About Us:
The core of Elpis is hope. Elpis is the greek word for hope and it is the heart of all who work with the organization to offer hope to the hopeless. We believe that hope comes in many forms. But the greatest hope we can offer is the hope of eternal life through Jesus Christ.
Elpis International began in the heart of Pastor Michael Arega. Michael grew up in Ethiopia and saw the hurt and suffering of poor and orphaned children. In Ethiopia he planted and organized churches to help the local children with food, shelter and educational needs. After hearing the call from God to plant a church in United States he carried this burden with him. His vision was to create sustainable centers throughout Ethiopia to care for poor and orphaned children. By sharing his vision and heart with Pastor Manny they began praying to see if God would open up this door. Soon their prayers would become reality in the creation of Elpis International. A team of volunteers was created in Ethiopia and the United States. Their effort enabled Elpis to obtain a license from the Ethiopian and United States Governments. This authorization allows for Elpis to expand all over Ethiopia and through out the world. Helping people in the poorest of areas, providing hope and empowering permanent change to the nations.
TOPMission:
To Provide hope to the hopeless
TOPProject Plan:
To provide for the physical, economic and spiritual needs of people living in the lowest economic level through personal empowerment, holistic ministry, and local indigenous and global church partnerships. Elpis International as a Christian Humanitarian Organization is dedicated to working with children, families and widows; seeking to meet the physical and spiritual needs of the less privileged in Ethiopia and the world.
TOPLicenses and Registration:
Elpis is a not for profit 501 (c)(3) organization. Our offices are located in Jacksonville Florida. We are also registered in Ethiopia as a NGO with locations in Addis Ababa, Bahar Dar and Awassa.
TOPHolistic Programs
The Arega Wolle Center - established 2007
- Located in the beautiful lakeside city of Awassa.
- Serves local poor and orphaned children enrolled in our program. This program is designed to provide needy children the opportunity of getting nutritional food, support in schooling, personal hygiene, spiritual guidance and counseling.
- Aid in physical development through regular medical check ups and health education for continued growth.
- Provide recreational activities, educational field trips and vocational training.
- Accountability and adult mentoring will provide students skills in becoming hardworking, honest productive members in their community
Widows Project, Awassa – established 2011
- Provides monthly rations and feeding program for poor widows.
- Provide a group environment to create support and encouragement by connecting widows in activities.
The Bahar Dar Feeding Center – established 2011
- This center is just beginning and will soon be offering the same care and programming as the Arega Wolle Center. Those immediately receiving aid will be orphans and widows. The team conducting the mission trip February 2012 will gather information, bring supplies and provide training to workers. If you would like more information about this new work please contact our staff.
Both facilities have:
- A place to eat and learn
- A place to cook and store some food
- A place for recreation and bible study
The future of the feeding centers:
- To purchase permanent land and building and build a school with our partner Love for Ethiopia.
- To build a Clinic for check ups and first aid
- To build guest house for missionaries
- Build larger facility for teaching and worship
- To have a larger eating and recreation center
Mass Feedings – began conducting in 2005
- Our Feeding Centers provide focused care and attention to the poor and widowed but the need is much greater. Through out the year Elpis International provides food and drink to the poorest poor.
- We have seen first hand the hope and joy it brings to those that receive and give the food.
- Elpis uses this opportunity to show local leaders the importance of taking care of their own community and neighbors.
Kingdom Partnerships
Church Planting – began partnering in 1996
- Michael Arega began preaching and building the local body of Christ all over Ethiopia and the world as a teenager. His love for the Lord and zeal enabled him to plant several churches.
- His spirit of planting continues now through Elpis International and its partnering churches. Several churches have begun to utilize our network to build up churches to reach people for the Kingdom of God.
- If you are interested in partnering or planting churches please contact our staff.
Training and Leadership – equipping leaders since 2006
- The scriptures tell us that training and instruction is of utmost importance. Paul instructed Timothy and our mentors taught us. We provide free training to pastors and lay leaders at every venue Elpis partners. Our desire is to raise the level of leadership among local pastors so they will in turn challenge and equip their people to do the works of ministry in the world.
- This training has taken the staff of Elpis all over the world. And we are looking forward to joining you as we work together to bring Good News to all men everywhere.
Mass Evangelism – proclaiming the Word to the world since 1998
- Building partnerships with local congregations Elpis International coordinates large evangelistic gatherings for the purpose of leading people to the hope found in Jesus Christ.
Lifting the Gospel Laborers – giving back since 1997
- Many of the servants of God in the poorest parts of the world have given everything for the gospel of Christ. It is our joy when able to partner with churches and individuals to help those who have suffered, bleed and sacrificed for the work of the Church. This is a special ministry and if you would like to be a partner contact our staff and we will inform you of the needs of these Godly men and women.
