Pequea Church is a local church with a global vision. Part of that vision is working with the Brethren In Christ Church through the SPICE program. SPICE by definition is a Scholorship Progam for International Children's Education.

How You Can Help-

Sponsorship of a SPICE child is one way you can show your love and concern for the children of India and Nepal, as well as contributing to the building future leadership of the church.

• The cost to sponsor a child for one year is only $170. This provides for their complete housing, food and a caring Christian staff to maintain the hostels.
• Parents supply clothing and school supplies when they can.
  Any additional donations are be used to purchase a Christmas gift of clothing or bedding for each child.

This donation is so low (much less than most international child sponsorships programs) because of the dedication of the Indian and Nepali churches who staff the hostels as a ministry to build the church. The hostels are a social service that accompanies outreach and evangelism in a society that is quite hostile to Christians.

You can sign-up to sponsor a child today online! Click here to sign-up.

Sharing Your Love-

Each year you will receive a photo of the child you sponsor, when available. Because of the many languages spoken by the children, we cannot arrange for direct correspondance between you and the child.

SPICE hostels each have one houseparent, one cook, and one watchman for protection. Oversight is provided by Indian and Nepali pastors and administrators along with their other responsibilities. Between 80 and 120 children live in each hostel. Older children look after the younger ones and help with other work as they would if they were living at home.

How Does It Work-

Jesus said...“Let the little children come to me.”
-- Matthew 19:14

Yet, many children would not know how to come if it were not for the SPICE program. The Scholarship Program for International Children’s Education (SPICE) originated in India in the 50s and enlarged as the national church grew. It operates as a sponsorship program for Brethren in Christ children in Bihar, Orissa, and Nepal. Today, 9 hostels house nearly 800 children, and there is always the need for more.

Children ages 5-18 live in hostels, and attend government schools. The hostels provide a safe place where children are taught the Scriptures and led in daily devotions. Each hostel is located near a Brethren in Christ Church where the children worship.

Many of the current leaders in the Indian and Nepali churches have come from these hostels. These leaders are now the teachers, local officials, evangelists, church planters, pastors and church administrators. In both India and Nepal Christians experience extreme pressure and even persecution just because they follow Jesus. Helping children to be strong in Christian faith is one way to partner with our brothers and sisters in these countries.

The parents, most of them agricultural laborers, cannot afford to pay the full board and tuition fees, as well as clothing and transportation. Sometimes they can only send one of their children to the hostels, and thus to school, each year. Many would never receive any education apart from your generous donations to SPICE.

You can sign-up to sponsor a child today online! Click here to sign-up.

If you have additional questions please contact Pequea Church and we will help answer any additional questions you may have. Call us during normal business hours at 717.872.5679, or email Dawn Groff by clicking here.