To the team at James River Church, there is arguably nothing more important than providing for children and youth. After all, young people are the future of our community—the backbone of all that we stand upon. To help these young people grow, James River Church believes they must be nourished, cared for, and have strength in their faith.
However, not all children are born with equal opportunity or access to food, shelter, and other necessities. For this reason, James River Church has partnered with OneChild over the years to reduce the effects of poverty on children globally. This brief article will discuss that partnership and how James River’s efforts have blossomed with OneChild.
The Beginning of a Partnership
In 2010, Pastor Debbie Lindell of James River Church received a calling from God. With great clarity, He encouraged her to use the resources she had with James River Church and Designed for Life (DFL), Lindell’s global women’s ministry collective, to spread her unique impact worldwide. Without hesitation, Pastor Debbie told God, “Yes.”
Shortly thereafter, Pastor Debbie connected with OneChild and traveled to Haiti to get a sense of how she could help. There, she witnessed immense poverty and struggle, and she realized how vital it was for James River Church to assist children in developing countries.
Following that trip, Pastor Debbie returned to her home in Missouri and quickly decided to merge the powers of Designed for Life with OneChild. With the expansive global network that DFL provides, the two organizations were able to bring together thousands of generous women to contribute, spread the word, and donate.
This massive effort soon led to the opening of 10 Hope Centers in different communities throughout Haiti. Hope Centers are safe spaces developed through the generosity of a local church where children in need can gather, learn, and play—and where they receive life-changing care and resources delivered through God’s love.
James River Church and OneChild
Over the years, James River Church’s impact with OneChild has continued to expand. During their first year of partnership, women involved with Designed for Life sponsored 500 children in Haiti; that number has since grown to include over 5,000 children in Haiti, Kenya, and the Philippines.
During the pandemic, Pastor Debbie witnessed how susceptible children in the Philippines were to forms of online abuse. So once again, James River Church and Designed for Life partnered with OneChild to raise awareness of this abuse and sponsor more children in need. The results have been remarkable, as children and youth have been provided food, education, and the gift of prayer.
To Pastor Debbie, it is clear that a child’s eyes can be opened to immense beauty when they are provided resources and taught about Jesus’s love. “God can redeem all the sadness, brokenness, and pain. But how will children know if we don’t tell them?” she once said. “We need to reveal the love of the Father. That’s what OneChild is about, and that’s why I love it!”
Upcoming Missions & Getting Involved
James River Church’s partnership with OneChild continues to grow. In fact, in 2025, various missions will be held in the aforementioned countries, with the goal of feeding children in need, providing them with education, and teaching them about the power of God’s love.
February 20–March 2 will see the first of these missions, as James River Church will travel to the Philippines to help operate Hope Centers. June 7–21 will see a similar venture to Malindi, Kenya, with team members given the chance to minister medically and assist children in poverty.
To get involved or learn more about James River Church’s upcoming missions with OneChild, visit https://jamesriver.church/missions/.
About James River Church
James River Church, serving over 16,000 attendees weekly, is a Pentecostal church with four locations in southwest Missouri and a growing online community. Known for its passionate worship and engaging children’s and youth programs, JRC is dedicated to reaching people with the Gospel, global missions, and community outreach through initiatives like Cherish Kids and James River Charities.