WHO WE ARE
Children of Grace has been in operation under various programs of the Greater Grace World Outreach Missions Department since the first missionaries went to Africa 20 years ago. It was run informally during that time as we helped individual children through established churches.
It was in the spring of 2005 that Children of Grace was set up as a separate non-profit 501(c) (3) organization. The purpose of it is exclusively charitable, educational, and nonprofit as defined under section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (or any corresponding provisions of the future United States Internal Revenue Law or Regulations.
We work in cooperation with Greater Grace World Outreach who partners with us to assist with administrative expertise, and also the best possible allocation of resources.
Children of Grace operates in several locations throughout Africa to address the spiritual and physical needs of children, by expressing the love of God as we minister to the needs of: food, shelter, and education
Our current 9 member Board of Directors has expertise and experience in various fields, including overseas missions, finance, business, and children's education.
OUR HISTORY
In early 1988, Pastor Steve and Linda Scibelli became the first missionaries of Greater Grace World Outreach in Africa. They moved to Ghana with their two children and it was there that they began the first Greater Grace churches and Bible colleges. They lived among the people and have ministered with all their hearts now for more than 20 years. It was during their early years in Ghana that Linda Scibelli felt led by God to begin helping children, especially orphans, by giving what she could of her own means. Sometimes this was a simple meal or a piece of clothing. Other times it may have been paying their school fees or helping their families with resources.
As Greater Grace began to establish more churches in Africa, and Pastor Scibelli became the Missions Director in Africa, there were additional opportunities to help children throughout the continent. Because of the network of 205 churches in 23 African countries (as of Jan. 2008) people often gave gifts specifically to be used for children. These gifts were administered to specific pastors, and they oversaw the gifts. As these various programs grew, it became apparent that it would be best to formalize and establish Children of Grace. Therefore in February of 2005, Children of Grace was registered with the U.S. government as a separate organization with the purpose of being exclusively charitable, educational, and nonprofit as defined under section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (or any corresponding provisions of the future United States Internal Revenue Law or Regulations.) It is under these guidelines that we desire to be good stewards of what the Lord has given.
We are grateful for this vision to establish Children of Grace to meet the physical and spiritual needs of the African children.
Although our emphasis in helping children has begun in Africa, we are in the process of establishing programs in other countries where we can work together with established churches.
THE NEED
Decades of devastation and heartache through war, poverty, and disease have left Africa and its population of almost 800 million people with some of the greatest needs facing our generation.
Millions upon millions of children throughout 55 countries cry out for help in many areas: spiritual, physical, emotional, and economic.
Through the ministry of Greater Grace World Outreach we have been able to reach several African countries and touch the lives of many orphans, bringing them the message that Jesus is the " The God of All Grace!"
"But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, establish, strengthen, settle you."
1 Peter 5:10
