One of the remarkable milestones in Compassion International Tanzania’s Our Neighbor strategy during FY25 has been the empowerment of church partners to mobilize their own resources in support of children and youth ministries. This marks significant progress toward ‘strengthened FCPs capacity to mobilize and manage resources sustainably’.
Across the country, 556 Frontline Church Partners (FCPs) were capacitated to mobilize resources beyond Compassion’s direct funding. Through community-driven initiatives and local fundraising efforts, churches collectively raised more than TZS 1,480,412,644 (over US$500,000) to sustain children and youth ministry. This achievement reflects a strong shift toward financial independence and long-term sustainability for local churches.
A story of hope: TAG Bethel Church, Northern Tanzania
For 26 years, the Child and Youth Ministry at TAG Bethel Church in Arusha has been a beacon of hope for children and young people living in vulnerable conditions, largely supported through Compassion International Tanzania.
Recently, the church reached a historic milestone by launching its own local sponsorship program—an initiative designed to reduce reliance on external aid and strengthen the congregation’s role in releasing children from poverty.
Joyce Mono, the center’s coordinator, expressed her excitement “Today, we’ve seen people step up to become sponsors—it’s truly encouraging, and we thank God for this moment. With this local response, we expect to initially support over 20 children living in poverty.”
Representing Compassion International Tanzania, Partnership Facilitator Tabitha Mollel commended the church “I deeply commend you for being among the churches committed to freeing children from poverty. It’s a joy to see how united your hearts are in giving these children a chance at a better life.”
TAG Bethel’s Senior Pastor Bishop Oral Sossy challenged the congregation “Now is our time—let’s come together with love and unity to sponsor these children and help build a brighter tomorrow.”
Towards a sustainable future
The launch of the local sponsorship program at TAG Bethel Church—and similar efforts by other church partners—represents far more than a new initiative. It is a living testimony of faith, love, and community rising to care for its own. By stepping forward to take responsibility for children within their reach, congregations are modeling what true sustainability looks like: families and churches united in shaping a brighter future, one child at a time.
Coupled with the broader mobilization of more than US$500,000 across 556 FCPs, this movement signals a new era where local churches are not merely recipients of support but active investors in the mission of releasing children from poverty in Jesus’ name.