God forgets no one!

Missionary Beth Guckenberger shares

Tales of the Not Forgotten to introduce children to missions


We often forget how fortunate we are, the many blessings in our lives, and the extent of human suffering around the globe. How can we teach our children to grow up with hearts for others and to be mission-minded? With the help of missionary and author Beth Guckenberger, parents and Sunday school teachers can introduce children to the wonderful things that God is accomplishing around the world through Tales of the Not Forgotten (Standard Publishing/May 1, 2012, ISBN 978-0-7847-3528-2).

Written for ages 8 and up, Tales of the Not Forgotten shares a collection of four real-life stories of children from impoverished circumstances and paints a picture of God’s dynamic movement in their lives. The first in the Storyweaver series, Guckenberger inspires readers to trust that God is weaving a story in the lives of each us, writing endings they would never imagine. She takes young readers on a journey to faraway lands, introducing them to faces the world often doesn’t see, but are not forgotten by God.

Guckenberger and her husband are founders of Back2Back Ministries, an international Christian non-profit organization dedicated to being a voice for orphans and existing to love and care for orphans and impoverished children. One of the stories is especially close to Guckenberger and her family–-the story of Joel who lives in an orphanage near Monterrey, Mexico where they have lived and served as missionaries for 15 years. Each of the four stories focuses on a child from one of the countries in which Back2Back ministries has a campus (Mexico, Nigeria, India and Haiti).

Sharing stories of hope from those she has met is not new to Guckenberger, but her two previous books have been written to an adult audience. As a mother, she felt called to turn her attention to a younger audience with this release. “I see my own kids asking questions about the issues they are aware of around the world,” says Guckenberger. “As a missionary, I serve alongside so many families that travel here on a short-term trip. Those experiences provoke good discussions they take back home with them. I wanted a book that would spark those kinds of conversations of substance at the dinner table and in the minivan, but without having to travel. I also wanted a book that addressed what God was doing instead of what man wasn’t as to not sound guilt-driven.”
Tales of the Not Forgotten shrinks the big picture down to approachable, individual stories of real children and teaches about fundamental survival issues. The stories address some of the challenging questions that kids have and weave God's promises to orphans into each one. Preteens will be challenged to answer the questions: How do I pray? What can I give? Where can I go? Who will I serve?

Also available is the Tales of the Not Forgotten Leader’s Guide (ISBN: 978-0-7847-3527-5), a 6-session kids' missions resource that walks adults through an easy-to-follow guide and action plan to help others. The guide is designed for parents to use at home or for Christian schools, VBS settings and Sunday Schools and is filled with fun activities, compelling stories, biblical teaching, and practical applications.  The activities can be customized for 15, 30 or 60 minutes, depending on the setting.

For more information about Beth and Back2Back Ministries, visit www.bethguckenberger.com or www.back2backministries.org.

About the Author:

Beth Guckenberger and her husband, Todd, are the founders of Back2Back Ministries (based in Cincinnati, OH) which communicates a lifestyle of service by sharing the love of Christ and serving God through service to others.  Back2Back Ministries connects willing workers to open hearts through international and local ministry opportunities.  Their ministry is currently caring and providing for orphan children and needy people in Mexico, Nigeria, India and most recently, Haiti. 

Beth travels and speaks regularly at women’s and missions conferences, as well as youth gatherings and church services.  Her topics include orphan care, missions, parenting, marriage/intimacy, and faith.  Her story-telling style captures audiences, and she draws from her field experience as a missionary and parent for illustrations to biblical concepts.

In addition to her latest release, Tales of the Not Forgotten (Standard Publishing 2012), Beth has written Relentless Hope (Standard, 2011) and Reckless Faith (Zondervan, 2008).

The Guckenberger family lives and serves in Monterrey, Mexico where they have hosted thousands of guests on their ministry campus. Between biological, foster, and adopted additions to their family, Beth and Todd are raising nine children.

Beth Guckenberger is available for interviews to promote the release of Tales of the Not Forgotten. To request a review copy, schedule an interview or for more information, please contact Audra Jennings, audra@litfusegroup.com

Comments

Thomas said…
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!