About Eden's Child

In partnership with Eden Temple Church in Rwanda, Eden’s Child Foundation is a Christian organization that supports needy individuals and their families by providing medical care (for the sponsored child and his/her family), formal education, scholastic materials, weekly Bible instruction, personal hygiene supplies, food supplies, and practical training opportunities (summer camp, arts and crafts, computer training, etc.).  Sponsorship starts as early as young childhood and goes through young adult, until the individual has completed high school.

Eden’s Child Foundation is a tax-exempt, nonprofit organization as described in Section 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Service code. Our tax identification number is 86-1829202.  Organizational records are maintained per IRS code and are made available upon request.

History

In 1994, one of the worst ethnic genocides in history occurred.  More than one million Tutsis were murdered over the course of some 100 days, between 7 April and 19 July, in the south-central African country of Rwanda.  Another two million people fled the country to escape the genocide, including the Mulisa family.  At the end of this tragedy, the Mulisa family, including a young man named John, returned to live in Rwanda.

After several years and much hard work, John became a successful attorney.  His Christian faith was a key motivator in his vocation, and it eventually led him to join others in starting a children’s education ministry.  Eventually, John felt a calling on his life to also become a pastor.  This calling was to serve the poorest – the neediest – those located in the rural areas of Rwanda.  He soon realized that this would require him to leave his relatively comfortable life as an attorney.

After sharing his calling with friends in America who believed in and supported his children’s ministry, funds were raised, and a church called Eden Temple was built.  Eventually, more churches were built in other locations.  The need was great, and these churches flourished.  Eden Temple’s mission, from the very beginning, was to transform the lives of the needy by communicating and incorporating the saving gospel of Jesus Christ, meeting both spiritual and physical needs.

Out of the ministry of Eden Temple, Eden’s Child was born

The spiritual and physical needs for impoverished children were unmistakable, and a new program, called Eden’s Child, was created in 2015.  This program, involving direct financial sponsorship of children, enabled children to receive a bible-based, high-quality education, as well as food, clothing, personal hygiene supplies, and medical care.  These benefits have drastically improved the lives of hundreds of needy Rwandans over the years.

Christian discipleship is a key element of the program.  Sponsored children and their families attend Eden Temple International Church, and the children attend Saturday morning classes for Biblical training and to share a nutritious meal together.  The overarching goal of Eden’s Child is to provide a helping hand up, to free individuals from the clutches of poverty, both spiritual and physical, and provide the tools to become responsible and mature adults, glorifying God in the process.

Eden’s Child Foundation is the US-based component of this ministry, providing the connection between the Eden’s Child program in Rwanda and our generous sponsors located in the USA and elsewhere.

By God’s grace, Eden’s Child continues in its mission of Transforming Lives and Restoring Faith and Hope in Rwanda.

Leadership

Board of Directors

Mel Haug – Retired Pastor and Educator – Resides in Big Fork, MT
John Mulisa – Senior Pastor, Eden Temple International – Resides in Butare, Rwanda
Matt Seadore – Executive Pastor, The Living Room Church – Resides in Kennewick, WA
Terry Smith – Retired Chief Fire Officer – Resides in Big Fork, MT
Keith Witwer – Retired Engineer and Project Manager – Resides in Kennewick, WA
Mark Yaden – Retired Deputy Chief/Fire Marshal – Resides in Spokane, WA

Officers of the Board

President – Mark Yaden

Vice President – Mel Haug

Treasurer – Terry Smith

Secretary – Keith Witwer

Statement of Faith

As a Christian organization, we believe God has specially revealed the truth about Himself in the Bible, which is our authoritative guide in faith and action.

Furthermore, we affirm the Apostles Creed as a creedal statement that clearly expresses Christian orthodoxy and our deepest theological convictions.

Apostles Creed:

We believe in God,

the Father almighty,

Creator of heaven and earth,

and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,

who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,

born of the Virgin Mary,

suffered under Pontius Pilate,

was crucified, died and was buried;

he descended into hell;

on the third day he rose again from the dead;

he ascended into heaven,

and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty;

from there he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,

the one universal church made up of all Jesus followers everywhere*

the communion of saints,

the forgiveness of sins,

the resurrection of the body,

and life everlasting.

Amen.

*Original version uses the language one holy catholic church with catholic meaning universal.

Financial Accountability

Eden’s Child Foundation considers it a blessing to help connect donors with needy children and families in Rwanda.

We also consider it our solemn responsibility to be faithful stewards of the resources entrusted to us, and to maintain integrity and transparency in our financial practices. We are committed to maintaining sound Biblical standards while making every effort to minimize administrative costs to maximize benefits to the children.

Because the Lord supplies us with resources for ministry through individual contributions, we recognize our accountability both to Him and to our donors. Therefore, the Board of Directors are committed to adhering to the following practices:

  • Subscribing to a written Statement of Faith clearly affirming our commitment to an evangelical Christian doctrine. Advancing the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ is the singular objective of our financial conduct.
  • Maintaining governance by a responsible and involved Board of Directors, the majority of who are independent according to legal and accountability standards.
  • Conducting Board Meetings as necessary to establish policies, approve budgets, and review operational results and ministry accomplishments.
  • Using donor contributions faithfully and wisely, in accordance with our mission of meeting critical needs in ways that earn a hearing for the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.
  • Making our financial statements available on the Eden’s Child website and to all who request them.
  • Making the annual IRS Form 990 available on the Eden’s Child website and to all who request the information.
  • Seeking to conduct Eden’s Child activities with the highest standards of integrity and avoid conflicts of interest.
  • Maintaining honesty and transparency and avoiding high-pressure, manipulative, or deceptive fund-raising tactics.
  • Avoiding indebtedness that dishonors the cause of Christ and hinders the work of the Gospel by timely paying vendors and fulfilling financial commitments.
  • Respecting the privacy of our donors; we do not sell, rent or divulge our mailing list to other groups wishing to use the names and addresses of our supporters. We maintain tight security on our list of friends and supporters.
Organizational Documents
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