2025 – A Year of Impact
KERUS CARE CENTER
Grannies on the Go
We are thrilled to announce the formation of the official Grannies Soccer Team, ready to compete in friendly community matches. This unique initiative embodies Kerus’s whole-person approach, fostering health, laughter, vital social connection and joyful recreation for the dedicated women who support our children. Also, once a month, these vivacious ladies take a day to share their stories and pray together in more depth—a precious sisterhood!
Tae Kwon Do
The Tae Kwon Do program began in 2022 and is proving vital in building courage, discipline, and confidence for children recovering from trauma and difficult circumstances. Under expert guidance of Mr. Obakeng Skhosana, a 4th Dan Black Belt, the program provides a structured, encouraging outlet that he says is “less about creating tiny fighters and more about building better human beings.” Four orphans are diligently preparing to test for their Black Belts at the University of Pretoria, a powerful testament to their resilience and personal growth. We are so proud of our young martial artists! You can read more about this program here!
It’s Playtime!
A wave of pure, unadulterated joy recently swept through the KCC as the children celebrated their brand-new playground, built thanks in part to the incredible generosity of our partner Rich Fork Church in Thomasville, NC. This vibrant addition provides a vital space for children navigating poverty and trauma to play without fear under the watchful eyes of attentive staff. What a gift of a normal childhood pleasure! Take a look at the new playground here!
Academic Enrichment
This year we were able to launch our new Saturday Academic Enrichment Program. Recognizing that many of the vulnerable children we serve face significant gaps in their formal education, this initiative is designed to provide concentrated, high-quality instruction in a safe and supportive environment. This Saturday program focuses on critical subjects and cultivating the critical thinking necessary for future success.
TRAINING
Kerus Goes Digital
In 2025, in partnership with TWR, we began digitizing our life-changing trainings on preventing child sexual exploitation, turning them into digital tools and radio programs that will be able to serve remote communities far beyond the reach of in-person settings. We also expanded Holding Esther, a powerful radio drama that teaches through story, making them both memorable and accessible. In the coming years, these initiatives will expand across many nations, equipping communities worldwide to protect children and stop exploitation before it begins.
Training Key Influencers
Jennie and Marcia had the privilege of holding 12 trainings in South Africa, Zambia, North Carolina and Virginia this year, including a highly productive time with the staff from Baptist Children’s Homes in Thomasville, North Carolina.
“The content of Courage to Care was exactly what we have been looking for to equip our staff to recognize and respond to human trafficking. The feedback from our staff has been nothing short of exemplary. One of our team members, a 23 year department of social services veteran, stated ‘all social workers and all parents need to be exposed to this training.’ ”
—Christopher Allabaugh, Former Associate VP, Baptist Children’s Homes Child and Family Services
KERUS EVENTS – Coming together for Change!
Our two annual Kerus events in Harrisonburg, Virginia and Newport Beach, California were celebrations of the amazing journey of Kerus Global Education over the past 25 years. Record numbers of partners and kindred spirits joined together at both venues for evenings of great entertainment, delicious food, fun with silent and live auctions, and most importantly for a time of challenge and affirmation of their commitment to continue reaching the world with Kerus’ message of hope and healing.
This year we also held our first Kerus Lawn Party in Harrisonburg. More than 300 people spent a delightful evening out on the lawn of Brix and Columns Vineyard, indulging in the best of local cuisine from Harrisonburg’s premier food trucks and enjoying the relaxing music of Everyday People. The night was a continuation of our year-long 25th Anniversary celebration.
What excited us most about all our events was seeing the incredible community that has galvanized over our quarter century of service, and to see so many kindred spirits catching the vision and joining our mission. There is such power in partnership, and we are grateful for the entire Kerus family—past, present and future. Now, the mission is clear—there are lives to be saved—Let’s go!!
A JOURNEY OF CONNECTION – Kerus Teams Unite in Cape Town
This past February, both our U.S. and Soshanguve teams traveled to Cape Town, South Africa to join Jennie and Marcia for an intentional immersion into the very heart of our mission. It was deeply moving to see both teams working side-by-side, forming bonds that video meetings can’t replicate. Tabitha, Stacy, Kele, and Khensani—four remarkable women from different worlds—collaborated seamlessly and joyfully, working hand-in-hand to help Jennie and Marcia successfully facilitate a two-day Courage to Care training.
This training was with Connect Network, a collaborative network of more than 100 organizations working with vulnerable at-risk woman and children. More than 80 organizational leaders came hungry for truth and genuine solutions in combatting one of the world’s greatest travesties. These courageous warriors work in the poorest of the poor townships where they face the most horrific violence and devastation in their communities daily. One participant considered this time “a retreat for the soul” not only to gain knowledge but to be refreshed and renewed for the mission.
This journey to Cape Town was a powerful reminder that Kerus is built on relationships. It’s in these shared moments, this collaborative effort, and this genuine compassion that our work truly flourishes. This is the essence of Kerus: uniting hearts and hands across the globe to bring true Godly hope and healing to those who need it most.
25th ANNIVERSARY VIDEOS
We are excited to share two amazing videos about our Kerus journey—where we’ve come from and where we’re going.