Churches are uniquely positioned to make a lasting, generational impact.

When a congregation unites around a clear mission, something powerful happens. Compassion becomes action. Prayer becomes provision. Faith becomes visible.

At Develop Africa, we invite churches to step into child sponsorship in ways that are both practical and deeply meaningful. Below are two models that have proven effective — each allowing your church to engage at a level that fits your structure, culture, and capacity.

Option 1: A Congregation-Wide $35 Challenge

What if your church took on the children currently listed on our site — and challenged each member or family to commit to just one $35/month share?

We use a “shares” model in our child sponsorship program. Instead of one sponsor covering everything for a child, each child can receive multiple $35 shares. As more shares are sponsored, the child receives additional benefits such as:

• Extra lessons or tutoring

• Non-perishable food support (e.g., a bag of rice)

• Transportation assistance

• Other practical needs that remove barriers to learning

This model creates flexibility and allows many people to participate.

Why This Approach Works

1. It’s Accessible.
At $35 per month, many individuals and families can participate. It’s a manageable commitment that allows a large percentage of your congregation to engage.

2. It Creates Personal Connection.
Your church isn’t just supporting a general cause — you’re impacting real children with names, faces, and stories. These are children your congregation can pray for regularly and feel connected to.

3. It Grows Over Time.
As additional shares are added, support deepens. A child might begin with basic school sponsorship and then receive tutoring, food support, or other assistance as more sponsors come alongside them.

This approach turns child sponsorship into a church-wide movement. It becomes a shared mission — something your congregation does together.

Option 2: A Mission-Focused Church Commitment

Another meaningful way your church could engage is by embracing this as a mission-focused initiative.

Rather than individual families sponsoring shares directly, the church could support the program collectively through:

• A monthly commitment, or

• An annual lump-sum gift designated for open shares

This allows church leadership to step in strategically and ensure consistent coverage for children in need.

Why Churches Appreciate This Model

1. Strategic Oversight
Church leaders can determine the scope of involvement and integrate it into the church’s broader missions strategy.

2. Consistent Impact
A monthly or annual commitment provides stability. Children are not left waiting for sponsors — your church becomes a dependable partner.

3. Clear Reporting & Visibility
Develop Africa provides:

• Periodic photo and video updates

• Beneficiary stories

• Impact summaries

These can be shared during services, in newsletters, or in missions reports — helping your congregation see, celebrate, and pray for the lives being transformed through your partnership.

Deepening the Relationship: Beyond Financial Support

For churches that want to go even further, partnership doesn’t have to stop at sponsorship.

Your church could periodically send a team to Sierra Leone to:

• Meet the children in person

• Host skills-building workshops

• Conduct leadership sessions

• Run a summer camp

• Provide mentorship and encouragement

This creates something deeper than financial support. It builds relationships. It strengthens faith. It allows your members to see firsthand how their generosity is changing lives.

And for the children, it communicates something powerful: You are seen. You are valued. You are not forgotten.

A Shared Vision

Whether your church chooses a congregation-wide $35 challenge or a structured mission commitment, the outcome is the same:

• Children stay in school.

• Families are strengthened.

• Communities rise.

When churches unite around education and empowerment, transformation becomes tangible.

If your church is exploring ways to engage in meaningful, measurable, and relational global missions, we would be honored to walk that journey with you.

Together, we can ensure that no child’s future is limited by a lack of opportunity.