Sarah*, a recent graduate of a Nazarene child development center in the Philippines, shared her inspiring journey during the center's anniversary celebration this year. From joining the center at age three to becoming a graduate and now a volunteer teacher for other children, Sarah's testimony highlighted the profound impact the center has had on her life. Keep reading for an excerpt from her remarks.

“I am Sarah. I was a sponsored child of the [child development center] program since I was three years old. [The center] trained me and equipped me holistically, taught me about Jesus, and allowed me to draw closer to God.

“Jesus showed a special love for children, welcoming them and blessing them ... that is also how the Church of the Nazarene welcomes children through this ministry.

“I understand that [the] program is not just teaching you about Bible stories, hygiene lessons, singing, etc. It’s not just about that, [it] helps you to go in the way you should go—which is God’s way.

“And [the center] is not just about being compassionate to the children ... [it] also teaches you to be a compassionate one, too. The blessing is not how [the] staff are kind, generous, and compassionate to me, it’s how it made me one of those—a kind, generous, and compassionate person towards others, too. God loves us so that we can love others.

“Thank you to my sponsors. Thank you to the teachers and staff who taught me since the beginning, until I graduated, and until now that I am the one teaching. Thank you to those people whom God used for [the center] to come into existence.

“All glory belongs to God. I’ll continue to surrender my life to God, to serve him, to reach out other people, to strive, to make a difference, to be a light and salt, to lead, to use my gifts for his glory and lastly, to make Christlike disciples of all nations.”

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You can make a difference in the life of a child or teenager like Sarah today. Your monthly gift of only $30 USD will provide a student with a strong foundation that supports their growth from childhood through adolescence and beyond. Learn more at ncm.org/sponsor.

*Children’s names are changed for protection.