Comics, CD-ROM bring health issues to youth

NEW YORK (UMNS) - In an effort to better reach a young audience, the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries has developed study materials in the form of comic books and CD-ROMs.

Children and youth also are encouraged to use a specially designed Web site on the topic of "Global Health and Christian Response-ability," according to the Rev. Toby Gould, the board's project manager for mission studies.

"It is our hope that these resources will find a positive response in different church settings as they are designed to help engage youth and children in mission issues," Gould explained.

The youth comic book, Youth Chat, was written by Roger Sadler and illustrated by Dennis Bud. It features six teen-agers from different countries who have met at a youth conference on mission and decide to form an Internet chat group to discuss global health.

Issues that arise during their chat include how the lifestyle of one country affects the health of another country; how HIV/AIDS, famine, land mines and other problems impact Africa; and how urban poverty drives children in Brazil to the streets.

In A Child's View of Global Health, also written by Sadler and illustrated by Min S. Ku, eight children take two imaginary hot-air balloon trips to different parts of the world to see health problems and the church's mission work in addressing global health issues.

The CD-ROM contains narrated versions of both comics, songs from the board's Global Praise songbooks, games, activities and mission projects.

Ordering information is available through the board's Service Center by calling toll free 800/305-9857.

Last updated on 01/14/2004

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