Even countries that have been closed to the Gospel are willing to let the ministry come because it presents an alternative to the loose morals communicated in the music and movies of Western youth culture, he said. Giving children the message of Christ is an important means to evangelizing their countries, he said. They will go home and be missionaries and take the Word of God where moms and dads and brothers and sisters can hear it. Teams from local churches spend a week giving out books at schools and inviting students to evangelistic services the next weekend at churches, city parks and stadiums. Children bring their parents, and about 90 percent of those who come are not Christians, he said.
Local pastors preach at the services and integrate converts into their churches.
About 115,000 people became Christians through this kind of outreach in Lima, Peru, this summer, he said. Four teams from the United States worked with eight local churches to reach schools in various parts of the city. Some children also give out the books to other children. Children have the ability to minister to people but seldom get the opportunity, Smelser said. They have so much to give and they have such a passion.