Rebuilding the Walls: Protecting Children in the Church

In the book of Nehemiah, we find a powerful story of restoration, vigilance, and unwavering faith. Nehemiah, burdened by the vulnerability of his people, saw that the walls of Jerusalem were broken down, leaving the city defenseless against external threats. His response? He prayed, took action, and mobilized his community to rebuild and restore the protection that had been lost.

Today, the church faces a similar crisis. The spiritual and physical safety of children has been compromised. Without clear protections, accountability, and active safeguards, our most vulnerable members—our children and youth—are at risk. PPE Kids exists to rebuild these protective walls around the children in our faith communities, ensuring they are safe, valued, and nurtured in a Christ-centered environment.

A Biblical Mandate to Protect

Throughout Scripture, God commands us to stand in the gap for the vulnerable, the innocent, and the defenseless. Nehemiah's mission was not just about rebuilding physical walls but about restoring the strength and security of God's people. Likewise, we are called to restore the walls of protection around children in the church.

Nehemiah 4:14 (NIV) reminds us of our duty: "After I looked things over, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, ‘Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.’”

Just as Nehemiah stood firm against opposition and rallied the people to act, we must call the Church to action today. The safety of children is not optional

t is a spiritual responsibility.

The Church’s Vulnerability

Much like Jerusalem without its walls, many churches have left themselves exposed to the dangers of predators, negligence, and a lack of proactive safeguarding measures.

• Failing to conduct background checks on staff and volunteers creates openings for those who seek to harm children.

• A lack of child protection training leaves leaders ill-equipped to recognize warning signs of abuse or grooming.

• The absence of clear policies on reporting and accountability creates an environment where abuse can go unnoticed or unchallenged.

Proverbs warns us about the dangers of failing to protect those in our care: Proverbs 24:11 (NIV): “Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter.”

God has called the Church to be a place of refuge and safety. But when safeguards are neglected, children are left vulnerable—often with tragic consequences.

Restoring the Walls Through PPE Kids

PPE Kids exists to stand in the gap and rebuild the walls of protection around the church.

We believe that every child deserves to be safe in their place of worship. That’s why we provide:

• Donation-based accessibility, ensuring that no church is left without the tools to protect children, regardless of financial limitations.

• Comprehensive training on grooming awareness, active bystander intervention, and having difficult conversations.

• Criminal background checks and sexual offender registry screenings to ensure child-facing individuals are properly vetted.

• Independent external audits and policy development to help churches create environments where safety is the priority.

A Call to the Church

We believe that child protection is not just a legal obligation—it is a biblical mandate. Psalm 127:3 tells us: “Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him.”

If we truly believe that children are a blessing from God, then we must be good stewards of their safety. Nehemiah did not wait for someone else to act—he took responsibility and led the charge. Will the Church do the same today?

This is our Nehemiah calling. To pastors, ministry leaders, and church members:

Rise up. Stand guard. Protect the next generation.

Let us not be passive observers but active defenders of children in the Body of Christ.

Together, with prayer, vigilance, and action, we can rebuild the walls of protection around our churches and ensure that every child grows up in safety, love, and faith.

Partner with PPE Kids

We invite churches, leaders, and communities to join us in this mission. Become a PPE Kids member today—because protecting children should never depend on a budget. With your partnership, we can restore safety and trust, ensuring that no child is left unguarded.

Let’s stand in the gap together. The time to act is now.

For more information, training opportunities, or to become a PPE Kids partner, visit www.ppekids.org.