INTERNATIONAL MESSENGERSMINISTRY TO CHILDREN AT RISKStreet children, orphans, sewer kids, at-risk minors, homeless children, oppressed children, children of alcoholics; the names and terminologies vary, but their overwhelming needs are all too familiar. Many missionaries with International Messengers are committed in their work to combat the problems and love the unloved. Read about their ministries, partner with them in prayer, and consider how you might become involved with them. Perhaps you'd consider a short-term missions trip overseas, or maybe you'd like to commit to giving financially to these ministries. The Father's HeartIn 1996 a ministry to abandoned children in Slovakia was developed, focusing on three main areas:
As the ministry has grown there has been a need to create a Slovak agency called "Otcove srdce"(The Father's Heart) to organize the activities. The goal of the agency is to assist existing local churches to mobilize their members into practical forms of compassion based evangelistic ministry. But, the Father's Heart not only organizes ministries to abandoned children, it will also help train, support and send Slovak short-term missionaries. God is beginning to raise up a multi-denominational movement among students and young people for cross-cultural ministry. Not long ago 200 young people responded to a call to foreign missions. If this continues it will be Slovakia's first true missions movement in history. Slovaks have been praying for several years for this and are joining together. I believe this is the day when we will see God do amazing thins that will be strategic for missions in the region. The work must begin on all sides at once, i.e., training, supporting churches and a sending agency. The Father's Heart is the first and only organization on Slovak soil designed to meet those needs. The heavenly Father is active in His world...passionately active! What greater joy could there be than to crawl into the Father's lap, be comforted by His loving embrace, catch His heartbeat for His world and even allow His tear to become our very own - and then to see God perform miracles through us? We hope you will join us in praying for this ministry. For more information about The Father's Heart, please visit our website. The River of Life Christian Care HomeThe River of Life Care Home exists as a place of refuge, Christian counseling and care for women and children in crisis situations. Child abandonment in orphanages and abortion are huge problems here in Romania, and after having worked in an orphanage, we feel it is vitally important to equip and encourage families to be able to stay together. Domestic violence, abuse and unplanned pregnancies (including from rapes), are the usual crisis's that initially bring women to us. These women and their children do not have adequate family or government support systems, and because they come from traumatic and abusive situations and don't have an understanding of what a healthy, loving relationship should look like. All of the women and children we care for come to us by referrals through a crisis pregnancy center, social work foundations, doctors, or churches. Those referred to us are the worst cases that cannot be helped through other organizations. Many of the women coming to us have been abandoned or evicted by their families because of their pregnancy and unwillingness to get an abortion, the popular form of birth control in Romania. Others come to us because they are the victims of domestic violence and some simply have no home and they want to give their child a chance at a decent life. Still other women in crisis are not young and pregnant but elderly and destitute, they too need love and care and a chance to come to know Jesus Christ. The door is open for women who want to change their lives and learn how to be good parents, those who want to break the cycle of abuse and neglect. The door is open to all those who God leads here, but, we need your help. Our God-Given Goal
If you are interested in supporting the River of Life Christian Care Home & Fellowship, please contact the overseas founders & directors at Street Kids Ministry - Odessa, UkraineOdessa has become a harbor to hundreds of street kids from all over Ukraine. A blend of drug abuse, sexual violence, romantic freedom, and probing adventure affect the lives of uncountable street children every day. In October of 2002 the Lord gave us a glimpse of his breaking heart for the children of our streets. He mobilized us to go out and find kids where they live. Now that we know many of them personally, it is clear to us that God has a very special plan for street kids world-wide. He jealously pursues them in all places. In spite of their complex culture and often multi-leveled personalities, their hearts are yearning for a love that is out of this world. Clothes and food play a role in our ministry, but it has become our primary goal to make Jesus known among them. Night after night a team of ministers are building bridges to them through skits, stories, and fellowship. In several locations children have responded to the gospel and their lives and hearts are slowly being transformed by the Holy Spirit. The Joshua Project - Timisoara, RomaniaThe Joshua Project is a ministry to the HIV/AIDS community of Romania, currently. We devote our time and love to children and families infected with HIV and AIDS. We believe that the love of Christ is central to what is needed to give them hope today and prepare them for eternity in heaven. There is hope in the midst of HIV/AIDS! Joshua Project World Ministries website. View or download the most recent information about The Joshua Project (PDF). The Good News Club - Gorzow, PolandGoals:
The club focuses on children ages 5 to 13 from various social backgrounds of the city. The first priority is to reach the children from poor and dysfunctional families. Once a month there is a service for children and their parents. This year these services will be done together with two other evangelical churches from the area. All thanks goes to God for bringing more people who want to be involved in this ministry. During the summer and winter when the children are having a break from school, Camps. there are organized leisure activities. These activities include camps and field trips. Seminar and various teaching sessions are provided for parents. For last four years there has been the opportunity to distribute shoebox gifts through the international organization, "Samaritan's Purse." During this time, the Gospel is shared with the children and their parents. Through the work of the Good News Club many close relationships with children and their parents have been established. The work here in Poland is an investment for the future. In a few years they will make important decisions in their lives and we hope that the time and effort devoted to showing them the right path will bring fruit that will glorify the Kingdom of God. Children have always been the most open mission field. Unlike the adults, children are opened to God’s truth. They receive love and acceptance with joy since very often they do not experience these things at home. Other Children's Ministry and Outreach Programs |