Church Mobilization 2.0
Church Mobilization 2.0
August 8, 2023
by Scott Nordstrom & Isaiah Kimani
Minister Isaiah and I worked to develop this concept, to deploy the local church to serve orphan children, going back to 2019. Based on an unplanned visit to Nairobi in 2019, I understood this to the place to begin.
This idea had long been a desire of mine based on my experience in Zambia in 2006. I am not going to go into details here, but I did know long ago that local churches were well equipped for this Kingdom work. It was only a matter of how this could be accomplished.
June 8, 2022 Great Commandment Workshop | Anglican Church of Kenya | St Paul Cathedral-Embu
After numerous strategy sessions between Isaiah and I, and then only after being delayed by COVID-19 for more than a year, we tested what would become the Great Commandment Workshop in a church in Lucky Summer Estate -in Nairobi in August 2021. We gained an understanding of how a workshop might work, received positive feedback from attendees, and also garnered interest from a number of churches for our official launch.
So in February 2022, this quest to deploy the local church to serve orphan children began with our official launch. So far we have been able to facilitate 20 of these one-day workshops and share this important information with 3,699 ministry leaders in Africa and Asia. Of these attendees, 2,419, or 65%, have agreed to go beyond simply attending the workshop to serving orphan children in their communities. We refer to these Kingdom Builders as GO! Ambassadors.
Since our first workshop, with Minister Isaiah and our Kenya team taking the lead, our local teams collect data each month on the progress of these GO! Ambassadors to make an impact in their community. Initially, Isaiah and I debated the merits of this task, and I believed that it was especially important for considering the return-on-investment for this newly launched initiative. I was already convinced that the Father was going to move powerfully through His church on the behalf of His children, but with competing initiatives and mission projects within our ministry, I needed data to convince others as to the merit of this investment.
Over a year now we have been gathering data, compiling results, and then attempting to ascertain our findings. Following up with over 2,000 people that we were only in contact with during a one-day workshop has not been without its challenges. Recently, I asked Minister Isaiah to outline what he believed to be our objectives with our monthly follow-up process. The purpose of this activity has obviously become more that simply measuring results. His response is worth sharing I believe…
Here are my 5 reasons why we reach out based on my understanding. There are probably many other reasons to this.
Accountability and Reporting: One of the primary reasons Global Orphan Relief (GO!) reaches out to its network of ambassadors each month is to ensure accountability and proper reporting. By regularly contacting the ambassadors, GO! can collect accurate and up-to-date data on the number of children served, the types of support provided, and the overall impact of their activities. This information is crucial for monitoring the progress of the organization's mission and for demonstrating transparency to donors and supporters.
Monitoring and Evaluation: Monthly communication with the ambassadors allows GO! to conduct ongoing monitoring and evaluation of their efforts. It enables the identification of any challenges or obstacles the ambassadors might be facing in their communities and helps in assessing the effectiveness of various support initiatives. This process enables GO! to make data-driven decisions, refine strategies, and continually improve their outreach programs.
Strengthening Partnerships: Regular contact with the ambassadors helps to foster strong and supportive partnerships. GO! values the dedication and commitment of their volunteers, and by maintaining consistent communication, we can show appreciation for their efforts. This builds a sense of camaraderie and motivates the ambassadors to continue their vital work with renewed enthusiasm.
Ensuring Needs are Met: Orphaned and vulnerable children's needs can change rapidly due to various circumstances. By checking in with the ambassadors monthly, GO! can promptly identify any emerging needs in the communities they serve. Whether it's providing additional resources, responding to emergencies, or adjusting support programs, this regular contact helps ensure that the children's needs are met promptly and effectively.
Empowerment and Support: Regular communication with the ambassadors is a way for GO! to provide ongoing support and resources to these dedicated individuals. Through GCW, GO! may offer guidance, training, or help ambassadors access relevant information that can help them enhance their support services for orphans. This empowerment not only improves the quality of care provided to the children but also strengthens the ambassadors' sense of purpose and dedication to the cause.
Overall, the monthly calls to ambassadors represent a critical aspect of Global Orphan Relief's commitment to its mission. By maintaining strong relationships with its ambassadors, GO! can work collaboratively towards its goal of improving the lives of orphans and vulnerable children around the world especially in Kenya, Zambia and Asia including emerging mission fields.
Minister Isaiah & Kenya Team with Scott Nordstrom | Great Commandment Workshop | May 1, 2023 | Anglican Church of Kenya -Bungoma
Minister Isaiah continues to impress, along with his local Kenya team, Pastors Barry and Kyembe in Zambia, and Pastor Ajay in Asia. We are so blessed to be partnered with such visionary leaders and Spirit-filled men and women. I can’t possibly communicate to you -all that I have seen, heard, or experienced in the field over the years, but please know that our Church Mobilization Initiative is being led by stellar group of leaders that have a heart for the orphan child.
Church Mobilization 2.0 in 2024 will tentatively include launches into Ethiopia, Nepal, Uganda, and the United States. In addition, we will hold more intimate gatherings of GO! Ambassadors that are active in their communities to determine next steps for this initiative. We will continue to ask this question until things become for clear.
As all of the Great Commandment Workshops begin their monthly reporting, we would project that this group will eventually serve 8,424 orphan children in the next 6-8 months. I believe that we are only getting started!
To support this growing Initiative, you may select the Donate button on the top-right of this screen or go to Global Orphan Relief and simply enter the amount that you wish to contribute and select Church Mobilization under ‘Fund’.
Global Orphan Relief (GO) has been serving orphaned children since 2005. We have accomplished this work to date through local partners in each country that provides oversight and distribution of care. We have accomplished this work through local partners in each country that provides oversight and distribution of care. As of June, we served 5,860 orphan children in Ethiopia, Kenya, Pakistan, South Sudan, and Zambia within our Home-based Care, Scholarship, Nutrition, and Church Mobilization Initiatives.
Scott Nordstrom leads GO! today and has done so since we launched in 2005. Scott has served with GO! for 18-years. Scott has been instrumental in deploying 174 volunteers on 29 teams to the mission field, and has personally served in DR Congo, India, Kenya, Mexico, Nepal, South Sudan, and Zambia. Scott is a published author and speaks in the United States, as well as, internationally regarding child welfare and matters of faith, hope, and love.
Minister Isaiah Githinji Kimani is currently the Director designate for the Global Orphan Relief’s Church Mobilization Initiative in Kenya. He is leading in championing the rights, interests, and well-being of orphan children by deploying the local Church to be more focused on serving orphaned children in their communities. Isaiah is a graduate of Nations University-USA with a Master of Theological Studies degree and Christian Leaders College with a Bachelor of Divinity Degree, and he currently serves as a volunteer Dean of Students and a Global Minister for the Christian Leaders Alliance based in the US. Isaiah is an ordained minister of the Word with Christian Leaders Alliance and a member of Parklands Baptist Church Westlands in Nairobi. He also serves as a Director in the Kenya National Congress of Pentecostal Churches (KNCPC). Isaiah is the husband to Ruth Sheen and a father to Gracious.
You may send support or other correspondence to Global Orphan Relief, 16352 Prairie Farm Circle, Parker, CO 80134 or you may give on this website at the upper righthand corner under ‘Donate’.
Movement of FAITH | Voice of HOPE | Act of LOVE
Global Orphan Relief (GO!) is a Christian relief agency serving vulnerable children and is a recognized U.S. public charity, tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3). All donations to GO!, or any charitable contribution processed through Network For Good Donor Advised Fund, are tax deductible to the extent of the law. If you prefer, you may provide gifts of support by sending via mail to the address above.