Go and Do Likewise
by Heidi E. Heater, Asbury Theological Seminary, Wilmore Campus
Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”
~ Luke 10:36-37
More than 2,000 years ago, Jesus expanded neighbor from a particular geographic location and required his followers to actively demonstrate love in practical ways. Linda Adams, 2000 Doctor of Ministry graduate, lives Jesus’ command through her work as Director of International Child Care Ministries (ICCM), affecting thousands. This included David Clemente, 2002 Asbury Seminary graduate.
ICCM sponsors about 20,000 children in 30 countries, including Africa, Asia, Haiti, Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya and India. Currently, ICCM has more than 12,000 sponsors who offer children around the world a better life by providing education, meals, clothing and basic medical care.
“Showing mercy demonstrates love in practical ways,” Adams said. “Becoming a neighbor to a child in need can flood our own lives with God’s love. When we welcome a child in Jesus’ name, we welcome Christ. It doesn’t get any simpler than that.”
Although Adams had sponsored ICCM children for decades, she realized the value of this ministry for the development of worldwide church leadership in 2007. Adams attended the Free Methodist General Conference that featured several ICCM graduates. Although coming from poverty, these adults now serve as school directors, pastors, superintendents, doctors and a bishop. Challenged to accept a more active role in this ministry, she accepted the director position in 2008.
David Clemente could have been one of those children. Although not directly affected by Adams, ICCM sponsored Clemente as a child. He grew up in the Philippines, the son of an active Free Methodist Church lay leader.
“Back then, I knew there were Filipino kids who had greater needs than mine,” Clemente said. “However, it was a rewarding experience to join many sponsored kids who were connected to many sponsors from the other side of the world.”
Today, Clemente teaches at Holy Light Theological Seminary in Asia. Although his career is not directly connected to his experience at ICCM, he uses his story to illustrate the rewarding ministry of sponsoring a child.
“It is, also, a good way to portray some missiological principles that we are connected around the world in God’s missionary work,” Clemente said.
Today, Clemente and his family sponsor children in the Philippines, Burundi, Ethopia and India. Throughout Adam’s four years as director, she has visited 27 countries, hearing success stories, possibly from some of the children Clemente sponsors. Throughout her trips she believes she sees “the Church in action on behalf of the little ones.”
“I’m so honored to partner with godly leaders who sacrifice in many ways to reach and bless children,” she said. “When they tell me their stories, I often cannot hold back my tears.”
Adams shared one such story from her visit to the Philippines. While there, she visited with the mother of a sponsored child. Both live in the city dump. The mother related the way ICCM had changed their community.
“Before we met [our pastor] and the ICCM program, we were lost without God in our lives,” the mother said. “We were not married to our men. Our children were running the streets. Now we have Jesus in our hearts and worship in our homes.”
Adams challenges the Church to provide those in need with their “daily bread.” If you are interested in sponsoring a child, visit www.childcareministries.org.