Hope breaks through
In the small community of Cutelinho on Santiago Island, Cape Verde, a remarkable story of hope is unfolding because of your compassion.
Through the +amigos discipleship program, teenagers are discovering the transformative power of God’s love — and for Joana, this discovery has been life-changing.
When Joana first joined the Book of Hope study, she believed God did not love her. Living with an abusive mother who would beat her out of frustration from struggling to sell fish and vegetables, Joana felt abandoned and unloved. During the first class, exploring God’s protection, she remained silent, bearing the painful marks of her daily struggles.
But something miraculous happened through prayer. Guided by Diego, the program leader, Joana began praying daily for her mother. Remarkably, her mother’s heart began to soften. The beatings stopped, and peace entered their home.
Joana told Diego with joy, “I have now understood that God truly loves me and that Jesus wants to be my friend!”
We continue to pray that Joana’s mother and sister will also experience the hope and transformation found in Christ.
FAST FACTS
- Most Christians accept Jesus between the ages of 4 and 14, often referred to as the “4/14 Window.” 1
- Multiple surveys have found between 63% and 85% indicate Christians make a decision for Christ between the ages of 4 and 14.2
- Children who accept Christ often lead their families to faith, creating a ripple effect in households.
- About 400 million children — one out of five kids — are living in or fleeing from conflict zones.3 Children in conflict zones often turn to faith for comfort, highlighting the need for ministries in these areas.
- OneHope is active in sensitive regions where children experience war and trauma daily.
A Philadelphia Story of Hope
When most people think of retirement, they imagine leisurely days and relaxation. Not Benjamin and Darlene Scott. This passionate couple from Philadelphia proves that God’s calling knows no age limit.
Through our online School of Transformation, the Scotts discovered a powerful pathway to minister to local children. Far from slowing down, they’ve embraced a vibrant mission to share God’s Word with the next generation.
Their innovative approach caught the attention of a local school, where they proposed scholarship awards for most-improved students. The school’s leadership was so inspired by their vision that they enthusiastically welcomed the Scotts’ plan to launch a Bible Club for children in the fall.
Week after week during our Zoom cohorts, the Scotts demonstrated remarkable Gospel energy. They didn’t just listen—they immediately put their training into action. Their commitment exemplifies how believers can transform their community, regardless of age.
This fall, dozens of children in Philadelphia will hear the life-changing message of God’s love, all because two retired saints answered the call to serve.
Retired — but radiant! Benjamin and Darlene are reaching out with God’s Word to students in Philadelphia.
Cultivating the Future
Emerging leaders are receiving training and embracing their calling through the OneHope Cultivate internship program that builds faith, boldness, and leadership skills in participants who then go out and change their world!
CELEBRATING JENNY’S TRANSFORMATION — AND HER CALLING TO MINISTRY
Jenny from Honduras was part of the first Cultivate leadership training cohort presented in the Spanish language. Though initially hesitant, Jenny fully embraced the experience and felt a deep call from God to serve the disadvantaged children in her city. Despite limited resources, Jenny shared her vision with the group, and together they secured donations of food, school supplies, toys, clothes, and shoes for children at a local low-income public school. Jenny’s project, named The Jireh Project (meaning “God provides”), ended up blessing 45 children, providing God’s Word, and equipping them with everything they needed for the school year.
Through this journey, Jenny experienced the joy and fulfillment of seeing God provide in every way, making her first project a beautiful success and opening the door to a future of sharing God’s love with others.
A NEW CHILDREN’S MINISTRY — PRESENTED BY CULTIVATE GRADUATES!
After completing the Cultivate program, Sodelia, Juan Carlos, and Dádiva, from the Zapotec region of Mexico, felt inspired to take action.
Together, they launched a project at their local church called Philippians 4:13 with two main goals.
First, the team sought to evangelize using OneHope resources.
Second, they aimed to motivate young people to serve and lead in church activities, fostering a new generation of leaders.
At our Cultivate graduation, 20-year-old Dádiva, the youngest participant, delivered a powerful message, urging her fellow Cultivators to keep the fire of faith alive and continue impacting their communities with the same passion they gained during the program.
What Daniela discovered beyond the church doors
Nine-year-old Daniela would often watch other children in her small Honduran village carrying colorful books and talking excitedly about something called The GodMan.
Though she lived just minutes from the local church, she had never stepped inside its doors. Her family, like many others, considered themselves religious but had no active faith life.
One day, curiosity got the better of her. Following the sounds of children’s laughter, Daniela found herself at the church doorway. The warm welcome she received changed her life forever. There, she was given her very own Book of Hope and invited to watch The GodMan film with the other children.
As Daniela absorbed the stories and teachings, something stirred in her young heart. For the first time, she learned that she could have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. That day, she made the decision to follow Him – a choice that transformed her life.
Today, Daniela’s love for reading has blossomed through her Book of Hope. She faithfully attends church services and eagerly seeks to learn more about God’s Word.
Her story reminds us that when we place Scripture in a child’s hands, we open the door for God to work in powerful and unexpected ways.
Two lives saved
Intan was in desperate trouble.
A Muslim teen in a majority-Muslim nation, she just found out she was pregnant. Her boyfriend was demanding she get an abortion!
Alone and anxious … afraid to tell her parents … Intan considered suicide. She couldn’t see any other way out!
She went online to research her options. Her heart pounding and her mind racing, she found herself drawn to a little online ad that shared the beginning of a fascinating story —
She clicked on the link and found herself on our Unfinished Story website, where she discovered resources that assured her that no matter how harrowing her own story right now, she could have hope for a brighter future in Jesus.
Soon, as she explored the topics on the website, she clicked to connect with online missionaries …
Intan chose not to commit suicide. She told her parents about her pregnancy and chose to keep her baby. She’s staying in touch with her online missionary friends, and we’re believing one day soon she’ll be ready to meet with a local faith community in person.
Intan and her baby have a new and better story ahead for them because you reached out to them with the hope of God’s Word!
Why children?
By OneHope President Rob Hoskins
In the delicate landscape of spiritual formation, children represent the most fertile ground for planting seeds of faith. Research bears out that most adult Christians say they chose Jesus between the ages of 4 and 14.
This doesn’t mean the Holy Spirit cannot move the heart of anyone at any age. It just means that the most efficacious way of presenting Christ to the next generation is by making sure we engage them with His Word within that window.
Like Anya, who received our children’s Scripture book at age 6 in Russia. She had many questions after reading about the life of Jesus, so she attended church to get her questions answered and ended up accepting Christ.
She then brought her 8-year-old brother, Anton, to church, where he also chose to follow Christ. Anya shared all about church and her newfound knowledge of Jesus with her grandmother named Rimma — a devout Orthodox. Rimma was curious how it could be called “church” if the participants didn’t pray to icons, light candles, or memorize prayers. Anya responded, “Granny, God is everywhere! You can pray to Him even here. He is alive. My book says this.”
Following Anya’s example, Rimma went to church to try and get her questions answered, asking the pastor many questions. She, too, understood and accepted Christ, and realized the church is not just a building full of icons to recite prayers, but rather a place where God’s love is joyfully celebrated and where every believer has access to the Father.
Rimma’s husband, who had never believed in God nor attended the Orthodox church, saw a transformation in his wife and grandchildren that drew him to church to find out more about their life change and he also accepted Christ! Now the entire family, even an incarcerated uncle whom Anya mailed a Book of Hope, have become believers!
Anya’s story makes it so clear that very young children can understand the Gospel and share their faith — even becoming missionaries to their entire families!
NATION BY NATION
AUSTRALIA
Melissa, a mom, says, “We love the Kids Bible Experience. We use the verse of the day in our morning devotions time. The children watch the video a couple of times on my iPad, and then we pray together. An easy and engaging way to start in the Word each morning.”
JAPAN
Kenji struggled with grief after losing three friends to COVID-19. Through our digital program O&Dan he connected with an online missionary who offered empathy and hope. This safe space allowed Kenji to explore faith and consider God for the first time. His openness to spiritual dialogue is a breakthrough, showcasing the power of technology in reaching hearts in challenging mission fields.
UKRAINE
Oksana was exploring a OneHope digital program when she connected with an online missionary who shared the Gospel and led her to faith in Jesus!
225 children attend Junior Club in Moldova!
We might call it Vacation Bible School. What our partner in Moldova (a former republic of the USSR) called it was Junior Club. And the neighborhood children flocked to it! Two hundred twenty-five children came for five days of fun activities, sports, and games — and a daily Bible lesson.
Plus, every child received the Bible App for Kids Book of Hope, the print book that can stand alone as the life story of Jesus with the message of salvation or be used together with the Bible App for Kids. Thank you for sending God’s Word for these boys and girls!
You’ve been meaning to do it …
Now is the time to update your will or estate plan and lay the foundations for a legacy of sharing God’s Word!
The beginning of the new year is a great time to plan for the future — and to consider leaving a legacy of getting God’s Word to the next generation through your will or estate plan.
You can leave a bequest of a specific amount to OneHope or call for a percentage of your estate, after fees and taxes, to be donated to the ministry.
However you choose to remember OneHope, you will leave a legacy of sharing God’s Word with the next generation! Simply instruct your attorney to designate your gift to OneHope, 600 SW 3rd Street, Pompano Beach, Florida 33060.
To find out more about leaving a legacy through your estate plan, contact us at 1.800.GIV.BIBL (448.2425) or email stewardship@onehope.net today.
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