Rebecca Santos: Ministry Protection for Children and Youth

Here is the video replay of our July 2023 Lunch and Learn at the MBA Missionary Resource Center. Rebecca is Communications Director at the Evangelical Council for Abuse Prevention (ECAP). 

"Child abuse. It’s the unspeakable done to the most vulnerable in our society. As Ministry Leaders, how do we prevent abuse? How do we spot it when it’s happening? What are our responsibilities when we suspect it? What precautions can I put up within my ministry to prevent predators from perpetrating? How do I identify grooming behaviors? We discuss this difficult topic and the resources available through ECAP to prevent child abuse in the Christian ministry context."

Rebecca Santos joined ECAP at the beginning of 2023 as their Communications Director after serving in Corporate America for 18 years in a variety of management, business consulting, and event planning assignments. She has served for over five years at her local church in both Nursery Coordinator and VBS Director capacities. Her role within ECAP is to create awareness by educating the Evangelical community on how to create an ironclad child protection program for their ministries. She has presented to hundreds of ministry leaders to bring awareness and educate them on the atrocities of child abuse. She presently resides in Jacksonville, FL where she enjoys gardening and spending time with her husband, children, and pets.

When Leaders Fail

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.  (Hebrews 12: 1-2)

While running a race, it is best to focus on the finish line than the runners that are in front of you.  If you stare at the back of the guy ahead of you, and he stumbles, you are probably going down as well. However, if you focus on your goal - crossing the finish line, you'll do much better.  Look to the One who has run a perfect race and is already  there waiting for you, smiling at you and ready to congratulate you on a race well run. If you want be inspired by someone, why not choose the only perfect One. Jesus is your only perfect role model. He will never stumble and He will never trip you up.