Set in the lower ranges of the Himalayas, in the Hindu state of Himachal Pradesh, some 200 miles apart, are Shanti Niketan (House of Peace) Children’s Home and to the north, Dar-ul-Fazl (House of Grace) Children’s Home. Between them, they are raising approximately 210 children.

Founded 16 and 25 years ago (respectively), the Homes are owned by an Evangelical organization based in Mizoram, a far-flung state of India on the border of Burma. In humble circumstances, the largely Mizo staff have the mission of raising children to know and love the Lord Jesus, in a region that forbids conversion to the Christian faith.

As of October 2008, Child of Mine assumes the responsibility and care for the economic needs of the homes, and our desire is to holisically partner with their God-given vision to equip and prepare these children to serve God in North India

For the last 25 years under extremely difficult circumstances, both economically and religiously, the two homes have not just fed and clothed children, but introduced them to Jesus. Perhaps what stands out most clearly is the desire of the staff to see the children develop an articulate and passionate faith of their own.

Child of Mine partners with the homes in this evangelical calling of Christ, so that the children and young people might be equipped to reach their own ethnic groups and establish the Kingdom of God in whatever field of life they choose to be part of. Many of the children want to be in medical professions, business and law. However, overwhelmingly, against the odds, many of them are electing to become Pastors and church-planters in order to reach their own people for Christ.

Today that vision burns powerfully in those children who have ‘graduated’ and left the homes to pursue post-secondary education in college and seminaries. Child of Mine is committed to building effective partnerships with such organizations in order to help these children fulfill their calling.

God is calling us to be more than sponsors. We are called to passionately engage in the mission of his Kingdom; namely to raise up the church in all corners of the globe and especially so in the least-reached regions of this world. Christ tells us that as we look to raising and equipping his children, we are right in line with his mission; that all men may know his name.

Three years ago, Willow Park Church and shortly thereafter, Westside Church - in desiring to be involved in raising up the church in one of the least-reached regions on earth, came into contact with two Christian Children’s Homes. They were struggling economically, but thriving spiritually in a place in North India with less than 1% church presence.

God has called us to come alongside them in such a way that we can bring value to their vision - to raise the future leaders of the church in North India. To do that we cannot simply be sponsors, comfortably living at a distance and sending finances. By partnering in the vision we are being asked to do much more; to pray, to give, to serve - and above all to share a vision that goes beyond simply feeding and clothing children.