God's Heart for Children: Practical Theology from Global Perspectives

In the New Testament, Jesus is explicit in communicating God's heart for children. Yet what does it look like for that heart to encounter the contextual realities of life in the twenty-first century?

This book explores the theological implications and practical realities of ministry with children in a globalized world. Affirming eight core beliefs regarding the place of children in creation - that they are created with dignity and intended to be placed in families, cared for in community, advocated by society, secured in hope, affirmed in God's church, included in God's mission, and engaged in creation care - this book traces the impact of such far-reaching issues as displacement, climate change, human trafficking, persecution, and gender discrimination on childhood development. Written by over twenty contributors from around the world, each section roots its premise in contextual theology, examines the implications for praxis, provides a case study, and includes questions for discussion and reflection.

Through each chapter the conversation around childhood development is broadened, prioritizing the experiences of children and practitioners to truly reflect the realities of our changing world. This is an excellent resource for all those concerned with the current risks facing children, especially among the world's most vulnerable populations, and what best practice looks like as the people of God work to bring God's heart, and hope, to children in their communities and beyond.

ROSALIND TAN is a project consultant, trainer, lecturer, and researcher who is actively involved in community development, spearheading preschools for indigenous children in rural and urban settings. She has a PhD in education from AGST Alliance, where she serves as education director.

NATIVITY A. PETALLAR has worked with children in both church and academic settings for more than twenty years. She has a DTh in Christian education and practical ministry from Asia Baptist Graduate Theological Seminary and currently serves as the associate dean of PhD studies at the Asia-Pacific Nazarene Theological Seminary, Taytay, Philippines.

LUCY A. HEFFORD is an educator with experience in intercultural ministry and development. She has an MTh from the University of Oxford, UK, and is a PhD candidate at Fuller Theological Seminary, California, USA, where she is researching local and contextual theologies of children. She also serves as researcher of theology and practice for the Viva Network, a Christian NGO working with children internationally.