In June of 1992, Children of Promise was officially established “…to be an extension of the local congregation in the village or city. It is designed to provide long-term relationship between the church members and the children and their families, rather than between an organization and a child. It is a holistic approach in which we want to impact a child’s life over an extended period of time.” Four core needs were identified as the focus of partnership: Christian nurture, nutrition, education, and medical care. Ministry partnerships began in six locations including the Philippines (Grace Family Helper Project), Egypt (Children of Hope), India (The Shelter), Brazil (Helping Hand), Haiti (The House of Blessings), and Lebanon (Cedar Home).

The Johnsons continued to lead the ministry through expansion into 14 countries in total. After the Johnson’s retirement, in December of 2003 Paul and Brenda Maxfield were named the new Executive Directors of Children of Promise. The Maxfields led Children of Promise for the next 16 years and grew the ministry to more than 4500 children in 30 countries. They maintained the original vision and continuously opened the door of partnership to provide hope and wholeness for more and more children. Children of Promise has continued to be a healthy and growing organization largely because of the vast network of Children of Promise staff, country directors, local church leaders, sponsors, and more than a thousand volunteers around the world all working together to make a life of wholeness possible for children in need.

In 2019, Mike and Heather Webb became the new Executive Directors of Children of Promise. They continue with the original vision and mission of the Johnsons and faithfully carried by the Maxfields. For 28 years, the vision has remained consistent; “…to help children with their basic needs and to help them reach their full potential. We encourage the children to prepare themselves the best they can to take their place of responsibility in their community and church…The goal of Children of Promise is to help children to know Jesus and give hope to fulfill their dreams.”

Children of Promise is an independent non-profit organization, but it has always maintained a close familial connection to the Church of God. In 2004, the connection between Children of Promise and the Church of God was cemented when Children of Promise became an affiliated agency with Church of God Ministries. That connection remains to the present day.

*Thanks to Courtney Rice Alford for her contribution of historical research.