LEADERSHIP TRANSITION BEGINS - Welcome, Dr. Michael and Heather Webb - Children of Promise
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@ PO Box 2316
Anderson IN 46018
cop
765.648.2190
cop@echildrenofpromise.org
www.echildrenofpromise.org
July 2019
LEADERSHIP TRANSITION BEGINS
Welcome, Dr. Michael and Heather Webb
by Dr. Paul L. Maxfield
Children of Promise welcomes Dr. Michael and Heather Webb, the new Executive
Directors, to the Children of Promise office on August 1. They will be transitioning
with me and the staff as they begin the process of learning all that Children of
Promise does and is for so many children around the world.
We are excited to embrace this new chapter, and the staff has been preparing and
planning for this period of two months of transition, learning, and working together.
In addition to the extensive and intensive orientation and education in the US office in
Anderson, Indiana, the Webbs will also travel with me to selected sites in Asia and
South America to meet program directors, visit sponsorship programs, and
experience interviewing the children and checking on programs.
The first trip will be Mike and me traveling to Bangkok, Thailand, on August 15. Children of Promise has invited the
Asian directors to a gathering to meet and plan with Mike. We will be working on transition issues as well as issues
specific to some of the individual programs. The meetings will take place August 17, 18, 19, and 20 at the Bangkok
Christian Guest House. A full agenda is planned, and we are looking forward to this rich time of being together and
getting to know one another and our ministries.
Mike, Heather, and I will leave August 25 for Peru, Paraguay, and Argentina. On this trip, we will visit all three
sponsorship programs, meet the directors, interview children, and learn how each program operates. It will be an
opportunity for Mike and Heather to see three programs up close, interact with volunteers and children, visit homes,
and hear how the program is impacting communities in these countries. We are grateful to Telvi Espinoza (Peru),
Sandra Greve (Paraguay), and Monica Gallinger Fischer for their hospitality and assistance in these visits.
Special video call meetings have been scheduled with each of the other COP program directors who will not have the
opportunity to meet the Webbs personally before September 30.
The transition of leadership is a vitally important period in the life of Children of Promise. There are additional costs in
doing the transition well, and special gifts to COP from churches and individuals would be greatly appreciated. Help us
make this transition as smooth as possible. You can give here: https://fs29.formsite.com/excelmincon/copo/
index.html (Mark "Making It All Happen" and write "Transition" in the comment section) or by sending a check marked
"Transition" to Children of Promise, PO Box 2316, Anderson, IN 46018. You can also call our office at 765-648-2190 and
Director's Perspective
Dr. Paul Maxfield
Executive Director
Thousands of Blessings
As I have sat with volunteers around campfires, in mud churches, on grassy fields, under palm frond lean-to's, in
urban tenement churches, in island-breeze meeting rooms, hot and humid Asian gatherings, and cold, damp rooms
in the Himalayas, I have marveled at the experiences I have been given as Executive Director of Children of
Promise. When my wife, Brenda, and I came to Children of Promise in 2003 as Co-Coordinators, we knew this would
be an amazing experience. But it has been more than amazing. It has been incredible and challenging and
miraculous and inspiring.
I have often asked myself when sitting in those faraway places, 'How did I come to be at this place with these people
at this moment in time?" "How did I come to have this incredible blessing of working with these precious folks?"
And when I have interviewed thousands of children, I've asked myself, "How did I come to have the privilege of
participating in all these lives?"
I don't know, except that God called. And we came. And God blessed. I am so proud of the thousands who were
little kids just hoping to eat and go to school, and today they are teachers, pastors, doctors, nurses, accountants,
tailors, business owners, lawyers, architects, Sunday school teachers, university professors, artists . . . and the list
goes on.
There are so many people I am grateful to who have supported COP during these years. Sponsors and Donors - You
are the essence of Children of Promise - we in the office just connect you to the recipients of your love and
compassion. Your commitment to your children makes all the difference in their lives.
The staff of COP has been incredible. They have worked and sacrificed because they love the children, and they
have jumped on board every time we've faced a challenge or expanded our vision. I cannot say enough good about
each of them. They are amazing people, and I love them deeply. Thank you.
The program directors and their volunteers overseas are heroes. They live and work in difficult conditions, yet they
place the welfare and care of the sponsored children at the top of their priorities. They do the hard, daily work of
taking kids to the doctor, making sure they are in school, buying and distributing food each month, praying for and
mentoring the kids, keeping financial records, and standing by supporting and loving when families face hardship
and tragedy. Children of Promise ministry would not exist without you. Thank you for the love, sweat, tears, and
determination you have given to see that children have bright futures! I love you all.
The Board of Directors has been an extraordinary group of people. They have led the ministry well and supported in
every way possible. Thank you to the original "five" who made up the Board in 2002 - for taking that huge leap of
faith and inviting two unknown but enthusiastic missionaries from Costa Rica to lead Children of Promise.
My wife, Brenda, has sacrificed and given more to Children of Promise than anyone will ever know. She co-led the
ministry with me during the first 3-4 years. During that time, she initiated many things that laid the groundwork for
the growth and expansion of the ministry over the years. And, she has supported me, in my role, and in so doing,
has sacrificed many months of time while I was traveling the globe Many were the weeks she spent alone without
my support so that I could be out checking on children and programs. I figured up the travel I've done since she left
COP in early 2007, and it comes to a total of at least 434 days (could be more), which is 1.2 years of time. I am in
awe that she was willing to sacrifice a year of our life together for children in need. Thank you, Brenda. Thank you
for supporting me and for supporting so many children through your unsung sacrifice. You are my inspiration and
love.
My prayer is that all of our sponsors, donors, and friends will wholeheartedly welcome the Webbs and join with
them in taking Children of Promise to new heights, and children's lives to new levels of health, fulfillment,
leadership, and Christian service. Children of Promise WORKS - let's keep making it work for children who so
desperately need it.
In closing, I want to share this video clip that was prepared for the Church of God Convention in Orlando this year. It
shares one of my favorite stories from my years at Children of Promise. Type or copy this URL into your internet
browser: https://youtu.be/sGeTX_DLhwc?rel=0
Change a Life—Sponsor Today!
Call or go on-line today to sponsor. #765.648.2190
The children below have lost their sponsors because of financial difficulty.
Will you sponsor them today?
Lauredana (EGRB-010) Egypt Mukramatis (GH-238) Ghana -
- $32 $32
Female. Age 12. Grade 7. One Female. Age 12. Grade 4. One
brother. Father is a driver,
mother is a homemaker. Has brother, two sisters. Father is a
some eye problems. Wants to security officer, mother is a trad-
become a lawyer. Sponsor
er. Enjoys riding bikes. Favorite
Now.
subjects are English and
Math. Sponsor Now.
Ma Thwe (MYB-192) Myanmar
-
$32
Female. Age 18. Grade 12. Two
brothers. Speaks Burmese. En- Urmila (INSTG-080) In-
joys badminton. Her father is a dia-$32
painter. Her mother is a house- Female. Age 12. Grade 7. Only
wife. Sponsor Now.
child. Father is a daily labor-
er. Mother is a homemaker. Fa-
Anto (BNGG-011) Bangladesh - vorite subject is Benga-
$32
li language. Monthly in-
Male. Age 9. Grade 5. Three
brothers. Father is a farmer, come: $40. Sponsor Now.
mother a homemaker. Enjoys
singing at church. Dreams of be-
coming a doctor in the fu-
ture. Sponsor Now.NEWS CLIPS Giving Promise
COP at CWC: Children of Promise will be at
the Christian Women Connection Convention, Kirk Bookout
October 10-13, in Myrtle Beach, South Development Director
Carolina. Stop by and visit our exhibit!
Please Pray: For Mike and Heather Webb, When I came to Children of Promise five years ago, I
new Executive Directors-Elect, as they came because I thought it was a REALLY good
transition from their leadership role in Africa organization for a great cause. I underestimated
with Global Strategy to their new posts at it. It is much better than I thought or
Children of Promise. Pray also for the two knew! Children of Promise has built an excellent
transition trips to Asia and South America. Pray program, and now with the transition of leadership
for the Webbs' daughter, Maddy, who is to Mike and Heather Webb, I believe that you will
already adjusting to their new life in the States. want it to continue growing, without taking any
Directors Luncheon: We were excited to steps backward, without missing a beat or slowing
welcome directors or representatives from down. I believe you want it to move forward in
Rwanda, Malawi, Zambia, Botswana, power. That’s why it is essential for the Webbs to
Myanmar, Lebanon, Jamaica, Russia, work alongside Dr. Paul Maxfield to learn all they
Honduras, and Bangladesh to our Directors' can. It means our expenses this year are higher.
luncheon at Convention in Orlando. It was a
wonderful time of fellowship, memories, and I HAVE TWO REQUESTS:
getting to know Mike and Heather
Would you consider making Children of Promise
Webb. Most memorable quote from the
your Thanksgiving or Christmas project this year?
luncheon: "The Webb's departure from Global
Ask you church, your class, or group. It is not
Strategy is Africa's loss, but the world's
money wasted at all, but truly invested!
gain." (Rev. Mailes Ndao, COP Director,
Zambia) If you personally don't have a year-end cause in
Celebration Sunday: Information has been, mind, would you consider Children of Promise? It’s
and continues to be, sent to each congregation a great ministry, and your gift will insure that we
of the Church of God in a series of emails have the transition resources.
about Celebration Sunday. Encourage your
It’s the gift that will keep on producing! Thank you.
pastor or missions leader to participate in
celebrating lives that have been changed
through COP. Suggested date: September 22, 2019 or any day you choose.
To register, click here: www.echildrenofpromise.org/register-your-event/
To download materials, click here: www.echildrenofpromise.org/register-your-event/
cop-sunday-materials/
CONTACT US: We are Happy to Help You!
765.648.2190 or cop@echildrenofpromise.org
Dr. Paul Maxfield, Executive Director - plm@echildrenofpromise.org - 765.648.2111 (retires September 30, 2019)
Heather Webb, Executive Director-Elect - hlw@echildrenofpromise.org - 765.648.7500 (thru September 30, 2019)
Dr. Michael Webb, Executive Director-Elect - mbw@echildrenofpromise.org - 765.648.7500 (thru September 30, 2019)
Sponsorship, Accounts, Events, Speakers will be referred through our main number: 765.648.2190
Please remember to notify us when your phone number, mailing address, or email address changes.
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