Have you heard of ZOE, but thought your church was too small to make a difference? Now you have an exciting opportunity to pool resources with other NCC churches, utilizing Mission Seed Funds, and make an incredible difference in the lives of 60 to 100 orphan and vulnerable children. The NCC Mission Team set aside matching funds in the 2015 budget to help match small church commitments of up to $500 each for a three year commitment to ZOE.
What is ZOE?
ZOE is a distinctive three year program in Africa that empowers orphans and vulnerable children around the world to overcome extreme poverty, become fully self-reliant, and learn of God’s love for them. Currently led by Rev. Gaston Warner, ZOE was born in NC under the leadership of Rev. Greg Jenks and encouragement and support from the NC Conference. Utilizing a non-institutional empowerment model developed in Africa, ZOE is very successful at transforming the lives of orphans and other vulnerable children in just three years. Zoe currently enrolls 28,000 children and operates in Guatemala, India, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Rwanda, and Zimbabwe. Meet a ZOE Child on-line and be inspired by their stories.
ZOE’s major source of funding is from financial partners in the US, churches and individuals who sponsor a Working Group or make unrestricted gifts to cover ZOE’s operations.
Tell Me More About the Matching Seed Fund Grant
In order to make it easier for small to medium sized churches to share the joy of being a ZOE Hope Companion, the NCC Mission Team set aside $7,500 in the 2015 budget to provide matching grants of up to $500 each, for churches who have never supported ZOE to become a joint sponsor of a new working group. Sunday school classes or groups affiliated with local NCC churches that are new to ZOE are also eligible. A three year commitment is expected. In return, church members will be permanently transforming the lives of 60 to 100 children. Partners receive regular updates about how their children are doing and have the opportunity to visit their ZOE children to meet them and see the ministry in person. More about ZOE Trips of Hope is available on-line.
How to Apply for a ZOE Seed Fund Grant
To find out more information and to get an application form, please contact Rev. Dr. Bill Haddock at revbillh@nccumc.org or by phone at 910-262-3831. Please apply no later than Dec 10, 2015, as funds will lapse at the end of 2015. But don’t wait, APPLY NOW!