by Rev. Eric Hamp
“Tunnel Vision” is defined as single vision and extreme narrow mindedness, to focus on only one thing in front of you. This describes many Christians’ worldview. It is easy to get focused on only that which concerns and affects you and your family. We are called to be salt and light in the world, not just our four walls. The ministry of Global Focus through INCM is that of training and equipping people who are ministering to children and families all over the world. I have had the opportunity to see first hand what God is doing around the globe.
Last November, I was able to go to the country of Uganda and minister and train in Lira and Kampala. This was a great blessing as I had previously been there in 2005 and the country was still in shock from civil war and tyranny. Five years later, I could see how God had changed lives and answered prayers. The atmosphere was different and the people full of hope again. We conducted a training conference in conjunction with Child Ladder ministries in Lira and over 150 people came from all over Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to receive hands-on training from our team. I saw the hunger for more in their eyes. I had people coming to me with pages of books I had left five years ago, which was the only resource they have for children’s ministry. At the end of the week they had notebooks full of ideas and creative “sparks” to take the ministry to the next level, thanks to our partners at CPC.
I then traveled back to the capital city of Kampala and had the privilege to speak to the students at the Yesu Akwagala Bible College. I challenged these future leaders to cultivate the talents that God has placed inside them to reach the young people. That young people would follow them as they follow Christ and get a vision to take Uganda back for the Lord.
Next, I ended up in Ethiopia. I teamed up with Evangelist Daniel King and Joshua Ministries and we conducted Pastor’s School for up to 1,000 pastors and leaders each morning in Wando Genet. I was able to teach workshops on the importance of ministering to children in a country where children’s ministry is foreign. The children mimic the adults and the only form of church they know is what the see. Now the pastors know they need to purposefully minister at a level children can receive.
I always like to do hands-on training after days of lecture; we advertised a children’s rally and 5,000 children showed up to get our 36,000 pieces of candy and the gospel! The ministry time was excellent and orderly. The children all heard the good news and responded, but when we began the candy distribution, all order was gone. The vision of the children changed in an instant and all they could see was CANDY!
In the evening the crowds swelled to 35,000 people hungry to hear the word of God and see signs, wonders and miracles!
This year we have been asked to go into the nations of Hong Kong, Dubai and Bangladesh to see what God is doing there and how we can help fulfill the vision. In Hong Kong, we will conduct a training conference in a land that is now open to ministry and looking for creative ways of reaching children.  Bangladesh is having a national conference for the leaders who minister to families and have asked that we be a major part of this year’s event. The United Arab Emerates will hold a children’s camp in Dubai and we will train the leaders there and then provide ministry and programming for this year’s camp. If you would like to join us on any of these adventures contact our office today to learn more. Let your vision expand as to what God would use you to do in His Kingdom!
As I look forward to the future of INCM and the Global Focus ministry I am excited and expectant of all that God has in store for us and for His children all over the world. Our new Executive Director has a “glocal” vision for this ministry (global and local) to see the lives of children changed and to reach the 2.2 billion children of the world. I hope and pray you will catch the vision of INCM and join us in doing our part to SERVE God as we SERVE those who SERVE children!
For more information about how to partner with us or join us for any of our Global Focus trips you can e-mail Eric at [email protected] or give us a call at 800-324-4543.
