Debbie Sander
What is Today’s Christian Girl?
Today’s Christian Girl is a ministry that focuses on our young girls, ages 10-18. Each church forms its own TCG chapter. Meetings are held once or twice a month in fun locations and may include exciting events ranging from volunteering at a humane society or learning what the Bible has to say about living and enjoying life His way.
Who started it?
Today’s Christian Girl was the burden and passion of Donna Linville. In 2002, she heard a discussion on the radio about young girls today, what they face and the target they are for many agendas including marketing. The Lord instantly gave her a burden for our girls, and she pulled her car over and began to weep and pray. She approached Gwyn Oakes about her desire for this ministry and from that TCG was born.
What is your goal and purpose?
Our goal and purpose is to help establish and root our girls in the church, teaching them to love this truth and their life in Christ. Our motto is “Livin’ Right and Lovin’ Life.” We feel that if we can teach our girls to understand the privilege they have in living for God, and if they do so according to the principles of the Word of God, they will love their life.
How would a local church go about starting a chapter?
Decide on a chapter name for your club. We’ve listed several suggestions for you on our website www.todayschristiangirl.com under “Join the Club,” choosing the “How” tab. A few are LOL – Living out Loud, Girls 4 God, OMG – Obeying my God, etc. At the bottom of the “How” tab, you’ll find the registration form to join TCG. We have many ideas on the website and offer helps on our YouTube channel as well.
What makes this ministry unique and special?
What I love about TCG is that it is a great way to reach and teach our girls. Girls love friends and girls love fun. At TCG we hold meetings once a month. We discuss issues that they are facing today in innovative ways. Our meetings may be held at the park, at the zoo, or in a shopping mall. We decide what challenges our girls may be facing and we talk about them, whether it be peer pressure, dating (when it is age-appropriate), keeping pure in an impure world, dressing fun and godly at the same time, desire for and direction in ministry, etc. Youth meetings and services are vital and absolutely beneficial, but there are definite areas we need to address with our girls in closed settings.
Ideas for Club Meetings:
One club was having squabbles and conflict among their girls, so the TCG Director took them to a park, spread several blankets out, bought each her favorite soda and candy bar, added some chips, and gave each girl a cool pen and a notebook. She then asked them to make two lists: 1) What helps a friendship, and 2) What hurts a friendship.
One by one each list was read, along with a discussion on friendships. Scriptures were shared and examples were given of friendships in the Bible. The result was that the youth group’s friendship issues were resolved, in a fun way.
Another club, after having had a missionary from Africa visit their church, met at a restaurant that served African food. A discussion was had as to what it would be like to be a missionary, some of the challenges they would face, and the food they would get to eat.
The goal is to create fun ways to meet while helping to grow a love for God and the things of God in our girls’ hearts. Our target age is 10-18, but a church may extend to other ages as needed. For instance, one church in Hawaii had several girls ages 5-9, so they formed a second club and called them the Sugar Cookie Club, addressing their challenges and giving them a strong foundation for their walk with God on their level.
How many chapters?
We currently have approximately 150 clubs including many (some registered under one national heading) in other countries such as Nigeria, Canada, the United States, Fiji, Liberia, Puerto Rico, and Australia.
What kind of success have you had?
We have been blessed to have great success. Some club members have invited their unchurched friends and have found TCG to be a segue for them, introducing them to the church by teaching the truths of God in a fun way.
What kind of feedback are you getting?
Our girls love meeting together and making friends while learning the ways of God. Our directors love the avenue TCG affords in helping our girls make connections while reaching out to others that are not being raised in the church.
Can readers contact you if they have questions?
Absolutely! We would love to see a club in every church that has young girls. Some churches started with only one or two members and then grow their club from there. TCG is a safe place for our girls to thrive, ask questions, and get godly answers. The world is giving answers to all of their questions, but if we want them to have the correct answers, then we must provide them. TCG is a perfect means to accomplish that. Please reach out to us at: DSanders@todayschristiangirl.org
Do you have anything to add in closing?
Living for God is so much more than “do’s and don’ts.” It is more than “heaven or hell” issues. Instead, living for God means that we are protected and loved, provided for, and guided. God is absolutely crazy about us and promises a most amazing life if we live it for Him. He has guidelines that He wants us to follow. They are not to box us in, but to keep us free from the chains the world will put on us. If we can give our girls the opportunity to see all that Jesus has to offer, then they will fall in love with Him and not want to walk away. We can teach them, we can show them. Come with us and join the movement of TCG!
Debbie Sanders lives in Kapolei, Hawaii. She and her husband Jonathan pastor The Rock Church. They have three daughters. She is Ladies President of Hawaii and the director of Todays Christian Girl International. Debbie loves to travel and collect new friends wherever she goes. She loves teaching young girls that living for God is the best and when you live right you will love your life!
