We took Sunday, November 8th, Pure Religion Sunday, to hear the cry of the needy and celebrate our partnership with World Orphans and Tsega Church in Ethiopia. Through this connection, we support the local church in Africa as they come alongside vulnerable families in Addis Ababa, helping mothers raise and provide for their families. This amazing program seeks to keep families together by empowering the caregivers, predominantly mothers, through spiritual, educational, and financial support as they start or improve businesses and come together for mutual support.
Pure Religion Sunday is rooted in James 1:27, “True devotion, the kind that is pure and faultless before God the Father, is this: to care for the orphans and widows…” It began in 2002 in a small church in Kalingalinga, Lusaka, Zambia, when Pastor Chondwe urged his poverty-stricken congregation to give what little they had—food, clothing, and even the shoes off their feet—to support local orphans and widows. American visitor Gary Schneider witnessed the congregation’s generous response to Pastor Chondwe’s appeal and brought the vision back to the United States. The concept continued to spread across churches in Zambia and the U.S. It is now observed annually on the second Sunday of November across more than 120 countries. So, we were in good company marking the day!
Our connection with World Orphans is centered on prayer for Tsega church and its members who are the hands and feet of Jesus in their community, identifying families, bringing them into the program, making monthly home visits, and ultimately graduating the participants as self-sustaining members of society. PTCUMC also provides monetary support to World Orphans for the work in Ethiopia. And next year we are planning a trip to Ethiopia where we will meet with the Tsega Church members to fellowship with and strengthen them for their important work. If you are interested in being involved or learning more, please contact Sandy Whittle at sandy@worldorphans.org