East Africa (MNN) — Many Christian groups operate child sponsorship programs. Monthly gifts from sponsors in the West provide education, food, and discipleship for children in needy countries. Set Free’s program goes further in East Africa, teaching kids about their identity in Christ and empowering them to reach others.
Set Free’s Zippora Benting says, “Some of these children are 11 years old, and they’re talking about being able to disciple their friends and even their parents.”
Spiritism and witchcraft keep many families in bondage in East Africa. The Gospel of Jesus Christ offers freedom and healing. The process often starts with the youngest members of the family, who learn about Jesus in one of Set Free’s schools.
“They are just on fire with their new identity found in Christ and not under a burden of slavery into witchcraft,” Benting says.
(Photo courtesy of Set Free)
One student says fear used to hold her mother captive. Her mom was deathly afraid of her stepmom, a practicing witch. Then, the little girl shared Bible verses from her weekly lessons, and it helped her mom replace fear with faith.
“They’re under a very fear-based society, [which] is a big burden,” Benting says.
“When they learn that they are set free in their identity in Christ, they are unstoppable, even at eight years old.”
Discipleship continues at Set Free’s Christian high school, where more than 150 students recently asked to be baptized. Praise God for this development, and pray for safety as a Set Free team travels from the US to East Africa to watch the baptisms.
Benting says a recent email from partners in East Africa explained that “180 students wanted to be baptized at Light Academy, which is our high school and vocational school; we did not ask them if they wanted to be baptized or say that this is what you’re supposed to do when you become a Christian. But these teenagers all begged the teachers [to] baptize them in the lake right below the school.”
Consider sponsoring a child through Set Free. Your gift will enable a student to grow in their relationship with Christ.
“We have 440 students who are still seeking sponsorship to be able to attend a Christian school,” Benting says.
Header and story photos courtesy of Set Free.
