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Missional Partnerships

Child Abuse

The Indianapolis Star reports: "National statistics show Indiana has the country's highest per capita rate of child abuse and neglect deaths, according to the second annual report by the independent Indiana State Child Fatality Review Team. In 2005, the most recent data available, Indiana recorded 57 abuse and neglect deaths among children." In Hamilton County, when you consider the children who survive abusive situations, 95% of those reported are sexual in nature.

No one would dare to argue that God has a special place in His heart for children. Jesus demonstrated this in His words and actions (Matthew 18:3-5; 19:13-14; Mark 9:37; Mark 10:14-16; Luke 18:15-16). Jesus' concern was not only for the spiritual health of children, but for their physical well-being as well. Mark 9 and Luke 9 both record Jesus' response to a boy who had suffered abuse by demon possession. He healed an official's sick son in John 4. In Matthew 18:6, Jesus warned of the penalty that would befall anyone who caused a child to sin.

It is the conviction of those of us of The Well, that God abhors the exploitation and abuse of children. In response to God's leading, we have partnered with two Hamilton County organizations that are working toward the development of healthy families and the fight against child abuse. Follow these links to learn more about them:

• Healthy Families of Hamilton County (www.healthyfamilieshc.org)
• Chaucie’s Place (www.chauciesplace.org)

Brookside

God has also led us into relationship with the urban church / ministry of the Brookside community (10th & Olney). Jesus said that when we do things for the least of these (sick, naked, prisoner, hungry) we have done them as unto Him (Matthew 25). It is our conviction then, that this requires more than just a charitable contribution of food or money. Jesus wants us to have relationships with the poor. Gifts that are given outside of relationships are considered charity. But when our giving to the poor is done out of relationship, it is sharing—which is consistent with what we see in the New Testament church. So, come, join us in making friends and meeting needs at Brookside.

Horizon International

• 45 million people in the world are living with HIV/AIDS. 30 million are in southern Africa.
• 28 million have died since 1979. 22 million of them were in southern Africa.
• 13.2 million children ages 14 and younger have been orphaned by HIV/AIDS. Over 12 million of them are in southern Africa.

Visit www.horizoninternationalinc.com to learn more about Horizon's efforts and their vision to give hope and a future to AIDS orphans. And consider joining our efforts, by giving financially, providing prayer support, sponsoring a child, and/or taking a trip to South Africa in 2008.

Sunshine Ministries

St. Catherine, located in Mumbai, India, is home to 240 orphans, ages 5 to 14, from streets, slums and broken families. Along with providing for the children's basic needs such as food, clothing and medical care, the staff of St. Catherine also provides them with education and individual counseling. Emotional healing is so important for these children because of the trauma and abuse many have faced so early in their lives. Upon completion of high school, they are assisted with job placement in the community.

The Well is proud to be the first partner church of Sunshine Ministries. As a community of faith, we are giving financially, sponsoring orphans, providing prayer support, and are making plans to take a trip to St. Catherine's sometime in 2008. To learn more, visit www.sunshinekidsintl.com.

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