Our God who is a father to the fatherless, has called me to care for destitute children. He has helped me to care and provide for hundreds of kids over the years. I have always wanted to help people in need. 

Growing up, I had to face a few challenges at school. A few Hindu teachers and fellow students used to bully me and call me names, because I was a Christian. If I, who have parents, was ill-treated that way, I was reminded of the life of orphaned kids which disturbed me, and left a deep impression on my heart to take a stand for them one day (Proverbs 31:8-9). 

Some years passed and I finished my biblical education in the States. Returning to India, I heard the Spirit of the Lord saying, “I helped you through someone else to get your education and become what you are today; I want you to help someone back home in India.” A few days later, I went to minster in a fishermen colony and found four children in desperate conditions. So, I started the orphanage in 1993 with those four kids and the orphanage quickly grew to 500 children within a short time. 

In the past 24 years, God has touched several hundreds of kids through our ministry. I have seen children who do not know what it feels like to be loved. I can tell you numerous stories of kids who came to us dejected, unhappy, heartbroken, and abandoned. Here is one such story of a brother and sister, who were ages 4 and 7 respectively, when they came to our orphanage: Their father was a drunkard who abused their mother physically every single day. After a heated argument one night, he hit her with an iron rod in a fit of rage. Blood oozed out of her head and she died instantly. He also killed himself afterward. The kids were suddenly orphaned and they began begging on the street to fill their stomachs. Being superstitious, their aunt considered them to be unlucky and cursed. So, she would not care for them, but brought them to our orphanage.

It has been 12 years since then and those children grew into wonderful Christian teenagers. Raji, the big sister says, “Every child in this orphanage has a sad past, but we all are saved by the grace of Jesus Christ. He kept us safe, provided all that we needed, and has given us spiritual parents that care for us like their own.”

We do the best we can to serve the orphans and provide for them. I always want to help more kids if I can. Although there are numerous child support and welfare organizations in the world, millions of children are still orphaned and in desperate need of just a little care. 

I pray the Lord burdens the heart of the church and raises defenders for the orphans, and that they would feel compelled to protect and provide for the orphans. I always seek the help of God to live out James 1:27 to the fullest. We must be burdened to pray for God’s provision for all their needs, to protect them, to care for them, to defend them, and to keep them safe. 

Bishop Jyothi K Reddi
State Overseer
Founder President Jyothi’s Home for Children
Andhra Pradesh, India

Give to This Project, #740-0109

Premadasa Ginigalgoda is the overseer of Sri Lanka, an island country located southeast of India, and is home to many cultures, languages and races. The 2016 population estimation is 21.20 million, and Buddhists comprise 70 percent of that number. Buddhism has a 3,000-year history in India. The Church of God entered Sri Lanka in 1997.

After World War 2, Sri Lanka experienced great poverty, which has continued its hold on the nation since. As a young child, Premadasa had a pet calf, but because they had no money, and his sister was seriously ill, his calf was sold to save her life. His mother encouraged him to go to the Buddhist temple at age 12 where he could earn money, be educated, and have status. Yet, Premadasa knew the Buddhist life was not the answer to eternal life. Frustrated, he began reading the Bible at age 21, although he did not understand it. However, his heart was captured by Jesus Christ. Premadasa realized he was not to worship idols. This caused quite a stir among the other monks. When asked by the priest why he was disobeying, he stated he would respect only the precepts and the good things, and live according to his conscience.

Destiny would have it that Premadasa found a Christian pamphlet, and in his sleep one night, revelation came. He heard the voice of Jesus say … “Son, I love you and gave My life for you!” An overwhelming peace came over him. The Lord led him to a pastor who provided him a home and instruction; later Premadasa attended Bible school and went into the ministry.

Manila, Philippines is a city of contrasts. Like all world class cities, it is all there in Manila: tall skyscrapers, malls, condominiums, casinos, 5-star hotels, restaurants, a booming business district and people; almost two million. In Manila, you will find the young and old, the rich and the poor, and yes, light and darkness. Yet in the midst of the darkness, there is a ray of light- Church of God Marriott Manila, led by Pastor AJ Velasco.

Field Director Andrew Binda; Manila Metro Overseer Navaro; COG Mariott Manila Pastor A. J. Velasco

Two years before COG World Missions dreamed of the Send the Light to the Cities initiative, pastor AJ had the vision to reach his city for the Lord.  In his own words, we must, “Go to the city and make our presence felt because that is where the people are,” it is where they study, work, live and are entertained. Upon choosing Manila as one of the Lighthouse Cities, we decided instead of “reinventing the wheel”, we would partner with this existing, but relatively new ministry to accomplish the vision of Church of God World Missions Director, Dr. David M. Griffis. To quote Dr. Griffis, “A church that loves the world with a John 3:16 passion cannot take its evangelism mandate seriously without looking to the cities.”

Presently, Church of God Marriott Manila has over 200 congregants on a weekly basis.  Converts are trained to become “disciples making disciples.”  A facility has been secured in a strategic location, which will function as an operational hub for the ministry. This facility will be used as a Discipleship Training and Church Planting Center. The cost to secure the facility is $250 000 USD and we have set this amount as our goal for this particular project. We are hoping to raise these funds prior to the upcoming 2018 General Assembly. Several states have pledged their support, however we are still in need of other donors. Please prayerfully consider giving to the Lighthouse City of Manila -Church of God Marriot Manila.  Donations should be sent to Church of God World Missions, PO Box 8016, Cleveland, TN 37320: Project #102-9435-006.

With the help of the Lord and through your faithful giving, we will transform this city from a City of Darkness to a City of Light.  Jesus Christ is the Light of the World (John 8:12) and according to John 12:46 that Light has come into the world.  I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness. NKJV.

– Andrew Binda is the Field Director for COGWM Asia/Pacific

Click here to support the SL2C work in Manila: Project 102-9435-006