Children of Promise (COP) serves children in desperate need in developing countries where the Church of God is active.

COP provides nutrition (food), education (school fees, supplies, uniform, materials, etc.), health care, and spiritual nurture for children living in poverty.

When national leaders or assemblies recognize over-whelming needs, they invite COP into their countries or regions. After training occurs and a plan is in place, children apply for sponsorship. Local committees visit homes and collect information regarding families’ needs and situations to determine for whom sponsorship is needed.

Program directors in each country are volunteer servants who oversee other volunteers who carry out the ministry through the local congregations of the Church of God in each country. 

COP is a member-in-good-standing of ECFA (Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability).  Annual reviews are conducted.  During the latest review, COP received a clean bill of health.

An annual audit is conducted according to national accounting standards by an independent accounting firm. The audit report is submitted to the Children of Promise Board of Directors and to ECFA.

Each sponsored child is visited and interviewed every three years or less.  During site visits, financial records and receipts are checked by US staff. Financial reports are reviewed, and parents, pastors, and local committee members are interviewed. A checklist of ministry expectations and questions is completed on site during each US staff visit.

Financial reports of onsite activities are submitted monthly to the Children of Promise office by program directors around the world.

COP invites and encourages its sponsors and donors to accompany COP staff on site visits, involving them in the interviewing of children, visiting their homes, as well as participating in program activities.

Across the globe, the Children of Promise child sponsorship ministry will develop adults who will lead lives characterized by

• Christ-centered living

• Appreciation for, and pursuit of, life-long learning

• Physical and emotional health

• Leadership and exemplary service in the Church of God and their communities

• Commitment to leading and providing for their families

• Improving care in the areas of health, loss, and abuse response

• Sponsor 5,000 children by 2013, and 10,000 by 2,020.

The ministry is governed by a Board of Directors made up of people from various walks of life and ministry.  (Presently, we have a state minister, international adoption attorney, engineer, CPA, college professor, assistant coordinator for Global Missions, executive director of Christian Women Connection, children’s pastor, church missions director, social worker, and family physician).  The executive director is responsible to the Board and serves as an ex-officio member.  The staff in the US office is responsible to the executive director.  Program directors around the world work with the executive director in carrying out the program guidelines, procedures, and expectations.

COP’s only sources of support are its sponsors and donors.  We do not receive any funds from Church of God Ministries, nor does COP contribute to Church of God Ministries.  All financial matters are separate, and each raises funds independently.

Of the monthly sponsorship amount given by sponsors (usually $25, but we do have a few programs at $30 and $40 per month), 15% is retained for Making It All Happen. This amount provides roughly 50% of the funds needed for operation. The other 50% must be raised through donations from churches and individuals to Making It All Happen. We have no other outside support.  It is a grass-roots effort with many people sacrificing so children can be helped.

Spiritual nurture is the most important benefit of the program.  Every child is required to be involved in the Sunday School or Christian education program of the local congregation in their community.  Parents agree to this when the child is enrolled.  Christ as Savior is introduced to every child.  We have had many families convert from Buddhism, Hinduism, Animism, etc.  One of our overriding goals is to have every child meet the Lord and become active contributors to the local church and community.

Some of our children have been literally saved from starvation, abuse, neglect, indentured servitude, homelessness, and death. Children and families attest to the fact that most of the children in the program would not be able to attend school without this assistance.  In some areas, the children would not eat at all were it not for the program.  As COP completes 18 years, we are now seeing the long-term results.  We have our first doctors, teachers, nurses, ministry leaders, lay leaders, architects, pastors, and self-sufficient adults.

• Giving to the “Making It All Happen” fund. This fund is the critical need. Giving to this fund blesses the entire ministry, and makes additional growth possible.

• Expanding staff to enable more children to be served.

• Involving more congregations in giving to Making It All Happen.

• Sponsoring more children by individuals, families, and organizations.