“What Now”

We all remember the birth of that first grandchild, don’t we? If you’re like me, you also remember thinking what now? Now that I’m a grandparent? My wife Robin and I have a blended family of five children, nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren and believe me, we still ask ourselves: what now?

My Background

I’m Jay Bell, Chief Operating Officer for the Christian Grandparenting Network. Several years ago, God gave me the realization that part of his plan was a needed revival of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ in order that all who might be saved would be saved. He filled me with the revelation that this revival would come from the Lord’s order of the Great Commission; that is to “go and make disciples of all nations”. He told me that I was to enable and equip grandparents so that they might make disciples of their grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He led me to the position of Chief Operating Officer of the Christian Grandparenting Network, where I am today.

The Role of Grandparents

As a grandparent you are the second most influential person in your grandchild’s life – more than teachers, friends, clergy, neighbors, coworkers, and other family members. Only their parents have more sway with your grandkids than you do. Did you know that you had that kind of power? 

Today, grandparents are called upon to fill many different roles for their grandchildren. We often provide entertainment, companionship, money, favors, or even food, clothing, and shelter. But God has called us as Christians to do more important things for our treasured ones. We must teach them the importance of loving and being loved, of knowing right from wrong and why it is essential to do the right thing, the value of a person’s word, the true meaning of friendship, the necessity of honesty, morals, ethics, and the “Golden Rule”; where it came from, what it means and why it’s so important. And most importantly – the truth of Jesus Christ!

Our Lord commanded that we all go forth and make disciples of all nations. 

The Role of Christian Grandparent Network

Here, at the Christian Grandparenting Network, our mission is clear: to encourage, equip, and empower grandparents to pass a legacy of faith in Christ to future generations. 

Our vision is to see grandparents, worldwide, engaged in passing a Christ-centered spiritual legacy shaped by a biblical worldview to their grandchildren and all future generations. 

As believers, we all know that no one comes to the Father except through our Lord and Savior; Jesus Christ. To put it bluntly, our grandchildren will not know salvation unless they first know Jesus. They will never know Jesus unless someone introduces them. Not only is this the most important mission of your life, but it is also the one for which you are now best equipped. Throughout your life, God has given you the wisdom, the skill and now the time, to disciple your grandkids and furthermore, He has commanded that you do so. A daunting task to say the least. Undoubtedly, you too are saying “what now”?

Our mission is to encourage, equip, and empower grandparents, and this is how we will do it – together. Not only CAN you do this, but that you MUST do this. 

At CGN, we have dedicated over twenty years to our calling and have developed a plethora of tools for you to use in accomplishing your God-given mission of getting your grandchildren to heaven. We are coming alongside churches, leaders, organizations, and individual Christian grandparents like you to help them assure that their grandchildren and great grandchildren come to know Jesus Christ.  

CGN offers resources to enable you to introduce grandchildren to Jesus, to teach them to pray, to instruct you in how to talk about the Lord with them, to tell them your very own story, to learn about aspects and methods of becoming intentional in your Christian grandparenting. You will learn how to overcome obstacles like long-distance grandparenting or dealing with adult children who forbid you from talking about God with your grandchildren. You’ll also find information about attending a GrandCamp with your grandkids or starting one of your own. 

We offer help in dealing with the “tough” questions of subjects like “social media influence” and “dealing with identity crises”.  We have written materials, digital materials, speakers and presenters, counselors, mentors, and advisors. You’ll find out about G@P (Grandparents at Prayer) groups, why they work and how to start one. We’ll connect you to grandparenting retreats and more. 

We are here for you. Intentional Christian grandparenting is our calling – and it is yours, too. Our organization is made up of 100% volunteers. Our operations are funded entirely by donations. We want to serve you by helping you in any way that we can to help your grandchildren find their way to God. 

Please peruse our website and see what is available for you. Reach out to us with questions or tell us about your plans for discipleship. We know what God desires of you and can’t wait to partner with you along the way. The team here at the Christian Grandparenting Network are both pleased and honored to be of service to you. 

The time to pass your legacy of faith to your beloved grandchildren is now.

I have a little saying that reminds me of who I am and what God’s answer is to “what now?”. It goes like this: “I will give the best of my life, for the rest of my life, because God has made my grandchildren the test of my life”.