Support a Pastor / Parish
Our Support A Pastor / Parish (SAP) programme is about enabling those the Lord has called to take the gospel of Jesus into the remote towns and villages of developing countries. Since 2001 Damascus Trust has been involved in providing training and support for pastors abroad. We ensure that basic but sufficient Bible-based training is given to all pastors and that ongoing oversight and assessment is provided.
Our Christian Partner Organisations (CPO) in Rwanda are the Anglican Dioceses of Byumba and Gasabo. Many parishes in Rwanda struggle to support themselves, let alone a pastor. Our support enables these parishes to have a pastor to help the church to grow. As part of our ongoing support for the pastors and as funds allow we provide them with bikes and study books. We also run annual teaching conferences for pastors and their wives. Each one runs for 2-3 days and several hundred pastors attend each year. With your support this work can grow. Through the SAP programme, individuals, home groups and church fellowships can have a direct link with one of these pastors / parishes through regular financial and prayer support. All your donation goes to helping the pastors / parishes abroad. Any tax recovered through Gift Aid will go into our general fund to help cover our administrative costs.
What does it cost?
£40 per month will provide full or part support for a pastor and his family, depending on the country and cost of living. Where the cost of living is higher (such as Gasabo) then more then one partner will be allocated to provide support. When UK partners give us 3 more than the designated amount, then this can also help make up any shortfall with individual pastors / parishes.
How is the money distributed?
Regular support (usually monthly standing order) is given to Damascus Trust. We pass it on to our CPOs who then distribute it to all the pastors / parishes that we support. A contribution (10%) is put into a Pastor’s Help Fund that covers medical treatment and other unforeseen needs. All transactions are recorded and monitored.
What information is provided?
Regular supporters are sent a profile sheet of the pastor / parish they support. This includes information about the people, the church and the area. A photo-card of the pastor and family is included.
What news do partners receive?
A quarterly update report is sent out by email to all partners providing news and prayer requests. If you don’t have email then we can post updates to you.
Can partners write to pastors / parishes?
Yes - of course. In fact we would encourage this. We will provide guidelines as well as a sample letter. All correspondence needs to go through Damascus Trust who will send it out to our CPO for translation and distribution.
How long is support given?
Damascus Trust commits to give support year on year as funds allow. We review the needs of pastors / parishes with our CPOs every 3-4 years. If you would like to be part of this work then please either click on the Donate button and choose the appropriate options or complete our SAP form and return it to our office and we will be in touch to confirm details.