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God's Great Big Global Church: Visit 10 Kids and Their Churches All Around the World
Take kids on an exciting journey to discover that they are part of the amazing worldwide church.
Kids will gain enthusiasm for going to church on Sundays as they discover that they and their local fellowship are part of something much bigger: a family of people worshipping God all around the world!
Join Tim Challies as he guides you on this illustrated journey through 10 countries. Your children will be delighted to meet fictionalised kids just like themselves as they discover…
Fascinating facts about life in each location
Fun stories about how life, worship and church community are different all around the world
A connected Bible passage about worship
Each positive, eye-opening visit to another country is based on Challies’ own travel experience and conversations with local church leaders.
Use the included prompts to start conversations about the global church as a family or Sunday-school class.
Kids will gain enthusiasm for going to church on Sundays as they discover that they and their local fellowship are part of something much bigger: a family of people worshipping God all around the world!
Join Tim Challies as he guides you on this illustrated journey through 10 countries. Your children will be delighted to meet fictionalised kids just like themselves as they discover…
Fascinating facts about life in each location
Fun stories about how life, worship and church community are different all around the world
A connected Bible passage about worship
Each positive, eye-opening visit to another country is based on Challies’ own travel experience and conversations with local church leaders.
Use the included prompts to start conversations about the global church as a family or Sunday-school class.
- GenresChildrens
48 pages, Hardcover
First published May 15, 2026
About the author
Tim Challies
66 books1,596 followersTim Challies is a leading evangelical blogger. A self-employed web designer, Tim lives in the outskirts of Toronto, Ontario with his wife and children.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
4.5 stars, rounded down.
Author Tim Challies has traveled to multiple different churches around the globe, experiencing their worship services, talking with church leaders, and observing how each congregation uniquely honors God within their cultural context. Challies wrote a book for adults about this experience, and this companion title for young readers introduces kids to what evangelical worship services look like in ten different parts of the world. (The original book for adults covers eleven stops, and I'm not sure why Australia got dropped here.) Each chapter covers a different location, and these sections all begin by introducing some information about that country, such as geographic details, population statistics, and how many people in that country identify as Christians.
After that, a fictional child takes readers on a tour of their everyday life environment and church experiences. The fully illustrated pages visualize the environment, cultural attire, and church meeting locations. Siân James did a wonderful job visualizing everything. The pictures are vibrant, colorful, and engaging, and because they show what everything looks like, the author doesn't have to spend time describing things. Instead, Challies can focus on introducing each kid's life experiences, how the gospel came to their country, and what their church is like.
Each section ends with some talking points for parents and kids, as well as a Bible verse that relates to what that section covered. Because this book has short sections and isn't too wordy, it is great for a broad age range. Even very young children can follow along with this, while older kids can engage with it more deeply. Parents and church workers should know that they can download free supplementary resources on the publisher's website, if they would like to do activities with kids about the content in this book.
The book concludes by looking ahead to the greatest worship service ever, when people of all nations and languages will join together in heaven to worship God. This book has a great message of unity and shared purpose, encouraging readers with the knowledge that all around the world, there are other Christians who are following Jesus just like them. However, because this book is based on the author's personal travels to like-minded congregations, it only describes Protestant evangelical churches. Some readers may wish that this book gave a broader taste of different types of Christian churches.
God's Great Big Global Church is an inspiring, educational resource. This book's exploration of so many very different churches will broaden children's horizons beyond what is familiar to them, and it celebrates what Christians have in common around the globe, regardless of differences in cultural practice.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher, and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Author Tim Challies has traveled to multiple different churches around the globe, experiencing their worship services, talking with church leaders, and observing how each congregation uniquely honors God within their cultural context. Challies wrote a book for adults about this experience, and this companion title for young readers introduces kids to what evangelical worship services look like in ten different parts of the world. (The original book for adults covers eleven stops, and I'm not sure why Australia got dropped here.) Each chapter covers a different location, and these sections all begin by introducing some information about that country, such as geographic details, population statistics, and how many people in that country identify as Christians.
After that, a fictional child takes readers on a tour of their everyday life environment and church experiences. The fully illustrated pages visualize the environment, cultural attire, and church meeting locations. Siân James did a wonderful job visualizing everything. The pictures are vibrant, colorful, and engaging, and because they show what everything looks like, the author doesn't have to spend time describing things. Instead, Challies can focus on introducing each kid's life experiences, how the gospel came to their country, and what their church is like.
Each section ends with some talking points for parents and kids, as well as a Bible verse that relates to what that section covered. Because this book has short sections and isn't too wordy, it is great for a broad age range. Even very young children can follow along with this, while older kids can engage with it more deeply. Parents and church workers should know that they can download free supplementary resources on the publisher's website, if they would like to do activities with kids about the content in this book.
The book concludes by looking ahead to the greatest worship service ever, when people of all nations and languages will join together in heaven to worship God. This book has a great message of unity and shared purpose, encouraging readers with the knowledge that all around the world, there are other Christians who are following Jesus just like them. However, because this book is based on the author's personal travels to like-minded congregations, it only describes Protestant evangelical churches. Some readers may wish that this book gave a broader taste of different types of Christian churches.
God's Great Big Global Church is an inspiring, educational resource. This book's exploration of so many very different churches will broaden children's horizons beyond what is familiar to them, and it celebrates what Christians have in common around the globe, regardless of differences in cultural practice.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher, and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
May 15, 2026
In God’s Great Big Global Church, Tim Challies takes your children to visit 10 kids and their churches all around the world. This book is a wonderful companion to From the Rising of the Sun by Challies and Keesee.
Challies guides readers through the book as they meet fictionalized children and learn about their lives and churches. I loved how the book presents the different yet similar ways we sing, preach, and pray in our churches.
The illustrations by Sian James are beautiful and brilliant. The children and the locations of Fiji, South Korea, Cambodia, India, Zambia, Poland, Morocco, Brazil, Chile, and Alaska truly come to life. Throughout the book, you learn facts about each location—their food, customs, landmarks, regions, and the Christian population.
Get Excited About Sundays
I was most moved reading about the church in Poland, where Challies tells of the war and the people who came over from Ukraine. I was reminded of my brothers and sisters in Christ who do not get to worship in comfort.
I was most challenged reading about the church in India, where Christians are not allowed to worship openly. The church meets in secret, gathering in small groups and singing quietly. Reading this as an adult, I was resolved to be bold in my faith.
God’s Great Big Global Church is a gorgeous children’s book, similar to a coffee-table-style book for kids. You will want to pick it up, be inspired by these stories, and be moved to pray for God’s great big global church. This book will make your kids excited about Sundays!
I received a media copy of God’s Great Big Global Church and this is my honest review. @diveindigdeep
Challies guides readers through the book as they meet fictionalized children and learn about their lives and churches. I loved how the book presents the different yet similar ways we sing, preach, and pray in our churches.
The illustrations by Sian James are beautiful and brilliant. The children and the locations of Fiji, South Korea, Cambodia, India, Zambia, Poland, Morocco, Brazil, Chile, and Alaska truly come to life. Throughout the book, you learn facts about each location—their food, customs, landmarks, regions, and the Christian population.
Get Excited About Sundays
I was most moved reading about the church in Poland, where Challies tells of the war and the people who came over from Ukraine. I was reminded of my brothers and sisters in Christ who do not get to worship in comfort.
I was most challenged reading about the church in India, where Christians are not allowed to worship openly. The church meets in secret, gathering in small groups and singing quietly. Reading this as an adult, I was resolved to be bold in my faith.
God’s Great Big Global Church is a gorgeous children’s book, similar to a coffee-table-style book for kids. You will want to pick it up, be inspired by these stories, and be moved to pray for God’s great big global church. This book will make your kids excited about Sundays!
I received a media copy of God’s Great Big Global Church and this is my honest review. @diveindigdeep
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
(I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.)
This is my favorite children’s new release of the year!
“God’s Great Big Global Church” is such a fun title. The illustrations are fabulous–so vibrant and so detailed. Every time we read this book, we notice more things in the illustrations!
I love that this book tells stories of individuals while also sharing facts about each country. Kids will learn a bit about the church’s history in each of these locations and what it looks like to worship and follow Jesus there. At the end of each chapter is a short Bible passage as well as discussion prompts.
The countries included in this title are:
-Fiji
-South Korea
-Cambodia
-Zambia
-Poland
-Morocco
-Brazil
-Chile
-United States (Alaska)
I love that after we learn about ten different countries, the author shares about “The Best Ever Worship Service” in Revelation 7, where Christians from all nations will be gathered together to worship the One True God.
At the back of the book, parents can find a link to download free printable passports, worksheets, and more. As a homeschool mom, I can’t wait to incorporate these resources and this book into lessons.
Though the Church looks different and worships differently around the world, Christians everywhere have so much in common and are united by our shared faith. This book captures this beautiful truth so well.
I can’t recommend this title enough!
This is my favorite children’s new release of the year!
“God’s Great Big Global Church” is such a fun title. The illustrations are fabulous–so vibrant and so detailed. Every time we read this book, we notice more things in the illustrations!
I love that this book tells stories of individuals while also sharing facts about each country. Kids will learn a bit about the church’s history in each of these locations and what it looks like to worship and follow Jesus there. At the end of each chapter is a short Bible passage as well as discussion prompts.
The countries included in this title are:
-Fiji
-South Korea
-Cambodia
-Zambia
-Poland
-Morocco
-Brazil
-Chile
-United States (Alaska)
I love that after we learn about ten different countries, the author shares about “The Best Ever Worship Service” in Revelation 7, where Christians from all nations will be gathered together to worship the One True God.
At the back of the book, parents can find a link to download free printable passports, worksheets, and more. As a homeschool mom, I can’t wait to incorporate these resources and this book into lessons.
Though the Church looks different and worships differently around the world, Christians everywhere have so much in common and are united by our shared faith. This book captures this beautiful truth so well.
I can’t recommend this title enough!
June 14, 2026
This truly is an amazing book. You don't want to miss out on this one if you (yourself, your family, your children) have any interest in the Church, the Christians in these churches, and the countries in which they are located. This fact filled, missions encouraging, informative book about peoples, places, and how the church fares in these 10 locations is a treasure to read, peruse, have available on the coffee table, and definitely in the Church library of any mission minded Christ loving church.
There are 10 countries represented with about three pages of pictures and factoids about them. The main focus is on a particular church represented by our child-host and the village or city and country in which he or she is located. It was stunning to me to see the religions represented in the country and the percentage of each. I was surprised at the percentage of Christians recorded in each country.
Tidbits about the ways each church worships is especially interesting. Whether or not the church is a secretive, house church or a large vocal advocate for Christ in the community and the methods they each use to worship, sing, share their faith is inspiring.
The bright, colorful illustrations are inviting as are the happy faces of the Christian, the believers, the worshipers in each of the countries.
I highly encourage families, church groups, church libraries, and Christian schools to get copies of this really good book.
I received a complimentary copy to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine alone and are freely given.
There are 10 countries represented with about three pages of pictures and factoids about them. The main focus is on a particular church represented by our child-host and the village or city and country in which he or she is located. It was stunning to me to see the religions represented in the country and the percentage of each. I was surprised at the percentage of Christians recorded in each country.
Tidbits about the ways each church worships is especially interesting. Whether or not the church is a secretive, house church or a large vocal advocate for Christ in the community and the methods they each use to worship, sing, share their faith is inspiring.
The bright, colorful illustrations are inviting as are the happy faces of the Christian, the believers, the worshipers in each of the countries.
I highly encourage families, church groups, church libraries, and Christian schools to get copies of this really good book.
I received a complimentary copy to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine alone and are freely given.
May 21, 2026
The shift from thinking the church is just your local building to experiencing God’s great big global church. 🌍✨
It is so easy for our kids (and let’s be honest, us too!) to look around on a Sunday morning and think *this* is all the church is.
In “God's Great Big Global Church," Tim Challies beautifully shatters that box. He takes children on a beautifully illustrated journey as travels across the globe to show them how the family of God is wonderfully diverse, yet perfectly unified in Christ.
What makes this book so fantastic for family discipleship is how each chapter is structured. As you journey through 10 different destinations -including Fiji, South Korea, Cambodia, India, Zambia, Poland, Morocco, Brazil, Chile, and Alaska- every single stop features:
🗺️ Fascinating Culture & Geography Facts:Learn about local food, customs, and landmarks, alongside regional Christian population statistics.
👋 Native Greetings: A welcoming introduction to each country in its own native tongue.
📖 Connected Scripture: A curated Bible passage focused directly on worship.
*💬 Discussion Prompts: Easy, conversational questions to help your family process the unique ways our global brothers and sisters live, worship, and gather.
It is the ultimate resource to help expand your child’s view of the kingdom, teach real church history, and spark a deep love for the worldwide body of Christ.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
When I heard about God's Great Big Global Church by Tim Challies, I knew that it would be a must-read for our family.
In addition to teaching about international churches, this book gives information about various cultures and world geography.
The book is organized into ten countires, and each country includes:
- facts about geography, population, and culture
- a brief history of how Christianity spread to that region
- a greeting in the country's native tongue
- discussion questions
- a Bible verse
As humans, we have a tendency to believe that our personal preferences and traditions are "right," but this book reminds us that the church does not have to meet in a brick building with stained glass and a steeple.
I love this book, and I recommend it as a resource for families with children age 4-10.
Content consideration:
Depending on your denomination or theological stance, you may want to know that the church in Brazil practices infant baptism. The discussion questions for this country are about baptism, allowing you to discuss your own beliefs with your children.
In addition to teaching about international churches, this book gives information about various cultures and world geography.
The book is organized into ten countires, and each country includes:
- facts about geography, population, and culture
- a brief history of how Christianity spread to that region
- a greeting in the country's native tongue
- discussion questions
- a Bible verse
As humans, we have a tendency to believe that our personal preferences and traditions are "right," but this book reminds us that the church does not have to meet in a brick building with stained glass and a steeple.
I love this book, and I recommend it as a resource for families with children age 4-10.
Content consideration:
Depending on your denomination or theological stance, you may want to know that the church in Brazil practices infant baptism. The discussion questions for this country are about baptism, allowing you to discuss your own beliefs with your children.
June 9, 2026
Recently, my family has been LOVING Tim Challies’ new picture book, God’s Great Big Global Church. I was thankful to receive a copy before the book released. This book tells the stories of Christian kids around the world to introduce kids to important themes like persecution, diversity, missions, and God’s global grandeur in an accessible way.
This book is packed with information about the countries (from animal facts to famous landmarks) that has my kids constantly asking for “just one more page.”
I’m so thankful for this book and I know that you will love it too.
This book is packed with information about the countries (from animal facts to famous landmarks) that has my kids constantly asking for “just one more page.”
I’m so thankful for this book and I know that you will love it too.
May 16, 2026
Excellent!
I recommend this book for all ages. I found it very interesting, engaging, informative, inspiring, colorful, and fun. I especially loved learning about the little girl who uses a wheelchair in Chile and the church in South Korea that helps people with special needs. God bless you, Tim Challies!
I recommend this book for all ages. I found it very interesting, engaging, informative, inspiring, colorful, and fun. I especially loved learning about the little girl who uses a wheelchair in Chile and the church in South Korea that helps people with special needs. God bless you, Tim Challies!
August 19, 2026
I loved going through this book with my kiddos (7 and 6). We had a great time learning about church in the different countries. It was good for them (and me) to see that God is building His church all over the world and we have brothers and sisters in Christ in different countries. We loved the free resources online. My kids did the “passport” after each country we read.
August 18, 2026
We all really enjoyed this picture book with our summer read aloud stash. Excellent for learning more about the global church! It really encourages kids to think more on God’s Kingdom and beyond where they live. We will definitely keep this one handy for our school year!
June 20, 2026
This book takes a tour of 10 churches around the world. What a perfect book to introduce our kids to the church outside of our own local areas.
June 26, 2026
What a GREAT concept for kids!! Definitely will be getting this one for Kate too
July 2, 2026
A sweet children’s book about how the church looks and worships in 10 different countries around the world.
July 6, 2026
A beautiful picture of the global church, written at a level that kids can appreciate and understand.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews