Talking to her eight grandchildren about Jesus comes as naturally as breathing for Jenni Carter.

“I pray for them to have authentic relationships with Jesus,” added Carter, children’s ministry consultant for the Georgia Baptist Mission Board (GBMB). “That is the foremost thing I want for them.”

So when her 5-year-old grandson was awed by a tree covered in white blooms, she saw a teaching opportunity.

“God gave us that beautiful tree,” she told him. “God has given us so many beautiful things.”

That, Carter said, is the kind of conversations all Christian parents and grandparents need to routinely have with their little ones to lay the groundwork for the moment in life when they are ready to give their hearts to Christ.

She shared her insights during a breakout session at one of a series of GBMB evangelism conferences that drew more than 1,000 pastors and ministry leaders.

“What that does is keep the line of communications open so it’s not going to be awkward when it comes time to talk about salvation,” Carter said. “These conversations should be happening very naturally, not forced, and should begin at a very young age.”

Thomas Hammond Jr., GBMB executive director, said the evangelism conferences are intended to inspire and prepare church members to share the gospel.

“I have heard all my life that evangelism is more caught than taught,” Hammond told participants at the first conference. “But when we have the skills to share our faith, we can do it in a way that is relevant and effective.”

Jenni Carter said parents and grandparents should trust the Holy Spirit throughout the process.

“It is not our job as parents, grandparents and church leaders to convict a child of their sin,” she said. “That is the work of the Holy Spirit. It is our job to present the plan of salvation, but we can’t act as the Holy Spirit toward them.”

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