Runner Up: Resourcing Church under 1,000
Engedi Church
Name and Location: Engedi Church; Holland, Michigan
Denomination: Wesleyan
Senior Pastor: Brian Aulick
Missions Director: Christina Aulick
Date Founded: 2005
Weekend Attendance: 350
Website: www.engedichurch.com
Overview: Engedi Church was founded in 2005 and since its inception has had a passion to become a church "for the world." Right after it's launch, key partnerships were formed in Zambia through World Hope International and a young church in Choma, Zambia (Choma Central Pilgrim Wesleyan Church) that have led to ongoing involvement and support for poverty, HIV and AIDS relief through the formation of an Orphan Trust. The trust provides financial support, skills, training, education, encouragement and other services to caregivers, orphans and vulnerable children. In addition it seeks other creative means of supporting the community. The trust will soon be fully self-sufficient.
Specific Initiatives:
- Developed an Orphan Trust
- Participated in several prevention initiatives
- Youth rally (educating youth about HIV/AIDS and leading discussion groups)
- Provided clean water for 15,000 Zambians through new wells
- Feeds children under the age of 5 at a weekly feeding clinic
- Trains caregivers to provide food, medicine, emotional and spiritual support
Engagement of the Congregation: Because their partnerships in Zambia have been part of the church since day one, the congregation of Engedi is fully engaged. This young church of 350 people is sponsoring 40 children (representing all of those in the Orphan Trust). In addition, a large percentage of the congregation have been involved in creative fundraising efforts in their community, directing those funds to their partners in Zambia on front lines of the pandemic.
Judges' Comments: "Engedi, a relatively small church, is having a measurable impact in the community where they are involved in Zambia. They have successfully engaged their congregation and their efforts are empowering indigenous people, providing a model that is sustainable and replicable and making a difference. Their story shows that no church is too young or too small to engage in the fight against HIV/AIDS."
