onesiphorus

House of Onesiphorus

Refreshing God’s Soldiers, One After the Other

Vision:
At House of Onesiphorus, we are committed to Refreshing Rural Ministers and Their Families. Inspired by the biblical story of Onesiphorus, 2 Timothy 1:16-18, who brought comfort and support to Apostle Paul, our mission is to bring renewal and strength to ministers and their families serving in rural areas.

2 Timothy 1:16-18 (NIV):
“May the Lord show mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, because he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains. On the contrary, when he was in Rome, he searched hard for me until he found me. May the Lord grant that he will find mercy from the Lord on that day! You know very well in how many ways he helped me in Ephesus.”

What We Do

Food

To ensure that the families of rural ministers have access to adequate nutrition by providing food supplies every three months.

Education

To enable children of rural ministers to access quality education from primary to secondary school by paying their fees and providing educational materials.

Essentials

An essential need refers to anything that requires urgent attention and immediate fulfillment. These needs are crucial for the well-being and daily functioning of the minister and his family.

FOOD

The Need: Many rural ministers and their families struggle to afford three square meals a day due to limited financial resources. This lack of proper nutrition can impact their health and well-being, making it challenging for them to focus on their ministry work.

How We Help:

Quarterly Food Supplies: Every three months, we deliver essential food items to these families, ensuring they have consistent access to nutritious meals.
Nutritional Balance: We provide a variety of food items to meet their dietary needs, including staples like rice, beans, grains, and other essential foodstuffs.

By addressing their nutritional needs, we help relieve the stress of food insecurity, allowing ministers and their families to concentrate on their vital work without the constant worry of where their next meal will come from.

EDUCATION

The Challenge:
Children of many rural ministers often suffer from poor education due to financial constraints. Their parents, unable to afford school fees, resort to homeschooling without the necessary skills and resources, resulting in inadequate education.

How We Help:

School Fee Assistance: We cover the costs of tuition, ensuring that these children can attend school without financial barriers.
Provision of Educational Materials: We supply necessary items such as textbooks, uniforms, stationery, and other learning tools to support their educational journey.

By addressing both the financial and material needs, we empower these children to receive a comprehensive education, opening doors to future opportunities and success.

ESSENTIALS

Healthcare Services: Providing medical care and supplies to address immediate health concerns.
Clothing Provision: Supplying clothing to meet basic needs, ensuring that ministers and their families have appropriate attire for different seasons and occasions, which is crucial for their dignity and comfort.
Emergency Repairs: Fixing critical issues such as a leaking roof to ensure safe and habitable living conditions.
Sanitation Facilities: Installing toilets or constructing boreholes to ensure access to clean water and proper sanitation.

Characteristics of Essentials: Immediate, One-Time, Critical.

By addressing these essential needs, we aim to create a foundation for sustainable development and improved quality of life for ministers in rural and underserved areas.

How We Choose

Location

35%

Duration

34%

Livelihood

31%

Inspired by Onesiphorus’s diligent search for Paul, we are committed to identifying and supporting ministers in the most remote and hard-to-reach areas. Our selection criteria focus on those who are miles away from towns and have limited or no other means of survival. The further a minister is from urban centers, the higher their eligibility for our support. By prioritizing those in the most isolated and challenging locations, we aim to provide critical assistance to those who need it the most, ensuring that no servant of God is left without the support they deserve.

To ensure our support reaches dedicated ministers, we have established the following eligibility criteria based on the duration of their service:

Non-Indigenous Ministers: Must have lived and ministered to the people in the region for a minimum of 2 years (24 months).
Indigenous Ministers: Must have served in the region for a minimum of 3 years (36 months).

In Paul’s case, it’s likely that One-siphorus visited him in jail. During that time, Paul, despite being a skilled tentmaker, lacked the means to sustain himself. Drawing from this example, we prioritize ministers who find themselves in similarly challenging circumstances. Our focus lies on those with minimal or no other means of survival, ensuring that our support reaches those facing the most acute needs. Additionally, we extend our assistance to the widows of late ministers who passed away while actively serving their communities.

The Promise

Paul was so pleased by Onesiphorus’s kindness that he prayed, “May the Lord grant that he will find mercy from the Lord on that day.” While “the day” can refer to Judgment Day, it often signifies a time of personal trial. I believe that Paul’s prayer for mercy over Onesiphorus will be answered in our lives and affairs as we care for God’s servants in difficult situations. This prayer inspires and motivates us to support those who dedicate their lives to ministry under challenging conditions, knowing that we, too, will receive mercy in our times of need.

Become an Onesiphorus

The name Onesiphorus is of Greek origin and means “bringing profit” or “bringing help.” It is derived from the Greek words “onein,” meaning “to profit,” and “pherein,” meaning “to bring.” In the New Testament, Onesiphorus is known for his loyal support and encouragement to the Apostle Paul, especially during Paul’s imprisonment. His name reflects his role as a source of assistance and benefit to others (Strong’s Concordance).

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