This is a journey I never thought I would take, and I am reminded that God tells us not to despise small beginnings (Zechariah 4:10) because we will see great accomplishments for the Kingdom!
It was only a decade ago that I sat at my desk, looking at the words I had written on a yellow legal pad. They were the stories I’d shared with my children when they were four and six. In those days, we’d load up our travel van with snacks, toys, and storybooks, and as my husband drove, the kids would beg, “Please, Momma, read Fast Freddy again!”
My mission was simple. I wanted to use the power of storytelling to help my children understand how God values us and how we should value others.
That’s why I created fun teaching moments in an underwater world filled with sea families. My Sea Kids “swim” through the same life issues all children experience.
The books won numerous awards and were produced into an animated series now seen on Answers.tv, Pure Flix, RightNow Media, and GoMinno.com. All from the small beginning of a handwritten story from a mother’s heart to her children.
When I landed in the world of children’s books and animation, I had no idea God would open my eyes to the needs of both children and parents. In creating the Raising Christian Kids Podcast, I could give parents free access to experts, authors, counselors, pastors, and great Christian leaders willing to share their wisdom about raising the next generation for Christ. It’s beyond exciting that my podcast is ranked in the top 2% of all podcasts. I give thanks and all the credit to the Lord! In creating the Raising Christian Kids Podcast, I could give parents free access to experts, authors, counselors, pastors, and great Christian leaders willing to share their wisdom about raising the next generation for Christ. It’s beyond exciting that my podcast is ranked in the top 2% of all podcasts. I give thanks and all the credit to the Lord!
One of the main reasons I am inspired to serve families is because our children need to be nurtured into an unshakeable faith in God.
They are the next generation of government, media, and academia leaders, the three most influential institutions that can change our country’s trajectory and the world.
According to the experts, from the preborn in the womb to the busy three-year-old, we need to prepare the soil well so we can then plant seeds into rich soil to grow deep roots. The foundation of faith is established early and hopefully strong before the age of seven. It just makes it easier to raise our children to stand strong against the current anti-Christian culture.
Jeremiah, David, and Timothy all were taught from infancy.
If, as research shows, a faith foundation is laid by age seven, we must be purposeful in teaching the youngest of children.
George Barna says: “Every respectable military strategist, educator, business manager, leader, and effective parent will agree that achieving positive outcomes rarely happens by chance. It is almost always the result of good planning and diligent implementation.”
Importantly, we must always remember that it is never too early and it is never too late to instill biblical principles and directives.
I’m excited to announce that my new book, Raising Kids to Follow Christ, Instilling a Lifelong Trust in God (Whitaker House), is filled with expert advice for parents of children of all ages, releasing in spring 2024. I have also created a 6-week parenting curriculum and leader guide for small groups and individuals currently used in church ministries.
Many parents are reaching out for help and guidance to effectively raise their children to be strong in faith and to stop the trend of 65 to 75% of children leaving their faith in high school and college.
Pew Research Center says 66% of families who believe in God with absolute certainty have a household annual income of less than $30,000. So, I realized God had a new mission for me to accomplish. That’s why I founded Raising Christian Kids, Inc., a nonprofit which provides free and affordable resources for parents who desire to become effective spiritual leaders for their children.
We’re thrilled to work with churches and parachurch organizations to provide free and affordable resources for all parents who desire to become effective spiritual leaders for their children.
Let’s all work together as the body of Christ and tell the devil, “Hands off our children!” It is about the salvation of our children and the preservation of Christianity,
Lee Ann Mancini is the founder and CEO of the 501(c)(3) nonprofit Raising Christian Kids, Inc. Lee Ann is an adjunct professor and board member at South Florida Bible College. She has three master’s degrees in biblical theological and Christian classical studies. She speaks on numerous topics about Christian parenting and was the 2022 recipient of the Jennifer Kennedy Dean Award, which recognizes “those who carry the light with excellence to a hurting world.” Find out more at RaisingChristianKids.com
