Pouring Into Preschoolers
By Amanda Buck , OMS Europe / Middle East , Communications Team
We often think of revitalizing and restoring communities through large projects and interventions after major trauma or when those communities seem to be on their last leg . We all love a good “ total makeover ,” right ? But what if revitalizing and transforming a community could be more organic and begin without the urgency of a disaster ? Say , through creating a cornerstone of community that pours truth and love into children from an early age ?
The American Preschool Academy ( APA ) in Budapest , Hungary , will do just that . As the largest business as mission project in OMS ’ Europe / Middle East region , the preschool is a prime example of creating sustainable businesses that tangibly serve a community ’ s needs and generate a steady revenue stream to fund even more , often local , ministries . In this way , the business becomes an integral part of its neighborhood , sharing God ’ s love with the people living there every day while maintaining an eye on the bigger picture and funding ministry beyond itself for years to come .
Our business as mission team in the Europe / Middle East region is passionate about finding and meeting what they have called the “ double bottom line ” that exists in businesses launched to create and revitalize Christ-centered communities across the globe . The first bottom line exists in the business world , starting a successful and sustainable business . The second bottom line comes when considering the impact on individuals and how the business could impact its customers for Christ through the goods and services it offers .
God works powerfully through the creation of these businesses as people use their vocational skills to build the kingdom of God in their own backyards . And as the businesses succeed financially , they can use their profits to fund even more ministries .
In a way that only God could orchestrate , the APA is uniquely situated to make a huge impact on the kingdom of God in Budapest . Studies indicate that a person ’ s worldview is primarily formed by the age of 10 , and the Hungarian government requires that all children attend preschool beginning at age 3 . Unfortunately , the school system in Hungary is both overpopulated and largely shame-based , meaning children are motivated more by discipline than encouragement . Because of these factors , a Christian preschool that also offers English language , which is important in Eastern Europe , creates an organic space to impact both children and their families through daily interactions .
Who knows what fruit will come years down the road from providing this Christ-centered space to these young children today ?
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