Raising Mission-Minded Kids

Author Shauna Pilgreen tells her children, “A life of comfort is a win for the Enemy. When you’re comfortable, you’re usually leaning on your own strength, which means you’re leaning less on God’s strength.”

Shauna and her family have been through numerous experiences that have taught them to rely on God in uncomfortable circumstances. It started in earnest when God led the Pilgreens from their cozy suburban life in Missouri to plant a church in San Francisco, where their lives are anything but comfortable.

On their way to school, for example, their children pass by homeless camps and must watch their step to avoid garbage and discarded drug needles littering the streets and sidewalks.

Far from being reckless with their children, Shauna and her husband decided from the beginning that they would leave the city if their children weren’t thriving or if the danger became too great. By God’s grace and His hand of protection, they’re still there after twelve years.

Helping their children thrive in that environment has not been by accident. They’ve instilled God’s perspective into their children in practical ways. When someone broke into their van, Shauna called the police and filed a report. But she did something else, too. She swept up all of the glass and saved it in a jar. The broken glass became a reminder to their family that God had moved them to that city to reach broken people. It also reminds them that they can offer broken people wholeness in Jesus Christ.

As a result of lessons like that, Shauna’s children are developing a heart of compassion and learning to seek purpose instead of comfort. They’re not only hearing about the city’s brokenness on the news, they’re witnessing it in person every day.

Shauna’s 13-year-old son, Sam, says, “God never promised that it’s going to be easy. I think the mindset we need to have is that ultimately the glory of God and what we’re doing for His kingdom overrides that any day.”

Focusing ourselves and our children on our main thing as believers in Christ is what we’re talking about on our Focus on the Family Broadcast “Raising Mission-Minded Kids.” You can hear it on your local radio station, online, on Apple Podcasts, via Google Podcasts, or on our free phone app.

Shauna Pilgreen is with us to share her family’s inspiring story of uprooting from their comfortable life in Missouri and moving to San Francisco to be missionaries. She has some creative, even out-of-the-box ideas for helping your family live with purpose for Jesus. She’s captured all of it in a book called Love Where You Live: Living Sent in the Place You Call Home. Let us put this resource into your hands. I’d like to do that for a gift of any amount. Give us a call at 1-800-A-FAMILY (232-6459) or visit our website for more information. If you can’t afford it, we’ll find a way to get it to you.

Furthering God’s kingdom is the most important thing any of us will ever do. That’s why Focus on the Family initiated an annual event called Bring Your Bible to School. This year the date is Thursday, October 6. It gives children an opportunity to celebrate religious freedom and to share God’s love with their friends by taking their Bible to school. The event is designed to empower students to express their beliefs in the truth of God’s Word and to do so in a respectful way that demonstrates the love of Christ. Find out more at Bring Your Bible to School Day.