“After my parents died, I remember feeling so hopeless. A missionary visiting the orphanage said something to me that really touched my heart. He said, ‘Alphonsus, you might not have earthly parents, but you have a father in heaven who loves you very much. You have to trust that He is your father and mother now.” Alphonsus smiles at the camera as he shares his inspiring story with us. “That phrase will always be in my heart and mind,” Alphonsus continues. “I have carried it with me, and I believe it has changed the direction of my life.” Alphonsus grew up at Phebe Grey Memorial Orphanage in Li ..read more

The provinces that make up Eastern DR Congo are among some of the toughest places to live on the planet. Congolese civilians have already experienced decades of violence with the civil war that has killed 5 million people between 1997 and 2003 and still continues to flare up to this day. In addition, the rise of over 100 heavily armed militia groups, HIV/AIDS cases and the Ebola outbreak has left thousands of children orphaned and abandoned, making Eastern DR. Congo a location with the highest concentration of true orphans and widows in the world. This year alone, UNICEF and their partners reg ..read more

In the midst of muddy trenches and villages completely decimated by mortars, Pastor Gennadiy puts on his uniform and begins his work day. Clocking into work looks a little different for Pastor Gennadiy, as it does with all of the staff working in our Eastern Ukrainian partner homes. However, the war hits a little closer to home for Pastor Gennadiy and Pilgrim Republic, as it is located just miles from the front lines of the war. The war that started back in 2014 between Russia and Ukraine has claimed over 13,000 lives and is continuing to escalate. When homes are destroyed and lives are take ..read more

  In May of 2021, the leadership of Serving Orphans Worldwide along with General Overseer of Church of God (Cleveland, TN), Dr. Tim Hill, presented Dr. W.C. Ratchford the first James 1:27 Award for his many decades of ministry and outstanding leadership in raising funds for orphan care projects around the world.   Starting his full-time ministry in 1957, Ratchford received Ordination credentials in 1964 and pastored in the Texas cities of Petrolia, Olney, Amarillo, Mesquite, and Hurst. He was trained in Southwest Bible College in Oklahoma City. Dr. Ratchford served as Administrative ..read more

There are many moving parts in the ever evolving landscape of global orphan care. They cannot be siloed and must work in harmony with one another in order to achieve the best outcomes for the child. However, those working on behalf of orphaned children must do so within the cultural context, available resources and laws of their own countries and local communities. Help comes in all forms, varying from community, institutional, and individual support. Community level support may include help from local volunteers, advocacy groups, businesses and churches. This could also include local go ..read more

Often, when we think about orphan care, we think about working with children whose biological parents have both passed away. However, there are many children who live just like orphans even though in most situations, at least one parent is still very much alive. These children are defined as “social orphans” and are left without the care and protection of their parents due to factors such as extreme poverty, abuse, physical and mental illness, unwanted pregnancies and more. It is reported that the vast majority (between 80-90%) of children living in orphanages are social orphans with at least ..read more

It is always so encouraging when we meet local businesses who are actively seeking out opportunities to make a global impact. Last month, Agency owner, Greg Gray and Insurance agent, Trish Nguyen of Renaissance Insurance Group reached out to us and shared their incredible desire to help orphaned and abandoned children in Vietnam. Renaissance Insurance Group is located in the Dallas/ Fort Worth area in Texas. Their search for a reliable delivery system and a meaningful orphan care project to support led them to find Serving Orphans Worldwide and our partner home, Center of Hope which is located ..read more

It is rare that an event or situation could impact the entire human race at the same time and in a similar way across the globe. The COVID 19 pandemic has affected the Americas, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia. It has impacted the Eastern Mediterranean, the Western Pacific and has infected people of all races, ages, backgrounds and social standings. The virus swept the earth quickly, forcing economies to shut down and causing the prices of basic necessities to surge. Furthermore, it was completely unexpected. However, we know that trials and tribulations are wonderful opportunities for God ..read more

Many of our children’s homes that we partner with are still under quarantine and are feeling the harrowing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Thanks to you, we have been able to respond to various emergencies that have arisen, ensuring our partner homes have what they need to safely shelter in place. In Kenya, our partner homes faced major food shortages as the cost of food and commodities spiked significantly. These inflations have made it near impossible to feed the hundreds of children in their care. Archadius, who is the Assistant Director at Victorious Children’s Home recently shared his c ..read more

CHRIST IS RISEN! If there is ever a time to hold onto this hope, it is now. It is completely natural for our hearts and minds to be concerned with the uncertainty and fear that comes with job losses, food insecurity, illness and other challenges during these difficult times. However, we mustn’t forget the hope we have in Christ who conquered death, hell and the grave! When we have this hope, no matter how difficult life gets, we will have a reason and a purpose to look at life differently. We will walk through these troubled times with confidence and say, “this too shall pass.” As an orga ..read more