Written by Reesheda Washington, project leader
As 2012 officially comes to a close, Covenant Kids Congo powered by World Vision has much to be grateful for and excited about!
We wrapped up the year with over 200 churches having committed to hosting a Hope Event. Though some of those churches have 2013 dates that they are currently planning and preparing for, over 75% of these churches have already experienced the fulfillment that comes from sharing with others and the transformation that is produced by whole congregations fully committed to learning about Congo and standing alongside our Congolese brothers and sisters with an unwavering commitment to lean into God’s help and strength, and to work together to stamp out extreme poverty in the Equateur Province of Congo.
Since October 1, 2012 when the ECC, along with World Vision, officially launched our Hope Sunday events, Covenanters from all over North America and Canada have signed up to support over 3,000 children! In just three short months, the ECC and WV have made history through this partnership by partnering in the ways our two organizations have and by bearing much fruit in such a short period of time.
We are humbled by the ways in which large churches have committed to close to 200 kids in some cases! We are equally inspired by the ways in which both small churches and new church plants have worked by faith to commit to the equivalent of 25% of their congregations’ regular attendance in child sponsorships! We know that the sacrifices have been great to pour out these blessings in some cases, and for that, on behalf of the CEUM (Covenant Church of Congo) and our Congolese friends, we say thank you!
So, we celebrate the successes that have come in 2012, but we dare not grow weary at such a time as this, when extreme need continues to plague this beautiful country and its people—God’s people. Of the 12,754 children registered for sponsorship in August 2012, sixteen of them have already passed away. Many who perished from treatable illnesses were quietly removed from the program prior to the October launch date, while on the ground volunteers and the CKC prayer team prayed for their loved ones. However, some had been sponsored for just a month or so, as we learned of their transition. The families of these children in Congo as well as families who had discerned a commitment to sponsor these who have passed on, will be forever transformed by the precious young lives to which they once connected through prayer and support. Let us continue with a vast urgency and fervency to rest in the stories and hearts of the Congolese and support them through child sponsorship.
The work is not over. In fact, it is really only beginning. Our goal is that by the end of the Midwinter 2013, we will have a total of 400 churches who have already hosted a Hope Event or have a committed date to do so in 2013, with a commitment to doubling the number of children currently sponsored by the year two launch, October 1, 2013. Our short but successful history supports the fact that these goals are reasonable and attainable; however, it will take all of our churches operating as one larger church committed to this common goal for us to address the needs of our friends in Congo in sustainable, impactful ways.
Please show your support by:
- Signing up for a 2013 Hope Sunday event date online (sign up by the end of Midwinter 2013 this February)
- RSVP for the CKC Midwinter Luncheon to be held at Midwinter on Tuesday, February 5, 2013 at 11:15 a.m. to receive more information (if you haven’t already hosted a Hope Event)
- Encourage church leaders in your circle of influence to host a Hope Event if their church hasn’t already done so
- Contact Karen Hallberg to inquire about upcoming vision trips at karen.hallberg@covchurch.org
- And most importantly, pray for our Congolese brothers and sister and the entire Covenant Kids Congo powered by World Vision team
Thank you to each and every one of you who have in any way contributed at any time and through any ministry to the betterment of the Congolese and the beautiful country of Congo. May God continue to bless and keep us all as we work to be supportive of one another’s transformation. Amen.
