Our History
|
It was a hot and humid July afternoon in 1999. We were traveling through the largely untouched far western flat lands of Nepal, and were stopped at an army checkpoint where it is typical to see armed Nepali military personnel. As we waited to be excused, a young girl approached our car carrying a basket of lemons on her head. Her unkempt hair laced the shoulders of her worn and filthy blouse with missing buttons. Her skirt, caked with mud and covered with stains, hung loosely about her thin frame. Her feet were filthy, from what was probably a long, hot walk along the dusty roads leading to the main highway. She approached our car and asked if we would purchase the fruit for change. I felt compelled to have our contact ask her if I could pay her for her picture instead. Upon this request, she lit up. At that moment, it seemed that time stopped, and that the glory of God was shining through the smile of this child.
As we drove away, I was left to ponder…can a simple show of love change a child’s life? Can love bring hope? I remembered the words of Jesus in Matthew 19:14, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” I knew at that moment that my heart was being pulled toward children in third-world countries. I knew that bringing children to Christ would be bringing them to love, hope, and a future as a Promise Child.It is my hope that God would stir in your heart a desire to partner with us in shining God’s glory through Promise Child. |
Promise Child Board Members
Pastor Brent & Nancy Kaser
|
Pastor Brent and Nancy Kaser founded Promise Child in 2003 after the Lord burdened their hearts for hurting children. Brent is the missions and men’s pastor at Calvary Chapel WestGrove, and his desire is to stir up the body of Christ to reach the nations with the gospel. Nancy is an author, charter school administrator, and oversees the promotional aspects of the ministry. One or both of the Kasers travel to each of the Promise Child countries as often as possible to provide accountability to our sponsors and to disciple our in-country workers. Pastor Brent and his family live in Garden Grove, CA.
|
|
|
Rich & Kerry YoungRich and Kerry Young got involved with Promise Child right at it’s inception by sponsoring a child. A year later, they traveled to Nepal to meet their sponsored child on a mission trip. That trip inspired a passion for the ministry and a love for missions. Upon retiring, the Youngs began to volunteer full time for Promise Child. Rich is the treasurer for the ministry and oversees all the legal aspects involved, while Kerry is the ministry administrator. Rich and Kerry live in Sagle, Idaho.
|
Pastor Rob DouglassPastor Rob Douglass has partnered with Promise Child since 2008. His ministry, Ends of the Earth, is directly linked with our work in South Sudan. As a former missionary in Sudan, Rob provides excellent insight on how we can best serve our missionaries. Rob had a burden to reach un-reached people and for raising up and training national pastors and leaders. Rob is a dynamic speaker, and has a great understanding of God’s scriptures. Rob, his wife Heidi, and their three children live in Yorba Linda, CA.
|
|
|
Brandon LavelloBrandon Lavello has been a long time partner with Promise Child through various means. His heart is to serve the Lord to the best of his abilities and with all of his God-given talents. Brandon is pursuing a career in computer science and has used this training to advance all of Promise Child’s endeavors. From website building, to profile card creation and storage, to video editing, to database updating, and so much more, Brandon has served faithfully in the mission field and stateside for Promise Child. He is a significant part of our team both practically and spiritually. We are blessed to have someone like him who is not only very talented but also has an incredible heart, a burden for lost children and their families all over the world.
|
|
Vertical Divider
Talia Jankowski - International Program CoordinatorAt just 11 years old Talia began her journey in missions and working hand and hand with Promise Child when she went on a Promise Child America mission trip to the other side of the United States. She is now a full time part of our leadership team as our International Program Coordinator, which encompasses a variety of objectives with the main goal to grow partnership and increase Promise Child's effectiveness in our global endeavors. Because we ensure 100% of your donated money goes to the designated project or child, Talia joins us as an independently funded partner who is financially supported through means not pulled from the ministry.
If you'd like to help us expand and deepen our impact for the Kingdom of Christ, please consider becoming a financial partner with Talia. |
|