Lucy Kajidori, leader of the International Council of Evangelical Theological Education’s (ICETE) Impact Team on Children and Families, recently sat down with Christian Daily International to discuss the “4-14 Window” and what churches need to do to impact the next generation. The 4-14 Window is based on studies that show the majority of people come to faith between the ages of 4 to 14 years old. George Barna focused on this crucial age in his book Transforming Children into Spiritual Champions, where he pointed out that 32 percent of people come to faith between 5 and 12, but only six percent will come to faith after 19. In a 2015 poll by the National Association of Evangelicals, the group found that 63 percent of its members came to faith between the ages four and 14. “If people do not embrace Jesus Christ as their Savior before they reach their teenage years, the chance of their doing so at all is slim,” concluded Barna.

Kajidori, however, said that despite the fact that people come to faith so young, theological education has fallen behind in educating the next generation. “Well, half of the world’s population is under 18,” she said. “Yet, if you look at theological training institutions, the vast majority offer no training on ministry to children or youth. And those that do often treat it as a very separate, specialist field—only for those training to be children’s pastors or youth workers.” She noted that the 4-14 Window makes children and teen ministries vital, yet that theological education tends to teach them as niche interests, without educating the broader pastoral staff in how to reach those demographics.

She highlighted three problems that have hindered evangelical effectiveness, noting that key players like families, seminaries, and children’s ministries operate in silos. She also cited a need for locally developed curriculum that focuses on children and young people. Finally, Kajidori stressed the fact that many theological institutions just “don’t take children seriously.” Kajidori said ICETE is trying to correct this by ensuring that students take modules related to children’s ministry. “We want it to become a normal, expected part of theological education around the world,” she said.

A focus on children’s ministry within a church can also impact a church’s ability to bring in others. “A church that is great at helping 4- to 14-year-olds flourish spiritually will attract those who are looking for a church to call home. If a church wants to be missional with families, it must be missional with the kids,” Steve Chang of Living Hope Community Church in Brea, California said.