FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Kensington?

Kensington is a thriving church community where people can hear God's truth, experience his love and respond to him with freedom. We were founded over 25 years ago and have grown to six campus locations with a weekly attendance of over 14,000. Our administrative offices are located in Troy, Michigan.

What is Kensington's Child Sponsorship Program?

Our goal is to break the chain of poverty and change the future of children under the care of existing homes run by Kensington's Global Partners. We're providing the Kensington family and the community at large the chance to sponsor a child with a monthly financial commitment, prayer support and encouragement.

The program is designed to benefit children physically, mentally and spiritually. It will address the underlying causes of material poverty, while allowing children to fully utilize their God-given abilities and to hear about the love of Jesus Christ.

What is a child sponsor?

A sponsor is someone like you who's decided to personally invest in the life of a child in need through monthly financial support and ongoing encouragement. Your commitment will enable a sponsored child to participate in Christ-based programs with life-changing benefits including:

• Nutritious food & clean water
• Shelter & clothing
• Basic health care
• Education
• Christian teaching

In addition, you can help your sponsored child develop confidence and self-worth by expressing your love through letters and prayers. As a sponsor, you'll enjoy a real connection with the specific child you support – they will know your name, write to you and benefit directly from your monthly sponsorship.

How much does it cost to sponsor a child?

The cost of a basic sponsorship is just $45 per month. This tax-deductible amount covers everything the child needs – housing, meals, health care and primary education. All funds collected are pooled to implement these benefits to all children at each Global Partner location. This allows kids waiting for sponsors to also benefit. For children in high schools the cost is $82 and goes directly to pay the cost of boarding school, uniforms, books, and medical care.

May I send gifts to my child?

Sponsors can give additional monetary gifts to two separate funds. The Christmas Gift Fund buys presents for your child and others in the program. All money collected for Christmas will be evenly distributed to all the children – sponsored and unsponsored (we don't celebrate birthdays because many of the children do not know their date of birth). Gifts are also welcomed to the Education Sponsorship fund which allows qualified students in each country to continue their education beyond the primary level.

How can I donate?

You can go to NoChild.org and click on DONATE or mail your donation directly to: Kensington Church, 1825 E. Square Lake Rd., Troy, MI 48085, Attn: Child Sponsorship

What will the child I sponsor receive?

They will receive five key opportunities that most of the world's poorest children will never get, including...

1. The opportunity to hear the gospel and learn about Jesus. Your Kensington sponsorship provides kids with regular Bible training and encouragement through a local church committed to Christ and the children in its community.
2. The opportunity to receive an education: This usually means providing the cost of school fees, clothing and supplies. It can also allow some students to stay in school longer if formal schooling is an option.
3. The opportunity to be healthy: The health of the child you sponsor will be monitored and medical care will be provided as needed. Children are taught about hygiene and how to maintain personal health.
4. The opportunity to receive shelter, food and clean water: The child you sponsor will reside in a children's home run by one of Kensington Global Partners, providing regular meals and clean water from deep water wells.
5. The opportunity to develop self-confidence and social skills: The child you support will be part of a church-based program where Christian adult leaders offer love, guidance, personal attention, recreation and safety.

What do I receive as a child sponsor?

Best of all, you get the knowledge that you're helping to guarantee a better future for a child who is living in extreme poverty. You will also receive:

• A Welcome Kit with a photo and info about your sponsored child
• The opportunity to write and receive letters
• Annual progress reports and regular updates

What ages of children are eligible for sponsorship?

Ages may run from Pre-K through early 20's. A child's age will not necessarily indicate what school grade he/she is in. When children come to the children's home, their education level is assessed, and they are placed in the appropriate grade. There may be different ages in each grade level. Children will generally stay at the children's home through their primary education.  High school students attend boarding school and are back at children’s homes during school breaks and holidays.

Do any of the children have parents?

Technically, yes. Some of the kids at the children's homes do have parents, but the adults are so poor or so sick that they cannot provide for their family. Sometimes parents will bring their children to the children's homes, knowing the Christian workers will take them in. It must be so heartbreaking to give up your child rather than watch them starve. With or without parents, all the kids in our program urgently need sponsorship.

How important is prayer with a Kensington sponsorship?

Prayer is a critical link between sponsors and children. Your sponsored child is in need and vulnerable. Your prayers for their health, safety, education and spiritual development are critical. Sponsored children are greatly encouraged when they hear their sponsors are praying for them. As you share your own family and personal concerns with them, you'll discover that the child you sponsor is consistently praying for you, too!

What countries are we offering sponsorships in?

Sponsorship is currently offered through Kensington's Global Partners in Kenya, India, and Nepal. Other nations could be added in the future.

Who are Kensington's Global Partners?

1. Pokot Outreach Ministry (Kenya): Julius Murgor established the Pokot Outreach Ministry in an effort to reach the Pokot tribe (estimated 1 million) with the gospel of Jesus. Julius (a Pokot himself) received his seminary degree in the USA and returned to Kenya with a strategy to meet the greatest needs of the Pokot. By establishing children's homes, responding to famine relief, installing water wells, founding medical clinics, building schools and planting churches; POM has seen an incredible response to the gospel.
2. Christ Evangelical Mission (India): Jaya Sankar became a follower of Jesus around the age of 15. He received a vision to reach out to the poorest of the poor in the village of Dowlaiswaram by following God's calling on his life, and began working with several groups of marginalized, forgotten people. Jaya has a seminary degree and combines his education and compassion to impact thousands of people every year. CEM is comprised of seven ministries with the common goal of reaching people by demonstrating the love of Jesus.
3. Ramesh Sapkota is working with at-risk girls in Nepal through a Community, Health, Education, Livelihood, Improvement program. The program provides community-based projects (clean water, agriculture, latrines, etc.) that will help to eliminate social or physical risks for girls and their families. The girls receive anti-trafficking training, counseling, job skills training, medical care, education, and are given a message of hope. These young women are bringing the same message of hope to other women and girls in their communities through training and taking lead roles in the community-based projects.

How long will my child sponsorship last?

You can stay with a child right up through the school year in which they reach the ages of 18 to 22. For sponsors who choose to help with their child’s higher education this could mean a few years beyond 18 to 20. Although we hope you will be able to continue your support until a child completes the program, we recognize that a sponsor's circumstances may change. You may discontinue your sponsorship at any time.

By the same token, a child's circumstances may also change. For example, a family could move away beyond the reach of Kensington's program and certain children would have to leave our care. We'll inform you promptly if anything affects the child you sponsor, and we'll offer you other opportunities.

If I discontinue my sponsorship, what happens to the child?

If you need to end your child sponsorship, we will immediately look for a new sponsor. To inquire about canceling your sponsorship, please call our office at 248.786.0644. Hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM EST.

How can I communicate with the child I sponsor?

Being a sponsor is not only about financial support. We encourage sponsors to get to know the child they're sponsoring, and exchanging letters is a great way to build that relationship. You may send cards and letters to your sponsored child via Kensington's main office address (located on your child's profile card included in your sponsorship Welcome Kit). Sending correspondence through Kensington enables our staff to maintain required correspondence records and also protects your privacy. Sponsor letters will be delivered to coincide with Kensington's short-term trips to that country. These teams will hand deliver all letters due to the limited postal access to some of the child locations. The timeframe for delivery depends upon the country you choose, and you will be provided details once you begin support for your child.

What are the letter writing guidelines?

Sponsored kids love to get letters and keep them as treasured reminders that someone loves them! Please follow these simple guidelines for letter writing...

Please Do:

• Keep your letters simple, one or two pages in length.
• Tell them about things you enjoy doing in your spare time.
• Tell them about your job, school, family.
• Share your walk with Christ.
• Share your dreams for your future.
• Encourage their education and relationship with the Lord.
• Tell them about your hobbies and interests.
• Tell them about interesting places you have visited.
• Include pictures of your family and your life. Because dress standards may be different in your child's country, please dress modestly (Beach attire, for example, is not suitable for these photographs).
• Keep in mind that while we treasure our pets in the U.S., children in other countries often do not understand the concept of having pets.

Please Don't:

• Promise anything you can't keep. This includes mentioning that you'd like to visit sometime. To a lonely child this means you're coming soon.
• Make any type of suggestion that you may want to adopt them or bring them to the U.S.
• Give personal mailing information or phone numbers (for your privacy).
• Share personal financial information with them.
• Send communications inconsistent with the Christian values we share with our Kensington Global Partners.
• Send gifts (except for the Christmas gift plan described above).

Will my child write to me?

Your child will write you at least once a year. This will coincide with Kensington's short-term trips collecting the letters and bringing them back. A teacher or staff person will help children who can't read and write yet. As your exchange of letters grows over the years, you can build a scrapbook of letters and photos from your sponsored child. Your scrapbook will serve as a constant reminder of the relationship you've developed and how you've contributed to their growth.

What other opportunities will I have to learn about the child I'm helping?

In addition to letters from your sponsored child, Kensington will send you periodic updates about your child's progress and regular updates about your child's country and Kensington's program there. NoChild also has a Facebook and Instagram page that frequently posts information about trips, the children and the staff. We’d love for you to Like us on Facebook and Instagram.

Can I visit my sponsored child?

Absolutely! Kensington regularly sends short-term trips to work with our Global Partners. You are invited to join any of these trips to work with and visit your sponsored child. Click here to see all the short-term trips currently available.

Do you ensure that my support actually benefits the child I sponsor?

Kensington conducts audits regularly to make sure funds are properly received, tracked and managed. This ensures that funds are reaching your child's children's home and being spent on planned activities. But we also want to be sure that real development is taking place in the life of every sponsored child. So we work hard to monitor (through yearly onsite visits and through our Global Partnerships) and evaluate each children's home in terms of program effectiveness and long-term impact - right down to the individual child.

What happens to children in the program who are not sponsored?

Your support is pooled with the support of other sponsors. Together they fund the care of all the children at the children's homes of each Global Partner. This blending of support with others makes it possible to ensure that all the children residing at each children's home are cared for. Our goal is 100% sponsorship of all the children – to raise the level of care for every child in the program.

What percentage of my donation goes directly to the program?

Kensington retains 10% of donations for administration of the program. 90% is sent to Kensington Global Partners for disbursement to the field.

Are my contributions to Kensington's child sponsorship program tax-deductible?

Yes. All contributions are tax-deductible.

Will I receive a tax receipt for my contributions?

Twice a year, Kensington will mail you a detailed Contribution Statement.

Who can I contact with questions?

You can call 248.786.0644 or email us at Kensington Church for any additional questions you may have.