Every Child Ministries

Infobox Non-profit
Non-profit_name = Every Child Ministries
Non-profit_
Non-profit_type = Evangelical Missions Agency
founded_date = 1985
founder = John & Lorella Rouster
location = U.S.
key_people = John &Lorella Rouster, David Lubaale ["Orphan ministry celebrates full circle", Mission Network News,Apr. 16, 2008] [www.ecmafrica.org/36234.ihtml]
area_served = 6 African countries
focus = African children, especially those neglected or marginalized by society
method =
revenue =
endowment =
num_volunteers =
num_employees =
num_members =
owner =
Non-profit_slogan = "Hope for the forgotten children of Africa"
homepage = [http://www.ecmafrica.org/ ECMAfrica.org ]
[http://www.ecmghana.org ECM Ghana]
[http://www.ecmuganda.org ECM Uganda]
[http://www.ecmnewsudan.com ECM New Sudan]
[http://www.mcedrcongo.com ECM Dem. Rep. of Congo]
[http://www.ecmhavenofhope.com Haven of Hope Orphanage in Ghana]
[http://www.tosponsorachild.com ECM Child Sponsorship Portal]
dissolved =
footnotes =

Every Child Ministries is a Christian charity and mission agency that specializes in uplifting African children. The charity is specially known for its advocacy on behalf of neglected, downtrodden, and marginalized groups of African children. [2007 Christian Ministry Sourcebook, “Mission Agencies—International Focus”, 2007, p. 159.] It was first incorporated in the US in the state of Indiana in 1985, but is now incorporated and recognized as an NGO in numerous African countries. [Every Child Ministries Annual Report 2008, “Growing Strong”, c. 2008, p. 1]

Programs [Every Child Ministries Annual Report, “Growing Strong”, ECM Publications, Hebron, IN, 2008, p.2-16.]

Initiative against shrine slavery (ritual servitude)(Ghana, Togo, Benin) [The Christian Post, www.christianpost.com, January 22, 2004, "Christian Group Helps Release Fetish Slaves in Ghana"]

Initiative for street children (DR Congo, Ghana) [The Street Children of Kinshasa, www.drcongochildren.org/?page_id=3]

Vocational apprenticeship for street youth (DR Congo, Ghana)

Haven of Hope Children’s Home/Orphanage (Ghana) ["Couple Helps African Street Children Get a Christmas Home", Kathie Godfrey, The News, Merrillville, IN, Dec. 26, 2003,p.3.] [The Christian Post, www.christianpost.com, December 2, 2003, "Haven of Hope in Ghana Celebrates First Anniversary"]

Educational assistance for orphans & vulnerable children through sponsorship (DR Congo, Uganda, Ghana) ["Childhood Lost in Uganda", Mission Network News Quarterly Newsletter, Spring 2008, Cornerstone University, Grand Rapids, MI.] ["Mission to Africa", Susan Lorimor, Post-Tribune of NW Indiana, Feb. 25, 2001.]

Special helps programs for albinos (Uganda) [Action Plan for Uganda Gulu District published by Every Child Ministries,2008]

Training for teachers of children and youth (DR Congo, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Uganda, New Sudan) ["The Forgotten Children", John W. Kennedy, Power for Living, July 6, 2008, SP Publications, Colorado Springs, CO]

Intensive 9-month training for “teachers of teachers” (Spécialisation en Education Chrétienne) DR Congo

Leadership training (DR Congo, Ghana, Nigeria)

Teachers’ resource libraries (DR Congo, Ghana)

Development & publication of uplifting literature on health themes, education, literacy, and spiritual values (DR Congo, Togo, Benin, Uganda)

Kids’ Clubs & Sunday Schools for children (DR Congo, Ghana, Uganda, Sudan, Togo, Benin) ["Catching the Global Vision", Kurt Jarvis, K! Magazine, KidzMatter,Inc., Jan-Feb 2008, p. 57.]

Health services (DR Congo, Uganda)

Main Fields of Service [Every Child Ministries Annual Report, “Growing Strong,” ECM Publications, Hebron, IN, 2008, p. 1.]

DR Congo (formerly Zaire) since 1985

Ghana since 1999

Uganda since 2006

New (southern) Sudan since 2006

Togo since 2006

Benin since 2006

ECM training has also reached Rep. of Congo Brazzaville, Angola, and Nigeria.

History [Summarized from Every Child Ministries’ main organizational website, www.ecmafrica.org, 2008.]

Every Child Ministries (ECM, sometimes called ECMAfrica) was founded by John and Lorella Rouster in 1985 after serving three years in what was then Zaire with another evangelical mission. John had an agricultural background and later earned a Biblical studies certificate from Moody Bible Institute. Lorella was a teacher, Christian educator, and journalist, also an alumna of Moody Bible Institute,Tri-State University(B.A.)and Covington Theological Seminary (M.R.E.) ["The Rousters Saw the Need to Teach Children About God", Agnieska Zielinksa,Student Union, Moody External Studies, Moody Bible Institute, 1999, Issue 3, p. 1.] The Rousters served a total of nine years in Zaire (now DR Congo)—a little more than three before founding ECM (1981-Spring 1984) and six with ECM (1990-1996). ["Family Plans Teaching Mission", Cedar Lake Journal, Cedar Lake, IN March 15, 1989] [Family Makes a Difference" Neigbors, Post-Tribune of NW IN, Merrillville, IN, Dec. 31, 1989] During this time Lorella wrote numerous books in the African Kituba language, translated songs, Gospel and health booklets, which were published by ECM. She also developed an extensive training manual for teachers of children. This book was later published in seven languages spoken in Africa: Kituba, Lingala, Tshiluba, French, English, Spanish, Portuguese. [Four of these languages (Kituba, Lingala, Tshiluba and French)were published in DR Congo, CEDI, BP 11398 Kinshasa 1, DR Congo, Depot Legal No. 3.0921-7571-7MSC-98. The original version, in Kituba, was called, "Ecole du Dimanche, Kulonga Bantu na Niveau na Bo" (Sunday School--Teaching People on their Level", 1998).] From 1985 to 1998, Every Child Ministries served only in DR Congo and was mainly limited to Christian education, training of teachers, development of literature, and health services. In 1985 ECM was featured in the "Mission Explorers Video Series" [www.kidstalkaboutgod.org/?TabId=64 Mission Explorers Video Series] with Carey Kinsolving. These ministries have continued and expanded under national leadership. ["Fighting is over, training for outreach underway", Mission Network News,March 9, 2007] ["ECM celebrates the growth of children's programs", Mission Network News, March 28, 2005]

Since 1999 three tendencies have been noticeable: 1. Rapid expansion into other African countries, and 2. A growing tendency to focus on the needs of what the organization deems as the most marginalized and neglected children, 3. A growing emphasis on Child sponsorship [One example is "Helping orphans...in Congo", Mission Network News, June 29, 2006] .

In 1997 the Rousters returned from Congo. Floyd Bertsch had served as International Director while the Rousters were in Congo, but upon their return they again took the position of International Director, sharing the duties as co-directors.

In 1999 an evaluatory trip was made to Ghana. As a result, several initiatives were established there including the Initiative against shrine slavery ritual servitude ["Mission Against Slavery, Sandi O'Brien, Post-Tribune of NW Indiana, March 13, 2003] and the Initiative for Street children. ["Street Children in Crisis Around the World", Lorella Rouster, SST/GH Summer 2008, UGP, Cleveland, OH, p. 58-59.] ["Ministry helps unite families in poverty-stricken Africa", Mission Network News, April 9, 2007]

In 2001 ECM initiated a program called "Character Building from the Bible" in some of the public schools of Ghana. ["Ghana's public schools embrace Bible-based teaching", Mission Network News, Aug. 31, 2006]

In November 2002 Haven of Hope Home/orphanage was founded. Forty-five children now find a safe haven there. Many were homeless street children, some are orphans, abandoned children, former shrine slaves and children of former slaves. ["Couple Helps African Street Children Get a Christmas Home", Kathie Godfrey, The News, Merrillville, IN, Dec. 26, 2003,p.3.] [The Christian Post, www.christianpost.com, December 2, 2003, "Haven of Hope in Ghana Celebrates First Anniversary"] The home now includes a school, Haven of Hope Academy, offering Nursery through Class 6. [www.ecmafrica.org/36238.ihtml Haven of Hope Academy]

In January 2003 Every Child Ministries held its first liberation of shrine slaves known as trokosi, cooperating with International Needs Ghana. ["Fetish slaves freed in Ghana" Mission Network News, Jan. 22, 2004] [www.ecmafrica.org/36289.ihtml] This was followed by another liberation in January 2004 in cooperation with FESLIM (Fetish Slaves Liberation Movement) ["Fighting Child Slavery in West Africa", Lorella Rouster, SST/GH Fall 2007, p.30-31.] ["Hugs open the hearts of hurting women", Mission Network News, May 19, 2004] [www.ecmafrica.org/36208.ihtml] , and a third in December 2005 [www.ecmafrica.org/165357.ihtml] . ECM has been very active in advocating for the abolition of the practice and the liberation of existing slaves. [cite news|url=http://www.modernghana.com/news/84379/1/126-trokosi-slaves-to-be-freed.mgl| title=126 Trokosi Slaves to Be Freed|date=August 17, 2005 |work=Ghanaian Chronicle |accessdate=2008-09-30] ["Couple's Mission Is to Help Children in Africa", The Indianapolis Star, March 11, 2001] ["The Harvest Show", Jan. 25, 2007, LeSEA Broadcasting, South Bend, IN] In 2007 they released a DVD for their anti-slavery project called "Stomp Out Slavery" to help raise public awareness. ["ECM offers new resource on modern-day slavery",Mission Network News, June 12, 2007] In January 2008, ECM issued a "Prayer Guide against Modern Slavery" in celebration of the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation ["Ministry calls for prayer on anniversary of 150th Anniversay of [Emancipation Proclamation] , Mission Network News, Jan. 4, 2008]

In 2003 ECM expanded its ministry to street children to include DR Congo, ministering to children living on Kinshasa's streets with meals twice a week, vocational training, literacy classes, sports teams, gardening and Bible classes. ["Congo's homeless children building new lives", Mission Network News, Sept. 29, 2006] ["Soccer program helps draw street kids to the Gospel", Mission Network News, Jan.3, 2005.] ["Despite the war in the DRC, ministry to children is a top priority" Mission Network News, Oct. 29, 2003]

The same year they introduced an in-depth method of teaching the Bible. Called "Step by Step, Slowly", the approach teaches Bible passages phrase by phrase involving a four step process--Read, Question, Act it out, Sing and Dance. ["Active teaching enlivens Sunday School in Congo", Mission Network News, March 16, 2004]

In 2006 ECM made investigatory trips into Togo, Benin, Uganda, and New Sudan ["Every Child Ministries offers hope to New Sudan", Mission Network News, Jan. 12, 2007] , and conducted training for children’s teachers in Uganda and New Sudan. [www.ecmafrica.org/1000728.ihtml]

This was followed by training for children’s teachers in Togo in 2007 [www.ecmafrica.org/165404.ihtml] and in Benin in 2008, ["Ministry works to change mindset against children in Benin",Mission Network News,June 12, 2008] and by the establishment of a main base of operations with numerous projects in Uganda in 2007-2008. [www.ecmafrica.org/270003.ihtml] ["Giving Children a Second Chance", Veronica Vennah Kagona,Daily Monitor, Kampala, Uganda, July 28, 2008, http://www.monitor.co.ug/artman/publish/nie/Giving_children_a_second_chance_68907.shtml] ["Children Devastated by War", Lorella Rouster, SST/Gospel Herald, Fall 2008, Union Gospel Press, Cleveland Ohio, p. 8-9.]

Current projects in Uganda include Youth Vocational Training through raising poulty, ["Vocational Training for Needy Children Starts with an Egg", Mission Network News, Sept. 5, 2005] summer day camps and holiday parties for children in IDP camps, ["Ministry team brings hope to Uganda",Mission Network News,August 20,2008.] ["Ministry headway made in Uganda's civil war", [Mission Network News, December 12, 2006] , and an initiative to help albino children and improve public acceptance of them ["Blessing for albino children in Uganda",Mission Network News, October 6,2008.]

Missiological Distinctives

Every Child Ministries is a nonsectarian Christian mission of evangelical persuasion. [Mission Handbook 2007-2009, USA & Canadian Ministries Overseas, Ed. By Linda J. Weber & Dotsey Welliver, , EMIS (Evangelical Missions Information Service), Billy Graham Center, Wheaton College, Wheaton, IL, 2007.] Its members come from many different Christian churches. It is a hands-on type mission making extensive use of volunteers ["Many hands take the message of hope to Africa", Mission Network News, May 31, 2006] [www.volunteermatch.org] and involving people from many different backgrounds. As a mission agency ECM sends both career and short-term missionaries [Summer of Service 2005, "Ben Pitzen-Every Child Ministries Ghana", Northwestern College, Orange City, IA] and widely supports the work of African nationals. [www.ecmafrica.org/36196.ihtml]

Memberships & Affliations

Every Child Ministries has been a member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability since 1987. [ECFA 2006 Member List, ECFA, Winchester, VA, 2006, p. 13.] ,the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance, [http://charityreports.bbb.org/public/Report.aspx?CharityID=3937&bureauID=9999 ] and Mission Network News. [www.mnnonline.org] It is also a member of STEER, a group that involves agriculturalists in mission support. [www.steerinc.com] Since 1997, ECM has participated in the triennial Urbana (convention) Student Missions Conference, where Co-Director Lorella Rouster taught a 2006 seminar on “Healing the Children of War.” [www.urbana.org Urbana (convention) Student Missions Conference] The organization has also regularly participated in the Greater Chicago Sunday School Association, where they have presented many workshops for teachers. [Greater Chicago Sunday School Association, 2006 Convention Program, "Preparing God's People to Serve" and 2005 Convention Program, "Dynamically Using Our Gifts to Serve God", where Lorella Rouster of Every Child Ministries is listed as presenting several workshops. GCSSA, Elmhurst, IL] In 2005 they were the featured international ministry at the Children's Pastor's Conferences sponsored by the International Network of Children's Ministry. [www.incm.org]

References

External links

[http://www.ecmafrica.org/ Official website]