Starmount Presbyterian Church
Greensboro, North Carolina
Read the story from Presbyterian News Service.
In 2010 Goretti Bissengimana and her four children were resettled from the Democratic Republic of the Congo to Greensboro, North Carolina, with the support of the Starmount Presbyterian Church congregation. Goretti and her four children, Marceline, Benjamin, Grace, and Andyi, now live in a housing project in Greensboro and have become active members of the congregation.
Starmount’s ministry with resettled families goes back more than 20 years. Responding to the needs of children and youth is a hallmark of this congregation, and they have consistently met these needs using the 40% of the funds collected from the Pentecost Offering that stay with the congregation. Out of this deep commitment, the congregation has partnered with resettled families from South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Bosnia, Syria, and Chad, to name just a few. Other years, the Starmount congregation has contributed its share of the Pentecost Offering to support the Black Child Development Institute of Greensboro, Inc.
The Rev. John Odom, pastor of Starmount Presbyterian Church, reflects on this commitment: “There is not a lot of financial need among the members’ own children, but when we look outside our walls to the refugee families in our community, we meet children who have needs that we can help to meet. Among those is the need to be prepared for school. We also use our Pentecost Offering to support the Black Child Development Institute because they provide for the needs of all children in our community. They ensure that all children are prepared for educational success.”
The Black Child Development Institute of Greensboro, Inc. was founded in 1978 by Greensboro native Sarah Walden Herbin. It is one of 33 affiliates of the National Black Child Development Institute. Since its inception, the Institute has maintained a steadfast mission to improve and protect the quality of life of children, youth and families in the Greater Greensboro community.
One of the ways that Starmount helps prepare children for school is by providing very practical items: clothing, school supplies, backpacks and calculators! Rev. Odom comments, “Those calculators are essential for school, and yet they cost $100 a piece!” Through this program, students get the supplies they need, including those calculators.
In fact, just this year, Goretti Bissengimana’s two older children received their own calculators for math class.
Read the story from Presbyterian News Service.
Baptism picture courtesy of Starmount Presbyterian Church.
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