Baptist Children’s Homes (BCH) is expanding its international outreach through a new partnership that will impact the orphan crisis in South Africa.
BCH is working with Kerus Global Education (Kerus), a Christian nonprofit that addresses the vulnerability of South African orphans through partnerships with faith-based organizations and professionals who can support, educate, and equip those directly caring for these children.
“God continues to open doors, in His timing, so that BCH can help meet the needs of children in other parts of our world,” said Keith Henry, BCH Chief Operating Officer. “When we first heard about Kerus and its mission, we knew we needed to explore how BCH could be a part of their efforts. That has resulted in an official partnership that we pray not only helps to impact the physical needs of the orphans but also ensures they hear the good news of the Gospel.”
In late August, a small BCH team flew to the Kerus Care Center in Soshanguve, a township outside of Pretoria which is South Africa’s administrative capital. During the visit, the team spent time with the children, caregivers, and Kerus staff engaging in activities, worship, and Bible study. It was an opportunity for them to see the work firsthand that is being carried out by the staff while also building relationships with the children and their grandmothers affectionately known as “grannies.”
The grannies are the primary caregivers for the children because their parents – who represent an entire South African generation – were victims of the AIDS crisis as well as rampant human trafficking. Their deaths left a generational gap that the grannies, with the help of Kerus and its partner organizations, are filling.
“Kerus has always prioritized collaborations with those who share our vision for helping the vulnerable and spreading the hope of Jesus,” Marcia Ball and Jennie Cerullo, Kerus Executive Directors/Co-Founders, said in a statement. “Collaborating with a group that shares our mission of supporting vulnerable children in the U.S. is invaluable. Our children, grannies, and staff will greatly benefit from their expertise.”
Both organizations have mutual expertise that they will be sharing with one another as a part of the partnership. In February 2025, a team from BCH will travel to the Kerus Care Center to conduct CARE training, a trauma-informed training that will equip the staff and caregivers to best care for boys and girls who are dealing with the effects of trauma. Kerus staff will have an opportunity in the future to lead BCH staff in its Courage to Care training which focuses on preventing sexual exploitation and abuse of children.
In addition to its newly-formed relationship in South Africa, BCH has international outreach in Guatemala and the Philippines. BCH operates ministry locations in more than three-dozen communities across North Carolina, South Carolina, and its international partnerships.
“We’re excited for what the Lord is going to do through our partnership with Kerus and how He continues to lead BCH into more opportunities that will meet the myriad of needs both domestically and globally,” said Brenda Gray, BCH Executive Vice President of Development and Communications. “We know He will be glorified.”
Written by Blake Ragsdale, Vice President of Communications