Congo-Kinshasa (MNN) — After 25 years of ministry, it's expected for a ministry to be fairly established. What is unexpected after 25 years, however, is for a ministry to have created 2,300 Sunday schools, hundreds of child sponsorships, a home for street children, two street ministries, and the rebirth of thousands as a result.
2010 marks the 25th anniversary of Every Child Ministries. ECM was founded by John and Lorella Rouster and has since encouraged the faith of thousands of children and adults in Congo, Ghana, and other regions of Africa.
"We saw the need and were encouraged by a couple of Congolese pastors to start a ministry specifically for reaching children and for training the Africans," says John Rouster of the couple's establishing the ministry. "So in 1985, Every Child Ministries was formed with the purpose of reaching the Africans so they can reach their own people."
Throughout their years of faithful obedience to the Lord through ECM, the Rousters have been able to see the fruit of their ministry firsthand. Several children that first heard about Christ from one of their Sunday school classes or other programs have gone on to become strong believers, even pastors.
John Rouster mentioned several accounts of people who have been changed by the work of Every Child Ministries, all of which are testimonies of the ministry's effectiveness. Just one example is of two boys who grew up to become pastors.
"Two young men came up to [Lorella] and said, ‘Mama, you don't remember us, but we were in one of your first Sunday schools way back in 1983. We got saved and went on to Bible school, and now we're pastors.'"
As ECM celebrates 25 years of dedication to the Lord, everyone who has supported the work of Every Child Ministries can be sure it has been well worth it. The ministry is thriving, but most importantly, lives are being changed by the truth of the Gospel because of the faithfulness of a few.
Thank God for 25 years of ministry. Pray that He would continue to bless and guide ECM for the next 25.
To learn more about ECM's kingdom-work in Africa, visit www.ecmafrica.org.
