The Children’s Ministries Department (CHM) of the General Conference of Seventh-Day Adventists has taken a bold step to ensure children worldwide have access to a transformative and spiritually enriching experience, its ministry leaders said during a presentation to the 2023 Annual Council in Silver Spring, Maryland, United States, on October 9.

In an era when technology is deeply embedded in our daily lives, the new Armor of God Kids (AofG) app is a powerful digital tool designed to guide children through the principles of the Armor of God found in Ephesians 6, they said.

A Faith-Building Journey for Children

The AofG app is more than an educational tool; it’s a captivating adventure that brings the teachings of the Bible to life, ministry leaders said. Through the engaging story of siblings Anya and Aidan, children of Christian workers at a refugee camp, users are immersed in a thrilling treasure hunt that serves as a vehicle to teach the essential principles of the Armor of God. The primary objective of the AofG app is to anchor children’s faith in God and equip them to face anxiety, fear, and temptations, leaders explained.

The app features six interactive activities to teach each of the pieces of spiritual armor. These activities include word searches, jigsaw puzzles, coloring pages, custom interactive memory verses, Bible stickers, and music lyric videos. This multifaceted approach ensures children are not only learning but also having fun while doing so.

According to CHM director Orathai Chureson, “children understand better while learning through stories. The stories of the Armor of God Kids app teach the principles of the Armor of God through relational interaction with the primary characters and the non-Christian community around them, much like the ministry of Jesus. The principles of God are not removed from the community around us, and that is demonstrated through the app; we grow in our community while staying faithful to the lessons learned from Scripture.”

A Digital Evangelism Tool

One of the most remarkable aspects of the AofG app, according to Chureson, is the ability to bridge the gap between young minds and the Bible. It serves as a digital evangelism tool, “a net cast to capture the interest of Generation Alpha.” she said. “This is Children Ministries’ net, which we will use to help get the kids interested in the Bible. We hope they get tangled in God’s love with the net that we throw.”

The app is not static but continually evolving to meet the needs of its young users, Chureson said. CHM plans to introduce comic books as a feature in the near future, enhancing the app’s visual appeal and educational value. According to Chureson, “children will be exposed to different things at the same time. They [will] have fun learning the truth, biblical truth, and [it will also be] something that inspires them to be faithful to God.”

Positive Feedback and Growing Impact

Initial feedback from users is overwhelmingly positive, with children expressing enjoyment and parents expressing gratitude for a wholesome and spiritually enriching app, Chureson said. “We have kids saying ‘Thank you for doing this. I enjoy learning about the Bible, but I’m lazy to read from the Bible. This is something really helpful to understand how God is so loving that He is thinking for us in every area, every aspect, helping us,’” she said.

CHM actively collaborates with the General Conference Communication Department to optimize visibility in app stores, ensuring it reaches a broader audience, Chureson said. “The goal is to make the AofG app easily discoverable so more children can benefit from its rich content daily,” she said. “The Armor of God Kids app is not just an app; it’s a transformative tool that empowers children to grow in faith and understanding of the Bible while having fun.” She added that with ongoing updates, collaborations, and a commitment to making the Bible accessible to the younger generation, CHM is spearheading a digital revolution in children's ministry.

A Grateful Acknowledgment

Chureson said it’s essential to recognize the generous donor who supported this project. Their name remains undisclosed, but their passion for creating a tool to help young people fall in love with the Bible has played a pivotal role in making it possible, she said. Their commitment to enriching the lives of children through digital means is truly commendable. The donor “has a passion to reach children, and we will continually be thankful.”

According to CHM leaders, the Armor of God Kids app “is a beacon of hope and a pathway to a deeper connection with God for the children of our global community and beyond. It's an invitation to explore, learn, and grow in faith — one download at a time.”

Armor of God Kids app is now available for download on the App Store and Google Play.

The original version of this story was posted by ANN.