GOSHEN, IN — Reverend Brian Kamwendo, the Presidential Advisor on Religions Affairs in the African nation of Malawi, held a press conference at First Baptist Church Elkhart on Thursday, November 16, 2023. He was speaking on how Malawi is experiencing the fruit of repentance, the beginnings of which can be traced back to reviveINDIANA in… Continue reading The Nation of Malawi is Experiencing the Fruit of Repentance
Tag: Poor Children
West Africa Shines in Observance of World Orphans Day
NASHVILLE — Each year World Orphans Day™ is observed around the world on the ‘Second Monday in November,’ which was November 13, this year. The Stars Foundation™, a Nashville, TN based nonprofit, initiated this back in 2009, as a day devoted to empowering the Orphans and Displaced Children of the World, while uniting world leaders… Continue reading West Africa Shines in Observance of World Orphans Day
Ivanna’s Story: Hope in Honduras
HONDURAS — Ivanna, a 12-year-old girl in Honduras, shares how receiving an Operation Christmas Child shoebox gift gave her hope and introduced her to Christ’s love.
A Christian Club for Children in Poland
POLAND — An Operation Christmas Child volunteer in Poland started a Christian club for children who wanted to continue to meet for Bible study after they received shoebox gifts and graduated from The Greatest Journey. Wiestawa Szymczak – Volunteer: One day God laid it in my heart that if the children come to know Him… Continue reading A Christian Club for Children in Poland
Compassion International, Belmont Innovation Labs Pilot New Initiative to Support Visionary Entrepreneurs
COLORADO SPRINGS, CO — Yesterday, during Belmont University’s annual Hope Summit event, child development organization Compassion International and Belmont Innovation Labs announced a new partnership to pilot Impact Teams, groups of expert volunteers and mentors who will come alongside social innovators dedicated to addressing the world’s most formidable challenges. Impact Teams are designed to work… Continue reading Compassion International, Belmont Innovation Labs Pilot New Initiative to Support Visionary Entrepreneurs
Out of War: Girl Becomes TV Inspiration in Troubled Middle East
EASTON, MD — As a young girl, Christina Issa found a way to block out the horror of war raging in her homeland of Syria — by watching a faith-based television channel for kids, broadcast in her native Arabic. She never dreamed that a few years later she’d be a presenter on the same channel,… Continue reading Out of War: Girl Becomes TV Inspiration in Troubled Middle East
Elena’s Story: Offering Praise in Poland
POLAND — “The war started suddenly,” Elena, a fine arts teacher in Ukraine, said. “I prayed every day, ‘Lord, I trust in You. Give me strength, patience, and humility for this day.’” Soon, she and her daughter fled to Poland to escape the increasing violence. They arrived close to Easter and moved into a hotel… Continue reading Elena’s Story: Offering Praise in Poland
Breaking the Cycle of Poverty in Togo
TOGO — Christian charity CRY has launched a campaign to highlight how education is helping to break the cycle of poverty in some of the neediest parts of the world. This report shares the story of how an orphanage that they support in Togo is providing life-changing opportunities for many young lives through the power… Continue reading Breaking the Cycle of Poverty in Togo
Compassion International Launches New ‘Hope Starts Here’ Experience
COLORADO SPRINGS, CO — Compassion International, a leading child development organization, is excited to announce the launch of its new “Hope Starts Here“ experience. Buoyed by compelling personal stories, “Hope Starts Here” is an immersive experience, transporting visitors to vulnerable communities where Compassion works. This free, family-friendly event is designed to inspire compassion and action… Continue reading Compassion International Launches New ‘Hope Starts Here’ Experience
U.S. Mission Spotlights Crisis of Ukraine’s ‘50,000 Social Orphans’
LOVES PARK, IL — The war in Ukraine has caused a dramatic surge in the number of “social orphans,” according to a U.S.-based organization responding to an escalating crisis of child abandonment. Ukrainian church leaders estimate there are as many as 50,000 “hidden” social orphans, children barely surviving under the radar who’ve been abandoned or… Continue reading U.S. Mission Spotlights Crisis of Ukraine’s ‘50,000 Social Orphans’
Children’s Charity Launches Education is Power Campaign
UNITED KINGDOM — It is a sad fact that, globally, the number of children and adolescents who do not have access to school education is 260 million, nearly four times the entire population of the UK. In response Christian children’s charity CRY is launching their Back To School Education is Power campaign to highlight how… Continue reading Children’s Charity Launches Education is Power Campaign
Child Migrant Meets Christ by Reading the Bible Given to Him at the Camp
MATAMOROS, MEXICO — Thousands of migrants continue to arrive at the United States border seeking asylum. In an improvised migrant camp in Matamoros, Mexico, a gifted Bible changes the life of a Venezuelan child. Joseph Rendón: I learned that if one has confidence in God, everything is possible. The faith in Christ Jesus reaches the… Continue reading Child Migrant Meets Christ by Reading the Bible Given to Him at the Camp
Ukraine: ‘Kids of War’ Grapple with Trauma, Life-Changing Injuries
LOVES PARK, IL — Ten-year-old Maryna kneels beside her bed and prays for the war in Ukraine to end. For Maryna, the horrors of war have already left lifelong scars. Surgeons had to amputate her crushed leg after a shell exploded next to her home. Now she wears a prosthetic. Any loud noise brings her… Continue reading Ukraine: ‘Kids of War’ Grapple with Trauma, Life-Changing Injuries
Sowing Gospel Seeds in Colombia
CÚCUTA, COLOMBIA — Samaritan’s Purse is in Colombia helping Venezuelan migrants living in areas where there are limited resources. In these neighborhoods, they are teaching children how to read and write, and sowing seeds of the Gospel into their hearts. Tom Ovington – Samaritan’s Purse: Venezuela started to have extreme economic issues. And a lot… Continue reading Sowing Gospel Seeds in Colombia
Feed My Starving Children Celebrates 4 Billionth Meal, a Milestone in Global Hunger Relief Efforts
COON RAPIDS, MN — Feed My Starving Children (FMSC), a nonprofit organization committed to eradicating extreme hunger, celebrates the production of its 4 billionth meal. The milestone meal was packed on June 28 at a mobile packing event at the Minnesota Correctional Facility in Shakopee, Minnesota. Since its founding in 1987, FMSC has been driven… Continue reading Feed My Starving Children Celebrates 4 Billionth Meal, a Milestone in Global Hunger Relief Efforts
Restoring Childhoods in Afghanistan
AFGHANISTAN —A special needs school in Kabul in Afghanistan is using play, sports and arts to help heal traumatized kids who have lost their childhoods. The project is supported by Christian charity CRY. A school project supported by Christian charity Cry is restoring the lost childhoods of special needs kids in Kabul in Afghanistan. Cry’s… Continue reading Restoring Childhoods in Afghanistan
Destiny Grace Academy Empowers Sierra Leone’s Next Generation
SIERRA LEONE — As Sierra Leone faces extreme poverty and high rates of illiteracy, Christian school Destiny Grace Academy is teaching hundreds of children, who’ve been rescued from the slums of the capital city of Freetown, to be the country’s next generation of leaders. A Christian-run school in war-torn Sierra Leone has provided life-changing education… Continue reading Destiny Grace Academy Empowers Sierra Leone’s Next Generation
Good News and Great Joy for Namibia
NAMIBIA — As God works through Operation Christmas Child to reach the remote Himba tribe in Namibia, southwest Africa, they are hearing, believing, embracing, and sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ. Pastor Rizera Hipakua – Volunteer: Jesus Christ is my Savior. He’s my personal Savior. I really love Jesus. I want to follow Jesus… Continue reading Good News and Great Joy for Namibia
Ukraine: Desperate Times Lead to Surge in Summer Bible Camps
LOVES PARK, IL — The Ukraine war and growing desperation in hard times are driving a surge in the number of children expected to flock to Bible camps this summer across the former Soviet Union, a region once steeped in atheism. Amid fears the Ukraine conflict could escalate at any moment, Illinois-based Slavic Gospel Association… Continue reading Ukraine: Desperate Times Lead to Surge in Summer Bible Camps
Faith Communities Unite in Prayer for Abused Children
HARLINGEN, TX — Blue Sunday Child Abuse Prevention Initiative, a non-profit organization dedicated to preventing child abuse and neglect, is calling on communities across the country to recognize the annual Blue Sunday Day of Prayer for Abused Children on April 30th. Since 1994, Blue Sunday has been raising awareness about the devastating effects of child… Continue reading Faith Communities Unite in Prayer for Abused Children
Evacuating Children from East Ukraine
UKRAINE — Throughout the war in Ukraine, Great Commission Media Ministries has coordinated the evacuating of many children and families from some of the worst-hit parts of the East of the country. Here’s just one story of how Hannu Haukka and his team rescued Andrei’s family and many others from near Mariupol and brought them… Continue reading Evacuating Children from East Ukraine
Nashville Predators and Country Superstars Partner with Compassion International
NASHVILLE — No child, no matter where they live, should have to face hunger and malnutrition. Unfortunately this is the tragic reality for millions of children around the world. In just two years, food insecurity has doubled to affect 276 million people. In 2021, 22% of children under age five experienced stunted development from malnutrition… Continue reading Nashville Predators and Country Superstars Partner with Compassion International
Russia, Ukraine Orphans ‘At Risk of Organized Crime Recruitment’
LOVES PARK, IL — Thousands of abandoned and unwanted orphans in orphanages across Russia, Ukraine and the former Soviet countries are highly vulnerable to recruitment by organized crime groups, a U.S. mission agency says. “When children turn 18 they age out of the orphanages and have to fend for themselves,” said Michael Johnson, president of… Continue reading Russia, Ukraine Orphans ‘At Risk of Organized Crime Recruitment’
‘Love Bomb’ Weekend Raises Over $200,000 for Ukraine and Uganda Children in Need
ALBUQUERQUE — Calvary Church’s Reload Love ministry raised over $208,000 during its annual “Love Bomb” weekend (Feb. 11 and 12), with proceeds benefitting the ministry’s 2023 highlighted project: children caught in the crossfire of the yearlong conflict in Ukraine and decade-long civil war in South Sudan. Hundreds of people joined Calvary Church at their flagship… Continue reading ‘Love Bomb’ Weekend Raises Over $200,000 for Ukraine and Uganda Children in Need
Ukraine War Accelerates Orphan Crisis
LOVES PARK, IL — The war in Ukraine is accelerating an orphan crisis in the embattled nation and neighboring Russia, a U.S. mission agency says. Children are being swept up in the turmoil in Ukraine and taken to overcrowded orphanages miles away across borders, often separated from family members desperately searching for them, says Illinois-based… Continue reading Ukraine War Accelerates Orphan Crisis
Erdembayar’s Story: A New Purpose in Life in Mongolia
MONGOLIA — Erdembayar, a boy in Mongolia, tired easily and couldn’t participate in physical activities with his friends. After he underwent heart surgery arranged by Samaritan’s Purse, he gained new energy and could actively play like other kids. More importantly, he and his mother both trusted Christ as their Savior. Now, Erdembayar wants to become… Continue reading Erdembayar’s Story: A New Purpose in Life in Mongolia
Elizabeth’s Story: Gospel Seeds Planted in Ukraine
UKRAINE — Elizabeth Groff praises God for the Operation Christmas Child shoebox gift she received while living in an orphanage in Ukraine. It softened her heart for the Gospel to take hold. Elizabeth Groff: When I was about one year old, my father was killed. After his passing my mom just really could not deal… Continue reading Elizabeth’s Story: Gospel Seeds Planted in Ukraine
Empowering Children in Africa’s Largest Slum
KIBERA, KENYA —A Christian charity is empowering and educating children in Africa’s largest slum in Kibera on the outskirts of Nairobi in Kenya. Most of the residents live in extreme poverty. There are few schools, little clean water, and very little electricity, medical care or toilet facilities. With no government services, schools, clinics, water and… Continue reading Empowering Children in Africa’s Largest Slum
SAT-7 Spotlights Top 5 ‘Evolving Crises’ in Middle East in 2023
EASTON, MD — A U.S. organization focused on the Middle East and North Africa is casting the spotlight on what it calls the region’s top 5 “evolving crises” at the start of 2023. With the world’s gaze fixed on Ukraine-Russia and muscle-flexing in China, “seismic events unfolding in the Middle East are simply off the… Continue reading SAT-7 Spotlights Top 5 ‘Evolving Crises’ in Middle East in 2023
Franklin Graham Thanks God for How Operation Christmas Child Has Grown
CHARLOTTE, NC — Celebrating the 200 millionth shoebox gift collected since 1993, Franklin Graham encouraged staff and volunteers at the Charlotte Processing Center this Christmas. These shoeboxes represent opportunities to tell boys and girls about the Lord Jesus Christ, God’s Greatest Gift. Franklin Graham – Samaritan’s Purse CEO and President: 29 years ago right here… Continue reading Franklin Graham Thanks God for How Operation Christmas Child Has Grown
Shoebox Gifts Impact Mongolian Family
BAYANKHONGOR, MONGOLIA — Baljinnyam praises God for the Operation Christmas Child shoebox gift he received when he was 13 in Mongolia. Through that gift, he gave his life to Christ. Now, Baljinnyam is an adult and saw his young daughter receive her own shoebox and learn more about Jesus. Baljinnyam: My name is Baljinnyam. I… Continue reading Shoebox Gifts Impact Mongolian Family
Great Joy in Ohio Through Operation Christmas Child
WADSWORTH, OHIO — Kristel and Matt Stone praise God for the thousands of Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts they have been able to pack at their Ohio farm over the years with help from family and friends. They are grateful that, through these gifts, boys and girls in need around the world are hearing the… Continue reading Great Joy in Ohio Through Operation Christmas Child
Shoebox Gifts Bring Joy to Deaf Children in Namibia
NAMIBIA — The classroom was quiet as deaf Namibian boys and girls opened their Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes. There were no squeals of excitement or chattering, no shouting for friends to come and look at the fun gifts inside their shoebox. The Operation Christmas Child outreach event marked the first time that most of the… Continue reading Shoebox Gifts Bring Joy to Deaf Children in Namibia
U.S. Charity Aims to Bring Hope to 60,000 Children, Orphans in Ukraine, Russia This Christmas
LOVES PARK, IL — A U.S.-based Christian charity is ramping up its efforts to bring hope to more than 60,000 children and orphans across Ukraine, Russia and the former Soviet Union this Christmas – 10,000 more children than last year. The huge-scale, church-led Immanuel’s Child outreach supported by Illinois-based Slavic Gospel Association (SGA, www.sga.org) gives… Continue reading U.S. Charity Aims to Bring Hope to 60,000 Children, Orphans in Ukraine, Russia This Christmas
A Smile for Ethiopia Project
ALBA LULIA, ROMANIA — The “Philippi Vision” charitable association from Alba Iulia carries out missionary and social projects in Romania, Europe and Africa. The organization was founded in 2018 by some young men, Florin Lupean and David Murza, out of the desire to help people in poor areas and to make God known. We will… Continue reading A Smile for Ethiopia Project
Edouard’s Story: A Perfect Picture of God’s Love
SENEGAL — Edouard Ndecky realized how much God loved him when he received an Operation Christmas Child shoebox gift when he was growing up in Senegal. Now, Edouard lives in the U.S. and encourages others to prayerfully pack shoeboxes so that other boys and girls in need will receive a tangible expression of God’s love… Continue reading Edouard’s Story: A Perfect Picture of God’s Love
Children in Benin Hear the Gospel Through Simple Shoebox Gifts
BENIN, AFRICA — Nine-year-old Gladys flashed a big smile as she recounted the day she received an Operation Christmas Child shoebox gift. It all started with a friend’s invitation. “You have to go to my church,” her friend, Kemi, told her. “There are good things going on, and I want you to hear the Word… Continue reading Children in Benin Hear the Gospel Through Simple Shoebox Gifts
Ukraine War Kids, ‘Forgotten Children’ to Taste Joy at Summer Camps
LOVES PARK, IL — A U.S.-based mission to the former Soviet Union aims to help give 50,000 disadvantaged boys and girls a “life-changing” summer camp experience this year, including children suffering because of the war in Ukraine. Illinois-based Slavic Gospel Association (SGA, www.sga.org) partners with thousands of local churches across the vast region to provide… Continue reading Ukraine War Kids, ‘Forgotten Children’ to Taste Joy at Summer Camps
Los Angeles Dream Center, Kershaw’s Challenge, Providing Thousands of Backpacks and School Supplies to Those in Need
LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Dream Center is welcoming students back to their campus in Echo Park for their annual Back-to-School Bash on August 6, from 10am-1pm PST. In partnership with presenting sponsor Kershaw’s Challenge, and signature partner The Dodgers Foundation, this annual gathering will feature numerous backpacks and school supplies donated to school… Continue reading Los Angeles Dream Center, Kershaw’s Challenge, Providing Thousands of Backpacks and School Supplies to Those in Need
Packed with Prayer and Hope for Kids in Ukraine
NORTH WILKSBORO, NC — Samaritan’s Purse is delivering backpacks filled with special gifts to displaced children in Ukraine. These backpacks are filled with carefully selected items such as winter caps, simple toys, sketchpads/notebooks, crayons, and small teddy bears stenciled with a message of God’s love written in Ukrainian. These supplies are accompanied by booklets translated… Continue reading Packed with Prayer and Hope for Kids in Ukraine
CEF Caring for Ukrainian Children in Ukraine and Neighboring Countries
WARRENTON, MO — CEF has 69 national workers in Ukraine who were ministering to children on a daily basis, reaching 133,000 children in 2021. Only 12 workers have fled the country thus far. Of the remaining, half are sheltering in place and the other half have moved to western Ukraine. One reported that in the… Continue reading CEF Caring for Ukrainian Children in Ukraine and Neighboring Countries
SAT-7 Sees Young Lives Transformed in the Middle East
NASHVILLE, TN — Since SAT-7 launched the first ever Arabic on demand Christian video platform, they’ve seen countless young lives transformed in some of the most restricted parts of the Middle East including Afghanistan and Iran. Their Arabic Channels Digital Director Shady Francis brings this update. A Christian broadcast ministry, SAT 7, is having an… Continue reading SAT-7 Sees Young Lives Transformed in the Middle East
Operation Christmas Child Benefits More than 9 Million Children
BOONE, NC — Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child, a project of Samaritan’s Purse, has impacted the lives of 188 million children in more than 170 countries.[1] Samaritan’s Purse recently released a report highlighting the success of the program’s 2021 Christmas season, during which 9.1 million children in need received shoebox gifts—containing various gifts such as… Continue reading Operation Christmas Child Benefits More than 9 Million Children
American Efforts to Save Children in Konotop, Ukraine
MURRIETA, CA — Today, Russian soldiers walked through crowded streets in Konotop, Ukraine, threatening to release hand grenades if the people of this city in northeast Ukraine did not submit to them. Mayor Artem Semenikhin, rallied the people in this town in Sumy Oblast, just 100 miles from the Russian border, and they resisted the… Continue reading American Efforts to Save Children in Konotop, Ukraine
‘Room to Read’ Reports Increased Reach Despite Pandemic’s Challenges
SAN FRANCISCO — Global non-profit organization Room to Read recently released their 2021 Girls’ Education Program Report, showing impressive results even amidst the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. As part of Room to Read’s efforts to support girls in their development of key life skills, the Girls’ Education Program focuses on keeping secondary-school-aged girls in… Continue reading ‘Room to Read’ Reports Increased Reach Despite Pandemic’s Challenges
ZOE International: A Mission to Share the Gospel and Help End Child Trafficking
SANTA CLARITA, CA — ZOE International celebrates 20 years of reaching those who have not yet heard about Jesus and rescuing children from the horrors of human trafficking. ZOE is named after the Greek word for LIFE in the Bible. Jesus said, “I came that they may have LIFE (ZOE) and have it abundantly.” ZOE… Continue reading ZOE International: A Mission to Share the Gospel and Help End Child Trafficking
SAT-7 Gifts Provide Learning Access to Syrian Refugee Children
BEIRUT, LEBANON — Five Syrian refugee children have received a new way to access learning from Christian broadcast ministry SAT-7 from the comfort of their home. “They cannot go to school, so we took school to their home,” explains Mostafa, one of the young visitors. Three Syrian boys from SAT-7 ACADEMY program Puzzle visited a… Continue reading SAT-7 Gifts Provide Learning Access to Syrian Refugee Children
Compassion International’s Fill the Stadium Initiative Announces $35 Million Goal Surpassed
COLORADO SPRINGS, CO — Members of Compassion International’s Fill the Stadium team are extremely grateful and honor those who have participated in this life-saving initiative as they share remarkable news: this week, the $35 million goal has been surpassed for the Fill the Stadium effort, which has provided critical food, medical care and support for… Continue reading Compassion International’s Fill the Stadium Initiative Announces $35 Million Goal Surpassed
From Cybersex to Child Sacrifice: GFA World Special Report
WILLS POINT, TX – GFA World (Gospel for Asia) founded by K.P. Yohannan, whose heart to love and help the poor has inspired numerous charities like GFA World Canada, to serve the deprived and downcast worldwide, reveals on a shocking new report, from U.S. border to South Asia, 1.2 billion children in crisis face ‘horrors,’… Continue reading From Cybersex to Child Sacrifice: GFA World Special Report
GFA World and Believers Eastern Church Help Bring the Joy of Christmas to Children
STONEY CREEK, ONTARIO – One of the core values of GFA World (Gospel for Asia) founded by K.P. Yohannan, which inspired numerous charities like GFA World Canada, is being a people who work together with the body of Christ. In the week of November 15-22, 2021, GFA World was able to demonstrate this value by… Continue reading GFA World and Believers Eastern Church Help Bring the Joy of Christmas to Children