Grateful for Our Church Partners: Woodside Presbyterian Church

Woodside “Welcomes the Child”

“Open the eyes of my heart Lord, I want to see you.” That’s how Dove-award-winning Christian singer Paul Baloche and friends helped Woodside Presbyterian Church in Yardley, PA kick off their “Welcome the Child” Christmas offering. The special benefit concert not only opened the Advent season but also launched the congregation’s support for two missions in Zambia: the Bill and Bette Bryant Crisis Nursery and the Namumu Orphanage. Woodside started its partnership with Namumu in 2001 in response to an appeal from The Outreach Foundation.

As the people of Woodside prepared to welcome the Christ Child, they also desired to help these two vital missions welcome more children. The Bryant Nursery in Lusaka and the Namumu Center in Siavonga provide love, nurture, education, and the Gospel to orphaned and abandoned children. Through the weeks leading up to Christmas, the Lord opened the eyes and hearts of God’s people to the challenges children face in this south-central African nation. Woodside eventually raised $10,000 for each mission. Pastor Doug Hoglund, a trustee of The Outreach Foundation, and members of the church plan to visit these and other partners in Zambia this fall. He says, “The more the Lord opens eyes and hearts to the amazing work of God’s people in Zambia, the more we will see Jesus.” For the Lord promises, “Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.” Matthew 18:5.

Rev. Doug Hoglund

Outreach Trustee

The Outreach Foundation