked what it was, they talked among themselves in their Filipino language of Tagolog and then went to find someone who could interpret.

A few minutes later one woman came in and distinctly pronounced with wonderful enunciation the new English word she had just learned.

“Dog.” she said.

“Dog?” I timidly asked, as my mind whirled with memories of special pets from my childhood.

The woman clarified herself: “Yes, you know — Ruff! Ruff!”

Yes, I knew far too well. But that’s what we and our kids had for dinner that night. Our menu actually consisted of nearly-raw dog meat and fried dog intestines.

And we still had fleas!

This story was excerpted from Ann’s book, The Mission-Minded Child - Raising a New Generation to Fulfill God’s Purpose (Authentic, 2007), Chapter 11, “Making Missions Fun - At Home, School, and Church”

Raising Missionaries - by Laurel Diacogiannis

“We didn’t make a plan to raise up missionaries; we made a plan to raise up children who joyfully love and serve our Lord. Whether He calls them to the military, to missions, to teaching, to the pastorate … it doesn’t matter. Really … ALL we have wanted for our children (career wise) is for them to love and serve the Lord in whatever they might do. And, that’s exactly what they are doing.” - Laurel Diacogiannis

Raising Missionaries

We are honored to feature this special guest article, written by speaker and writer (and our good friend) Laurel Diacogiannis of A Journey of Faith. Jim & Laurel Diacogiannis are mission-minded homeschooling parents of 13 children (ages 7-24), including three adopted children from Ghana, West Africa.

 

Recently, someone asked me how I have raised up 3 children who have chosen to live overseas in service to the Lord.  (I have one child serving the Lord in Argentina for the next 2 years; one in Jordan for the next 2 years; and one currently in India as part of a 6 month missions outreach.) This woman went on to say that it is exciting when even one child from a family chooses such a personal journey … but for 3 to choose a similar journey was quite unbelievable for her.

No, we did not tell our children, “When you grow up, you should be a missionary.”  We did not focus all of our homeschool curriculum on missions (which would not at all have been a bad thing, it just wasn’t something that we thought of).  So, what did we do?

1. We demonstrated an active, everyday, personal walk with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The heart of a true missionary must come from such a daily, vibrant relationship with the Lord, that they absolutely know, without a shadow of a doubt, that they are called into missions work.
2. We trusted God for financial provision, when having 13 children and a teacher’s salary don’t match up on the budget spreadsheet. Our kids know that the Lord will provide for their needs.  They grew up learning how to pray, and how to trust God for the outcome.
3. We talked about and read about missionaries … ordinary people doing extraordinary things for God. One year, each of the children that knew how to read (7 kids that year, I think), read the Trailblazer Books or Christian Heroes Then and Now series (both from YWAM Publishing) for their homeschool history course.
4. We watched videos of missionaries. The Gladys Aylward story (The Inn of the Sixth Happiness) was our first, I think.
5. We went to hear missionary speakers. Cassie told us at age 10 or 11 that she wanted to go to India, after hearing (and meeting) K.P. Yohannan.  (And, that dream came true when she was 21, after previous trips to Haiti, Senegal, and The Gambia.)
6. We supported missionaries. (We have supported Gospel for Asia, K.P. Yohannan’s ministry for over 15 years.)
7. We took our family on Mission Trips. In 2001, we took all 9 children to work in inner-city Los Angeles for 10 days.  We weren’t afraid to take them to the ghetto, to work at a church there.  In 2006, we took all 10 children to New Orleans for 2 weeks.  Just the other day, Elijah (who was only 4 at the time) asked me, “Mom, do you remember when we went to New Orleans and gave all the presents to the kids there?”  We didn’t buy our children any Christmas Presents that year, but not one ever complained … they were filled with joy to be giving presents to the children in New Orleans.

Seriously, we didn’t make a plan to “raise up missionaries”.  We made a plan to raise up children who joyfully love and serve Our Lord.  Whether He calls them to the military, to missions, to teaching, to the pastorate … it doesn’t matter.  Really … ALL we have wanted for our children (career wise) is for them to love and serve the Lord in whatever they might do.  And, that’s exactly what they are doing.

While we have 3 young adults serving the Lord overseas, we also have 3 young adults serving the Lord here on the homefront.  And, we have 7 younger children, still at home, that we are raising up to follow the Lord, follow their dreams, follow their passions, and to be excited wherever it may be that the Lord leads them.

This article is an excerpt from “What Does the Future Look Like for Our Children?”, first published on Laurel’s blog - “I’m Ghana Adopt.”

For more about raising mission-minded children, and having a mission-minded family:

The Mission-Minded Child - Raising a New Generation to Fulfill God’s Purpose
The Mission-Minded Family - Releasing Your Family to God’s Destiny
FREE - The 40-Day Mission-Minded FAMILY CHALLENGE

The Challenge: DAY 12 - Prayer #2

A Place to PRAY!

Welcome to DAY 12 of the 40-Day Mission-Minded FAMILY CHALLENGE! Today’s challenge focuses on establishing a specific PLACE for your personal devotion time and quoting a prayer by missionary martyr, Betty Scott Stam, the importance of surrendering everything to the Lord.

Feel free to leave comments and feedback. Let’s encourage one another to become more mission-minded.

C’mon . . . Take the Challenge!

• Recommended Mission Resource: Tracking Your Walk - YWAM Kid’s Prayer Journal
• Missionary Quote by Betty Scott Stam
• Geography Quiz at lizardpoint.com: Africa
• Memory Verses: Mark 1:35

FREE Book - The Mission-Minded Child - Giveaway!!!

For fun at the end of this week (and to encourage more comments and interactions!!!) we are going to give away a FREE copy - with FREE shipping too! - of The Mission-Minded Child - Raising a New Generation to Fulfill God’s Purpose. To enter the drawing, simply make a comment on one of this week’s (Day 11 to Day 15) 40-Day Mission-Minded FAMILY CHALLENGE posts. For each comment you make (up to one per day), you will receive one entry — and if you also post a link to this 40-Day CHALLENGE on your blog or website, you’ll get an extra entry. This Friday afternoon, June 26th, we will announce the winner!

(By the way, rather saying Jesus was “so busy” during His time on earth, I prefer to say that He had such a vast eternal purpose to fulfill in such a short 3-year period. One remarkable aspect about the life of Jesus is that He was never “stressed” or overly “busy-busy” like we often are.)

The Challenge: DAY 11 - Prayer #1

A Time to PRAY!

Welcome to DAY 11 of the 40-Day Mission-Minded FAMILY CHALLENGE!

Today’s challenge focuses on establishing a specific TIME for prayer. Learn Hudson Taylor’s “spiritual secret” for effective ministry: TIME ALONE WITH GOD.

Feel free to leave comments and feedback. Let’s encourage one another to become more mission-minded.

C’mon . . . Take the Challenge!

• Recommended Mission Resource: Hero Tales - Volume I
• Missionary Quote by Hudson Taylor
• Geography Quiz at lizardpoint.com: Africa
• Memory Verses: Psalm 37:4-5

FREE Book - The Mission-Minded Child - Giveaway!!!

For fun at the end of this week (and to encourage more comments and interactions!!!) we are going to give away a FREE copy - with FREE shipping too! - of The Mission-Minded Child - Raising a New Generation to Fulfill God’s Purpose. To enter the drawing, simply make a comment on one of this week’s (Day 11 to Day 15) 40-Day Mission-Minded FAMILY CHALLENGE  posts. For each comment you make (up to one per day), you will receive one entry — and if you also post a link to this 40-Day CHALLENGE on your blog or website, you’ll get an extra entry. This Friday afternoon,  June 26th, we will announce the winner!

40-Day Mission-Minded FAMILY CHALLENGE!

You are invited to take a FREE Online Mission Class:

Introducing the 40-DAY Mission-Minded FAMILY CHALLENGE!!!

It’s eight-weeks to becoming more effective . . . for eternity! (Just 5 minutes a day!)

For several months, this idea for a “40-Day Mission-Minded Family CHALLENGE” has been stirring in my heart. The vision is to provide eight weeks (Monday through Friday) of FREE on-line encouragement to motivate you and your family to become more effective for eternity.

I warn you. These online videos won’t be slick, glossy, or high-tech; but they will be biblical, focused, and heart-felt. In just 5 minutes a day, you and your family will be motivated to love God, and to love others. You’ll be challenged to guard the gates of your home, to raise the bar for your kids (for God’s glory), and to move beyond the typical self-centered focus our “Me-First” culture to focus more on the huge needs of our world and to seek God for your part in His Great Commission.

Throughout these 40 days, we’ll be referencing my three-book mission-minded set:

1. Hand Commands - The Ten Commandments for Little Ones
   
2. The Mission-Minded Child - Raising  a New Generation to Fulfill God’s Purpose
   
3. The Mission-Minded Family - Releasing Your Family to God’s Destiny

This 40-Day CHALLENGE will give you the opportunity to get a FREE “sneak-peak” of these resources . . . or if you can follow along with your own copies, you’ll be encouraged to apply the vision of these mission-minded books into your daily family life.

Every day will include a hard-hitting missionary quote, a quick-look at a particular geographical area of the world, a look at a recommended missionary biography book or resource tool, a targeted mission-minded Bible verse, and a practical (and very specific) challenge for you and your family. In just eight weeks, you’ll move forward toward becoming a more effective family for eternity. Spread the word . . . invite a friend to join you in the challenge, or a young person with a heart for missions, or another family, or maybe even your Sunday school class or a home group.

Take the Challenge!

A Personal Note:

This 40-Day Mission-Minded FAMILY CHALLENGE is designed to be utilized over 8-weeks, although some families have been going through several videos (or even a week’s worth) at one time. To begin the challenge, you don’t need to “sign-up” for anything; instead, just click on a day’s title, watch the 4-5-minute video, take the suggested geography quiz-for-the-day, ponder or memorize the daily Bible verses and quotes, and then take ACTION on that day’s CHALLENGE. Suggested links and mission resources are added each day to assist you and your family in further learning. Please feel free to add your own feedback and comments . . . as you allow the Lord to draw you closer to Himself, and to stir-up more of His passion for the lost. We trust it will be a blessing (and a challenge) to you and your family!

As Hudson Taylor, the famous missionary to China said, “The Great Commission is not an option to consider, but a command to obey.”And as I say, “Missions is not just for missionaries; God’s call is for all.”

In His Love & For His Harvest,
Ann Dunagan

---

Week 1 - GET THE VISION!

MONDAY: God’s Vision - Start your “40-Day Challenge” by clicking here…
TUESDAY: God’s Compassion
WEDNESDAY: God’s Joy
THURSDAY: God’s Passion
FRIDAY: God’s Mission

Week 2 - GOD’S COMMANDS! (The Ten Commandments)

MONDAY: Hand Commands #1
TUESDAY: Hand Commands #2
WEDNESDAY: Hand Commands #3
THURSDAY: Hand Commands #4
FRIDAY: Hand Commands #5

Week 3 - PRAY TO GOD!

MONDAY: A Time to Pray
TUESDAY: A Place to Pray
WEDNESDAY: Parents who Pray
THURSDAY: Kids who Pray
FRIDAY: Families who Pray

Week 4 - GOD’S ATTITUDES! (The Beatitudes)

MONDAY: The DISCIPLES
TUESDAY: Those who MOURN
WEDNESDAY: The MEEK
THURSDAY: The MERCIFUL
FRIDAY: The PERSECUTED

Week 5 - GUARD THE GATES!

MONDAY: Stop it at the DOOR!
TUESDAY: Guard the EYE Gate
WEDNESDAY: Guard the EAR Gate
THURSDAY: Guard against EVIL influences
FRIDAY: Guard your TONGUE

Week 6 - GIVE TO GOD!

MONDAY: Stewardship
TUESDAY: Sacrifice
WEDNESDAY: Creativity
THURSDAY: Hospitality
FRIDAY: Generosity

Week 7 - GET READY TO GO!

MONDAY: Get Passports
TUESDAY: International Adventure
WEDNESDAY: The 4 Spiritual Laws
THURSDAY: The Gospel Colors
FRIDAY: The EvangeCube

Week 8 - God’s MISSION!

MONDAY: His DESTINY
TUESDAY: His PLEADING
WEDNESDAY: His LOVE
THURSDAY: His CROWNS
FRIDAY: His MISSION

The Mission-Minded Child

David Livingstone once said, “This generation can only reach this generation.” But will we raise our children to effectively impact their generation for Jesus Christ?

In The Mission-Minded Child, Ann Dunagan equips and motivates parents and teachers to raise a new generation for God’s mission, whatever that may be!

The Mission-Minded Child
Raising a New Generation to Fulfill God’s Purpose

By Ann Dunagan (Authentic, 2007)

Download a FREE SAMPLE!
BUY NOW (including discounts for BOXES of 12 or CASES of 44!!!)

Also, see Ann’s newest book:
The Mission-Minded Family: Releasing Your Family to God’s Destiny

Raising a New Generation to Fulfill God’s Purpose

The Mission-Minded Child is a practical book to encourage Christian parents and teachers placed in the strategic position of impacting the next generation. As a guide to world missions, The Mission-Minded Child is filled with facts, information, and tools for teaching. It focuses on the “why” of missions—including our Biblical basis, historical heritage and the world’s need—and contains over 25 mini-missionary biographies, motivational mission stories, classic poems, hymns, and hundreds of easy-to-use ideas.

The Mission-Minded Child will inspire teachers and parents to look for God’s potential in their child, “release” their little one to God for His purposes, and “raise” their child to fulill God’s specific mission. As a resource tool, this book will be referred to again and again.

Endorsements

Ann, you have done a fantastic job [in writing The Mission-Minded Child] . . .Just think, the mature (31-year-old) missionary of 2025 is 10 years-old-today! May this generation rise up and fulfill the Great Commission, hastening the coming of our LORD!”
– Dorothea Lander, Children’s Mobilization Coordinator for Wycliffe USA

May the Lord bless you in your publishing of this needed book. We are truly hoping the Lord will open our children’s eyes and hearts to the tremendous harvest field that they may be called to work in someday. I know that living in a Third-World country broadens our perspectives and helps us to see the bigger picture of God’s redemptive plan, so that’s what we’re praying for our children. May the Lord bless The Mission-Minded Child and your efforts for Him. – Mrs. Valerie Shepard, Pastor’s wife, missionary, homeschooling mother, and daughter of Jim & Elisabeth Elliot

We pray that The Mission-Minded Child will be a continued encouragement to your readers, to God’s glory. – Helen Davidson, assistant to the director, THE JESUS FILM

You can find The Mission-Minded Child at e316.com, ChristianBook.com, WorldChristian.com, Barnes & Noble, Amazon.com, STL - Authentic Books,

Ann’s Speaking Information & Topics

No matter what the forum, as a motivational speaker and minister, Ann Dunagan is called to “BRING FORTH LIFE!” The following are sample speaking topics and frequently requested themes; however, if you have a different idea or need, just contact Harvest Ministry.

For Missions Conventions:

• The Mission-Minded Child - Raising a New Generation for God’s Purpose
• The Mission-Minded Family - Releasing Your Family for God’s Destiny
• Our Godly Tug-of-War - Learning to Balance Dual-Passions - for Missions & our Family

NOTE: Along with mission-minded workshops for parents, teachers, and families, Ann can also be available to lead special kids workshops at mission conventions:

• Glorifying God as a Mission-Minded Kid!
• Using Hand Commands to Share the Good News of Jesus!
  

For Women’s Events:

• Living in SUB-Mission - It’s under the surface that matters!
• Get Me in Alignment! - Living a Life of Balance and Fulfillment with JOY!

For Mother-Daughter Retreats:

Ann and the Dunagan’s college-age daughter, Christi, often minister together for mother-daughter events. Two ideas are:

• Pillars in God’s Palace - A princess-theme event for little girls, based on The Princess and the Kiss and The Little Rose of Sharon and focused on the Faith of Anna, the True Beauty of Esther, the Purity of Mary, and the Excellence of the Proverbs 31 Woman.
• iPlead - an inspirational theme for older girls - about surrendering ourselves to let God “plead” through us . . . for missions, orphans, and the lost.

For Youth, College Students, and Christian Schools:

• C.L.A.S.S. Destiny - Christian Leadership and Speaking Skills
• Preparing Now for a Mission-Minded Family

Ann also leads an energetic mission-minded team of kids and youth called “The Flood” for Christian school chapel services. This special 45 minute presentation includes drama, music and dance, and a power-packed world missions theme.

• The Scarlet Cord - A Concise Message on the “Why?” of World Missions - God’s Enduring Passion for Souls - The Blood of Jesus . . .throughout time, throughout the Bible, throughout the world.

For Homeschool Conventions:

• The Mission-Minded Family - Teaching With God’s Heart for the World
• Training Teens On-Target - Making the Most of Homeschooling High School
• Playing the College Game: Winning Admissions and Scholarships . . .for God’s Glory!

Ann’s Speaking Links & References

Ann is a “Qualified Speaker” through the Christian Women’s Speaker Directory. She is also represented as an author by Literary Agents, David & Renée Sanford.

• Ann’s Speaker Page at Christian Women’s Speakers Directory
• Ann’s Homeschool Speaker and Conference Listing
• Ann’s OCEANetwork Speaker Listing (Oregon Christian Home Education Association)
• Ann’s bio - expanded version
• Ann’s Mission-Minded Books & Resources
• Upcoming & Recent Speaking Events

References:

“Ann Dunagan is the most effective and gifted children’s teacher and motivator that I have come across in my lifetime . . . Let her teacher you — listen to her — she knows how and is now sharing it with others.” – DORIS GENE STEWART, forty years of experience as a missionary to Brazil and founder of an orphanage

“I have known Jon and Ann Dunagan since 1987, and have had the privilege of being their friend, pastor, and fellow worker in the kingdom. . . Jon and Ann are people of integrity, and I have confidence that God will continue to use them greatly in this generation.” – PASTOR NELS CHURCH, director of REAP International and missionary to the Philippines

“I used this curriculum [referring to Teaching With God's Heart for the World by Ann Dunagan] with my kids a few years back and it was definitely life-changing! I have used many unit study curriculum over the 9 years I have been homeschooling, but I have to say this one was the absolute best!” – ERICA BURGAN, Homeschooling Mother

“The Mission-Minded Family, by Ann Dunagan, is an excellent thought-provoking resource to assist Christian families . . . By establishing this balance between our personal lives and our outreach to others we can enjoy a productive mission while launching a new generation into the same missionary lifestyle. By honoring God’s wisdom, our families can effectively raise our own children for the Lord, and simultaneously, reach our world with the good news of Jesus Christ.” – GREGG AND SONO HARRIS, Homeschooling pioneers and parents of seven children including Joshua Harris (author of I Kissed Dating Goodbye) and Alex and Brett Harris (authors of Do Hard Things)

“Ann Dunagan is an amazing woman of character and capability. In character, she serves her family of seven children with all the kindnesses that a mother should have and her husband with loving, willing obedience. In capability, she homeschools her children, teaches children, writes curriculum, worships like an angel, and makes herself available where needed. She lives her life with an enthusiasm for the Lord, and for others, without exception.” – PASTOR FRITZ STRANZ, Senior Pastor of Covenant Christian Hood River (the Dunagan’s pastor)

ON THE LIGHT SIDE: Mission Maker Magazine

Mission Maker Magazine

Ann’s article, “The Lighter Side of Missions,” published in Mission Maker Magazine, featured funny mission stories about rats, pit toilets, and eating grasshoppers. It’s a highlight from her book, The Mission-Minded Child - Raising a New Generation to Fulfill God’s Purpose.

Back to Mission-Minded Books & Resources