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Siloam Christian Ministries was established in the UK in 1982 by Mr Richard Norton, the current Chief Executive who had the vision to partner with overseas churches and Christian organisations to use education, medical aid, social and other relief as a vehicle for the gospel of Jesus Christ. Siloam is indeed a practical expression of God’s love and Siloam continues to raise financial help for many in great need in the developing world. Siloam is a ‘needs orientated’ ministry raising support for over 30 projects worldwide that do not enjoy the financial support of other more prosperous UK Charities.
The name was taken from the Pool of Siloam in Israel as the parent organisation originally majored on restoring the eyes of the blind in India, who had been affected by cataracts. This was the calling of the late German father of the mission Dr Karl Becker in Germany back in 1979. Siloam UK still helps provide funds for the Siloam Thomas Eye Hospital in Coimbatore, South India, check out project: 009.
Siloam also supports Pappy Daniel’s ‘Light of Hope’ mission in Kerala – project: 013, where vulnerable children are cared for and helped with their education. Other small children’s projects are also supported in India by Siloam.
Although the UK ministry is a totally separate organisation from the former German organisation, since those early days it has extended its vision to address the needs of the poor and deserving by providing the needed finances for churches and Christian groups to organise their own children’s summer Bible camps, Christmas food parcel outreaches and ongoing support for children in residential homes and schools where they also receive a Christian education.
Siloam Christian Ministries although a small ‘kitchen table Charity’ based in Leamington Spa employing 5 workers, 3 of whom are part-time, believes it currently punches far above its weight in terms of effectiveness in providing for the needs of others in the developing world.
With less than 1,500 regular giving friends, Siloam last year received donated income of over £250,000 and because Siloam is a registered Charity Reg. #327396, ‘gift-aid’ recovered in 2019 totalled over £29,000.
Altogether over 30 projects benefit from Siloam’s contributions which are made possible by regular giving supporters/investors who generously contribute towards the needs of the Siloam partners overseas.
Most of the general office expenses are covered by income generated by an investment fund so costs are kept to a minimum. Please request a copy of our audited/inspected annual accounts, you will see how transparent we try to be.
A quick overview of Siloam’s website www.siloam.org.uk will show you the full extent of the organisation’s ability to make that ‘Pound in your pocket’ go much further than anticipated. Siloam’s Bible camps are perhaps its most popular project: 037 which contributes over £20,000 each year for the funding of children’s Bible camps in Portugal, Peru, Poland, Bulgaria, Romania and the Ukraine. Here children are exposed to the gospel message and are challenged by the scriptures during the course of a week packed with physical activities and much fun.
At Christmas time, Siloam provides Christmas food parcels for needy families in Portugal, Bulgaria and the Ukraine. Altogether over 1,300 food parcels are distributed at a cost of £17,000.
Because the organisation derives its name from the Pool of Siloam in Israel, Siloam honours that inspiration by raising financial support for ‘Love to the Needy – Israel.’ This partner ministers practical Christian help to refugees from Eastern Europe and Africa who have fled to Israel because of their Jewish ancestry. Other desperately poor people are also helped. In 2019, Siloam contributed over £8,500 to project: 050 ‘Love to the Needy – Israel.’
Other projects include the Lambwe Christian School for the Deaf in Kenya – project: 042 and Blessed Generation’s children’s homes – project: 022 which has a high school in a suburb of Nairobi as well two residential children’s homes in Malindi and at Nyamira. Also in Kenya, Siloam supports a number of church ministries involving sharing the gospel with the poor and equipping pastors to be able to present the true gospel message in a thorough, uncomplicated and ethical way.
In Peru, Siloam also works with partners at Childcare Worldwide (see www.childcareworldwide.com) who have programmes to help disadvantaged children as well as helping to fund a Life Centre Advocacy initiative – project: 018 which keeps children usefully occupied on Saturday mornings in like Sunday school settings teaching them Christian character traits through its C.C.D programme.
In the Philippines, Siloam helps to maintain the Rehoboth Children’s Centre for abandoned babies and toddlers – project: 006 and assists with the funding to try and find adoptive ‘forever families’ for needy children that deserve a better future. Thankfully, many children are resettled in USA and Europe although not so many in the UK due to our strict inter-country adoption laws. The Ephesians Christian Academy – a small pre-school is another beneficiary, please see project: 082.
As far away as Vietnam, Siloam currently sponsors the education of 126 children through its sponsorship programme - project: 043 which co-operates fully with the local authorities and enjoys the privileged support of the Vietnamese government. More committed sponsors would be very welcome who could provide just £15.00 per month in sponsorship, - please contact us.
Obviously Siloam feels that if it had more supporters, it could do far more which is why we are hoping you will read this article and be motivated to at least check out our website to see whether you could partner with us in any way. New investors are always welcome, we promise to spend your hard-earned money carefully with the aim of bringing more folk into an understanding of the gospel of Jesus Christ, which is our inspiration.
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The views and opinions expressed in these news articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the position of Practice Enterprise, The Solicitors Group or of its clients.
