Saints of God 2009 – Children of Macedonia UMC
The Children of Macedonia UMC wearing their Pennies for Pigs t-shirts.
The Children of Macedonia UMC wearing their Pennies for Pigs t-shirts.
Pennies for Pigs Campaign
For the first time ever, a ministry conducted by children has won the Saints of God Stewardship Award presented annually by United Methodist Foundation, Inc. The 2009 award, offered to local churches which exhibit “outstanding Christian stewardship and service within the North Carolina Annual Conference,” was awarded to the children of Macedonia United Methodist Church of the Sanford District for their “Pennies For Pigs” campaign.
In response to photos and videos taken by Rev. Ron Scott during a 2008 mission trip to Rwanda, the children of Macedonia UMC began to collect pennies to assist the orphaned children of Africa through ZOE Ministry’s Giving Hope Empowerment Project. To date, “Pennies For Pigs” has raised over $800 – enough to purchase 28 pigs – and hopes to raise much more. According to Rev. Scott, the children are excited to be able to help children in Africa and to know they are fulfilling the gospel message from Matthew 25:40: “…Truly I tell you, just as you did it to the least who are members of my family, you did for me.” (Matthew 25; 40 NIV) And, when an orphan receives the gift of an animal, they then have an income-generation opportunity through the sale of offspring as well as fertilizer for gardens.
The idea for the fundraiser was born after Macedonia’s pastor, the Rev. Ron Scott, visited Rwanda in September 2008 with ZOE Ministry founder, the Rev. Greg Jenks, a clergy member of the NC Conference and missionary. During the visit, Scott was inspired to see children raising their siblings in abject poverty. Through ZOE Ministry’s Giving Hope Empowerment Project, they are taught life-skills and offered the support needed to overcome their circumstances and provide for their families.
Children in ZOE's Giving Hope project receive small farm animals to raise.
This year’s Saints of God Award will include a monetary gift that will double the funds raised by the children of Macedonia UMC. They hope to use these funds as “seed money” to raise additional funds for the orphaned children of Rwanda. The Saints of God Award was established in 1994 by Raleigh resident Gordon Smith III in memory of his mother, Jean Poe Smith. Each year the award recognizes outstanding Christian stewardship and service at various levels within the North Carolina Annual Conference. The award takes its name from the familiar hymn “I Sing A Song of the Saints of God.”
