Every Child Ministries is a Christian charity and mission agency that works on behalf of African children. It notably advocates for neglected and marginalized African children.2007 Christian Ministry Sourcebook, “Mission Agencies—International Focus”, 2007, p. 159. It was first incorporated in Indiana (U.S.) in 1985 and is now recognized as an NGO in the three African countries where it operates.Every Child Ministries Annual Report 2008, “Growing Strong”, c. 2008, p. 1
Programs
Every Child Ministries implements multiple programsEvery Child Ministries Annual Report, “Growing Strong”, ECM Publications, Hebron, IN, 2008, p.2-16. across DR Congo, Ghana, and Uganda. These include initiatives for street children, vocational apprenticeships, and residential care through the Haven of Hope Children’s Home and Academy in Ghana. The organization also provides educational support via child sponsorship, special assistance for children with albinism, and teacher training programs—including a nine-month “teachers of teachers” course at the African Leadership Training Center in DR Congo. Additional services include resource libraries, health services, rescue operations for at-risk children, Kids’ Clubs, Sunday Schools, family sponsorship, agricultural education under the 'Farming God's Way' initiative, and support for children with disabilities.
History
Every Child Ministries (ECM, also known as ECMAfrica) was founded in 1985 by John and Lorella Rouster following a three-year missionary assignment in what was then Zaire. John had an agricultural background and later earned a Biblical studies certificate from Moody Bible Institute. Lorella was a teacher, Christian educator, and journalist, and an alumna of Moody Bible Institute, Tri-State University(B.A.), and Covington Theological Seminary (M.R.E.)"The Rousters Saw the Need to Teach Children About God", Agnieska Zielinksa, Student Union, Moody External Studies, Moody Bible Institute, 1999, Issue 3, p. 1. The Rousters served approximately nine years in Zaire—just over three years prior to founding ECM (1981–spring 1984), and six years with ECM (1990–1996)."Family Plans Teaching Mission", Cedar Lake Journal, Cedar Lake, IN March 15, 1989Family Makes a Difference" Neighbors, Post-Tribune of NW IN, Merrillville, IN, Dec. 31, 1989 During this time Lorella wrote numerous books in the African Kituba language, translated songs, Gospel and health booklets, which were published by ECM. She also developed an extensive training manual for teachers of children. This book was later published in seven languages spoken in Africa: Kituba, Lingala, Tshiluba, French, English, Spanish, Portuguese.Four of these languages (Kituba, Lingala, Tshiluba and French)were published in DR Congo, CEDI, BP 11398 Kinshasa 1, DR Congo, Depot Legal No. 3.0921-7571-7MSC-98. The original version, in Kituba, was called, "Ecole du Dimanche, Kulonga Bantu na Niveau na Bo" (Sunday School--Teaching People on their Level", 1998).
From 1985 to 1998, Every Child Ministries served only in DR Congo and was mainly limited to Christian education, training of teachers, development of literature, and health services. In 1985 ECM was featured in the "Mission Explorers Video Series" with Carey Kinsolving. These ministries have continued and expanded under national leadership."Fighting is over, training for outreach underway", Mission Network News, March 9, 2007"ECM celebrates the growth of children's programs", Mission Network News, March 28, 2005
In 1990 ECM established Mission Garizim in Congo and opened its African Leadership Training Center in 2001, training "teachers of teachers" for Congo and other French-speaking African countries.
In 1997 the Rousters returned from Congo. Floyd Bertsch had served as International Director while the Rousters were in Congo, but upon their return they again took the position of International Director, sharing the duties as co-directors.
In 1999 an evaluatory trip was made to Ghana. As a result, several initiatives were established there including the Initiative against shrine slavery ritual servitude"Mission Against Slavery, Sandi O'Brien, Post-Tribune of NW Indiana, March 13, 2003 and the Initiative for Street children."Street Children in Crisis Around the World", Lorella Rouster, SST/GH Summer 2008, UGP, Cleveland, OH, p. 58-59."Ministry helps unite families in poverty-stricken Africa", Mission Network News, April 9, 2007
Since 1999 three tendencies have been noticeable: 1. Expansion into other African countries, and 2. A growing tendency to focus on the needs of what the organization deems as the most marginalized and neglected children, 3. A growing emphasis on Child sponsorship.One example is "Helping orphans...in Congo", Mission Network News, June 29, 2006
In 2001 ECM initiated a program called "Character Building from the Bible" in some of the public schools of Ghana, which continued for several years."Ghana's public schools embrace Bible-based teaching", Mission Network News, Aug. 31, 2006
In November 2002 Haven of Hope children's home was founded. About 30 children currently find a safe haven there. Many were homeless street children, some are orphans, abandoned children, former shrine slaves and children of former slaves."Couple Helps African Street Children Get a Christmas Home", Kathie Godfrey, The News, Merrillville, IN, Dec. 26, 2003, p. 3.The Christian Post, www.christianpost.com, December 2, 2003, "Haven of Hope in Ghana Celebrates First Anniversary" The home now includes a school, Haven of Hope Academy, offering Nursery through Class 6.
In January 2003 Every Child Ministries held its first liberation of shrine slaves known as trokosi, cooperating with International Needs Ghana."Fetish slaves freed in Ghana" Mission Network News, Jan. 22, 2004 This was followed by another liberation in January 2004 in cooperation with FESLIM (Fetish Slaves Liberation Movement),"Fighting Child Slavery in West Africa", Lorella Rouster, SST/GH Fall 2007, p.30-31."Hugs open the hearts of hurting women", Mission Network News, May 19, 2004 a third in December 2005, and another in March 2010.African Jewels, 2nd Quarter 2010. ECM was very active in advocating for the abolition of the practice and the liberation of existing slaves."Couple's Mission Is to Help Children in Africa", The Indianapolis Star, March 11, 2001"The Harvest Show", Jan. 25, 2007, LeSEA Broadcasting, South Bend, IN In 2007 they released a DVD for their anti-slavery project called "Stomp Out Slavery" to help raise public awareness."ECM offers new resource on modern-day slavery", Mission Network News, June 12, 2007 In January 2008, ECM issued a "Prayer Guide against Modern Slavery" in celebration of the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation."Ministry calls for prayer on anniversary of 150th Anniversary of Emancipation Proclamation, Mission Network News, Jan. 4, 2008 Ministry for ECM in this area has concluded and focus has shifted to evangelism to/discipleship of the liberated women and their children.
In 2003 ECM expanded its ministry to street children to include DR Congo, ministering to children living on Kinshasa's streets with meals twice a week, vocational training, literacy classes, sports teams, gardening and Bible classes."Congo's homeless children building new lives", Mission Network News, Sept. 29, 2006"Soccer program helps draw street kids to the Gospel", Mission Network News, Jan.3, 2005."Despite the war in the DRC, ministry to children is a top priority" Mission Network News, Oct. 29, 2003
The same year they introduced an in-depth method of teaching the Bible. Called "Step by Step, Slowly", the approach teaches Bible passages phrase by phrase involving a four-step process—Read, Question, Act it out, Sing and Dance."Active teaching enlivens Sunday School in Congo", Mission Network News, March 16, 2004
In 2006 ECM made investigatory trips into Togo, Benin, Uganda, and New Sudan,"Every Child Ministries offers hope to New Sudan", Mission Network News, Jan. 12, 2007 and conducted training for children's teachers in Uganda and New Sudan.
This was followed by training for children's teachers in Togo in 2007 and in Benin in 2008,"Ministry works to change mindset against children in Benin", Mission Network News, June 12, 2008 and by the establishment of a main base of operations with numerous projects in Uganda in 2007–2008."Giving Children a Second Chance", Veronica Vennah Kagona, Daily Monitor, Kampala, Uganda, July 28, 2008, http://www.monitor.co.ug/artman/publish/nie/Giving_children_a_second_chance_68907.shtml "Children Devastated by War", Lorella Rouster, SST/Gospel Herald, Fall 2008, Union Gospel Press, Cleveland Ohio, p. 8-9.
Initial projects in Uganda included summer day camps and holiday parties for children in IDP camps,"Ministry team brings hope to Uganda", Mission Network News, August 20, 2008.educational assistance through child sponsorship, "Ministry headway made in Uganda's civil war", Mission Network News, December 12, 2006 an initiative to help children with albinism and improve public acceptance of them,"Blessing for albino children in Uganda", Mission Network News, October 6, 2008. and the missionary project "The Way Home" targeting AIDS orphans. "The Way Home" project began in 2010 with assistance to "grannies" raising several grandchildren who were orphaned due to AIDS."The Way Home", 2010, Every Child Ministries Many projects have since been started around the country, including Tororo, Napak, Lwengo, and various sections of Kampala, most focused on child sponsorship.
On January 1, 2015, Mark Luckey was named as International Executive Director, succeeding the Rousters, who continued serving in positions as missionary consultants, project advisors, and communications specialists.African Jewels, January 2015 John retired from missionary service on October 1, 2016, though he continues to volunteer at the ECM home office. Lorella remains active, writing and producing Sunday School materials in DR Congo languages, which are delivered to DR Congo annually by either Mark Luckey or Lorella Rouster.
Missiology Every Child Ministries is a nonsectarian Christian mission of evangelical persuasion,Mission Handbook 2007-2009, USA & Canadian Ministries Overseas, Ed. By Linda J. Weber & Dotsey Welliver, EMIS (Evangelical Missions Information Service), Billy Graham Center, Wheaton College, Wheaton, IL, 2007. drawing support from individuals across diverse Christian denominations. The mission emphasizes hands-on, volunteer-driven work and supports both career and short-term missionaries and widely supports the work of African nationals."Many hands take the message of hope to Africa", Mission Network News, May 31, 2006Summer of Service 2005, "Ben Pitzen-Every Child Ministries Ghana", Northwestern College, Orange City, IA
Memberships and affiliations Every Child Ministries has been a member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability since 1987,ECFA 2006 Member List, ECFA, Winchester, VA, 2006, p. 13. and is also accredited by the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance. The organization partners with Mission Network News and participates in STEER—a network of agriculturalists supporting mission work—as well as the Christian Leadership Alliance and Missio Nexus. ECM participates in the Guidestar transparency program, with a current gold seal rating, and has earned the Great Non Profits badge for several years due to positive reviews.