A ministry based in southern Manitoba is reaching thousands of kids with the gospel every year, and it's continuing to grow.

Headquartered in Winkler, Children's Camps International (CCI) has grown since 2003. They started with camps in the southern part of India, quickly spreading across Southeast Asia, Latin America, Africa and Oceania.

Brazil directors Marco and Claudia Marinho saw more than 3,000 children attend CCI camps last year, up from 1,800 in 2017.

Marco says along with the camps, the cornerstone of the ministry is their small group follow-up led by local youth leaders. Currently, 900 kids attend weekly meetings across 120 small groups. He notes many kids whose parents might frown on their children attending church are allowed to attend the small groups.

Along with the campers, equally blessed by the ministry are the small group leaders, some of which are teenagers themselves.

"They realize they can help, and they think 'wow this is important,' and they grow a lot."

"We value every single age," he adds. "Everyone can make a difference."

He says parents have even approached staff and asked about their programming because they've seen so many positive behavioural changes in their children.

Along with support from donors in the Pembina Valley, local supporters in Brazil keep the camps running.

"We just want to thank everyone," Marinho says. "In Brazil, we praise God for the Winkler and Altona area, we just very thankful for them because they are supporting the children in Brazil through CCI."