In late October 2024, the Mopán Maya Iglesia del Nazareno, located in Belmopan, Belize, was the site of an impactful workshop titled “Holistic Care Among Children and How to Develop a Child Development Center.” 

This workshop aimed to provide critical tools and knowledge to assist those working with the youngest children. The training was organized by the church’s discipleship ministry to equip educators and ministries with the necessary information to address the diverse needs of children and provide them with comprehensive training that prepares them to face future challenges.

The workshop's primary facilitator, Marlen Soria, coordinator for Comprehensive Child Development and MesoKids for the Mesoamerica Region, came from Panama to share her experience and knowledge. Together with her husband, Benjamin Soria, regional coordinator for Nazarene Youth International (NYI), they also presented the work and projects NYI develops in the region. Both shared their passion for children's ministry, encouraging the leaders present to apply what they learned in their ministries and the daily lives of the children they interact with.

During the workshop, participants had the opportunity to delve deeper into the psychological, social, and spiritual aspects that influence child development. A central theme was recognizing and addressing internal and external factors affecting children's growth and well-being. This comprehensive perspective will enable teachers and leaders to teach and understand children's situations better, presenting them with the message of Jesus in a contextualized and empathetic way.

The workshop also highlighted how Jesus loved and valued children, as described in the Scriptures, and reaffirmed the Church of the Nazarene's commitment to children's ministry in the region. In this context, participants reflected on developing appropriate spaces, such as Child Development Centers, that can provide comprehensive care and promote the youngest children's physical, emotional, social, and spiritual well-being.

Pastor Rolando Cowo expressed his gratitude for the visit of Marlen Soria and her family, who could see the work of the Northern District of Belize up close. During their visit, they saw three primary schools and one secondary school.

Cowo noted that the training transformed his vision of children's ministry. He expressed his desire for forming a solid team in the children's ministry in the Northern District, supported by the Mesoamerica Region. He felt especially challenged to work on the integral development of the children of Iglesia del Nazareno Betel and in the communities of Las Flores, Belmopan, praying that each child would reach their full potential.

As the director of children's ministry, Cowo also reflected on the importance of reaching out to children in Belize, who comprise a significant portion of the population: 39.4% are between 0 and 18 years old. Finally, he asked for prayers for the children of "Jerusalem" (Belize) to be witnesses of Christ, taking his message to all corners of the world.

With these initiatives, the Church of the Nazarene in Belize continues to strengthen its work in order to impact the lives of children and prepare leaders to be agents of change, modeling the love and care that Jesus showed towards the little ones.

--Church of the Nazarene Mesoamerica Region