In the heart of Kawempe, one of Kampala’s most impoverished communities, a new light is breaking through the darkness. Amid the dust, noise, and hardship of daily survival, Crosspoint International Ministries stands as a ray of hope—a place where faith, compassion, and community meet to transform lives.
It was here, at Crosspoint Church, that Haven of Hope International’s Orphan Care Training Institute (OCTI) launched the One Church, One Child initiative in Uganda. Pastor Prince Chemonges, host and facilitator, welcomed a group of eighteen pastors who gathered from across the region—some traveling as long as six hours—to be part of this historic event.
Despite electrical interruptions that would have stopped many meetings cold, the pastors gathered tightly around Dr. John Sweet’s laptop, eager to catch every word. The flickering glow of the screen became symbolic of the moment—hope illuminated against the challenges of scarcity.
A Movement of Compassion and Community
The message was simple yet profoundly moving:
- One family in each church opens their home to a vulnerable or orphaned child.
- The entire congregation surrounds that family with love and support—offering emotional encouragement, food, mentorship, respite, and even financial help.
This is not charity—it’s community in action. It’s the Church reclaiming its biblical calling to care for the orphan and widow.
Dr. Sweet shared passionately, “We may not be able to change the whole world, but every church can change one child’s world.” His words struck a chord. Around that small laptop screen, hearts and minds were stirred with renewed purpose.
The Vision and the Challenge
In communities like Kawempe—where poverty, abandonment, and vulnerability intertwine—children often slip through the cracks. The One Church, One Child model challenges churches to stand in that gap, building families, and turning compassion into structure.
Throughout the session, Dr. Sweet led the pastors through a clear vision and practical steps to make this dream reality: identifying families, preparing them through trauma-informed understanding, and mobilizing the local church to become a network of care.
Continuing the Journey
To continue equipping these dedicated leaders, Haven of Hope International - Orphan Care Training Institute is hosting four video-conferencing training sessions throughout November 2025. These sessions expand on trauma-informed care and family-based solutions, empowering pastors to nurture not only physical homes for children but emotional and spiritual healing as well.
Upon completion, participants will join OCTI’s weekly global coaching community, where they will continue learning, sharing, and supporting one another in transforming orphan care across Africa and beyond.
A Vision Worth Multiplying
What began in a modest church in Kawempe—around a single laptop—may well ignite a movement across Uganda. Imagine if every church took responsibility for one child. The outcome would not just be children placed in homes, but lives restored, families strengthened, and faith communities living out the gospel in action. You are invited to join this movement. You can partner with Haven of Hope International’s Orphan Care Training Institute to expand this life-changing initiative across Uganda and beyond. Together, we can empower churches to become havens of hope for every child.
Haven of Hope International invites churches, leaders, and caregivers to join this movement of compassion—because together, we can rewrite the story for orphans, one church and one child at a time.
Learn more and support this movement today at www.havenofhopeintl.org
