The Gulf Central District Partners
with Zoe Empowers
We are excited to announce that the Gulf Central District will be partnering with Zoe Empowers over the next three years to sponsor an orphan empowerment group in Rwanda. Zoe Empowers equips vulnerable children and youth-led families with solutions to overcome extreme poverty and achieve self-sufficiency. You can learn more about Zoe from this 2-minute video and this document.
We have already been matched with a group and they have begun meeting. Our group’s name is translated “Togetherness”, and it is made up of 76 children in Rwanda. Over the next three years, they will learn about health and hygiene, business skills, child rights, and more. They will receive help to enroll in school, to be reunified with any existing extended family members, and they will receive spiritual support through student-led prayer and Bible study. Zoe breaks the cycle of poverty and dependency on charity, forming young people for a lifetime of self-sufficiency.
Churches who join with us in this effort will receive regular reports on how our group is doing, resources from Zoe (VBS curriculum, Lent and Advent devotionals, etc.), opportunities to video chat with our group, and more. Additionally, Beth Potter will be going on a Vision Trip with Zoe to Rwanda this summer, and I will be going next summer. We’d love to have you or some of your church members join us to see Zoe Empowers in action.
How can your church get involved? The minimum financial commitment is $125 per church, per year, over the next three years. You can make that contribution the same way you pay your apportionments, whether by mailed check or online through Vanco. Using this form, you would list under Conference Apportionments –Other–“113017-Gulf Central District Zoe Empowers.”
If your church is interested in contributing more than $125, options include:
- Sponsoring your own group.
- Sponsoring a half-group; Zoe can match you with another church.
- Make an additional contribution to the District project. If we receive more than is needed, we will work with Zoe Empowers on how to best direct those funds.
Do you want to help your church grow in serving others? Are you looking for mission opportunities that are hands-on and personal, yet also accessible to every age and ability? Are you looking for a sense of unity with other UMC churches as we move forward together?
We invite you to join us in praying for these children and the journey they will be on for these next three years. Thank you for partnering with us on this project as we make disciples of Jesus Christ and transform the world!
Rev. Emily Hotho
Gulf Central District Superintendent