Father's Heart is Helping Change Africa One Child at a Time . . . by educating orphan and vulnerable children, teaching the gospel, and providing food. This is not a quick fix, but a long term strategy targeted at changing the core values of the generations to come.
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Our Mission:
The mere mention of that continent can fill a person's mind with images of deserts, rain-forests, a vast array of wildlife and, more recently, children whose bodies have been ravaged by the two ugly sisters, AIDS and poverty. Of all the countries in Africa reeling under the devastation of the two ugly sisters, Zambia’s suffering is one of the worst. According to UNICEF, the fallout of the AIDS epidemic has left more than a million orphans in Zambia--a number expected to exceed more than 2 million by 2010. I t is amidst this kind of devastation that Father’s Heart International actively works to bring food, education and, more importantly, the hope of Jesus Christ to the people—particularly the children—of Zambia. Though we are a grass roots organization, we are big enough to get the job done. Unlike the really huge organizations, we are small enough to get down between the cracks where things fall through, so to speak. We not only minister to the poor, but we know their names.
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Meet Tom Griner:
Tom Griner is the founder and international director of Father’s Heart International. Tom first came to Africa in 1993, were, through the providence of God, he was invited to host a national television program called Power in Reality. The audio of the program was also aired on Christian Voice Radio, a short wave radio station broadcasting to Africa, and parts of Europe and Asia. While ministering in a conference he met and became friends with Peter Ndhlovu, a local pastor in Lusaka, Zambia. Over the next couple of years, Tom became more keenly aware of the suffering of the African people in Zambia. He also observed how pastor Peter and his wife Hilda diligently fed orphan children from their kitchen door. This was touching to Tom because he knew how poor Peter and his wife were themselves. It was from these experiences that Tom along with his wife Kathie were moved to commit themselves and their resources to help elevate the pain and suffering in this world of poverty and AIDS. Right afterward, a new friend of theirs came with them see what was happening in Africa. When their friend, Joe Rousek, drove in the night and saw the plight of the street children sleeping hungry and vulnerable in the streets, he was brought to tears. He cried, "What can I do to help?" Together, he along with his wife Ann committed with the Griners to do something about the situation. An organization with the goal of feeding and educating children to change the course of Zambia was born--Father's Heart Africa. (Read or listen to this exciting real life adventure story in Tom's book, Wounded Continent.)
Tom has been in ministry for more than 30 years. He has doctor of ministry degree from Oral Roberts University. He and his wife Kathie have been married for 31 years and live in Nevada. They have three daughters, Danielle, Bethany and Lacy.
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Ministries of Father's Heart:
Feeding and Child Sponsor Programs--To care for, protect and raise-up orphaned and vulnerable children to be productive members of society, Father’s Heart partners with church communities that have a heart to care for these dispossessed children. These churches start schools with Christ-centered curriculum and begin to care, feed, and educate those who attend. Unlike the public school, no fees are charged the children. Father's Heart then comes alongside and provides the necessary food supplements to feed each child as well as school supplies, clothes, uniforms, desks, and salaries for teachers. As a result of these programs, children who would have been marginalized, now have a chance of becoming godly young adults who will be the leaders, fathers and mothers of the future. The chief support of these programs comes from our child sponsorship program. We invite people to pledge $32 per month for the support of a particular child. Each sponsor gets a photo of their child, letters, and the knowledge that they are helping change the life of a needy child as well as the community the child lives in. Every dime goes into the effort to fund and continue funding the church communities that provide the food and education for these needy children. [Child Sponsor Q&A]
Evangelistic Campaigns-- For the restoration of countries reeling from economic crisis, critical food shortages and the AIDS pandemic, the only long term answer is the blessing of God. It is a historic fact that where ever the gospel of Jesus Christ is proclaimed and lived, over time, those people are lifted into higher dimensions of success and prosperity. FHI seeks to accomplish this through citywide open air evangelistic meetings. For those who come to Christ, we work with the local churches to disciple these new believers and enfold them into the church community. [see video of citywide evangelism]
Pastor Conferences and Pastor Sponsorship Program-- We want to lift the nation out of disease and poverty. The pastor is a key influence in the African context. He can shape the contour of the church and thus the mind and practice of the African community. Teaching from an African perspective, FHI addresses many of the issues that confront local pastors and their churches, particularly the issues of AIDS, abstinence and child abuse. FHI also addresses the need for local churches to take responsibility for 'at risk' children, including their care, food, education, salvation and spiritual growth. Through touching pastors, FHI is in the grassroots of society. Besides encouraging and teaching, our greatest priority is to see new churches planted. Each of our pastors plants several churches in the rural setting. Our commitment is to fund them for two years. We are able to do this through those who donate to our conferences and by those who sponsor pastors monthly. We ask 4 people to sponsor a pastor with $32 per month. This gives a pastor and his family $128 per month. This small amount of money allows the pastor to feed and house his family, transport himself into the rural areas, have biblical literature including Bibles, and establish himself among the people he is serving. Those who sponsor a pastor receive photos and updates of the pastors work. [pastor sponsor q&a]
Building, School, and Clean Water -- To help restore the African church and its community, FHI is committed to the building of church and school structures, repair of water wells and the provision of educational materials to aid in school education. All the while we have in mind the advancing of the local church community toward its own self-sufficiency. This is why we do not sent missionaries to run the programs but always work through the national people. We are helping the African church do its calling within the African context through African methodology.
Father's Heart International uses your money as wisely as possible. Operating costs and service expenses are essential to run a sponsorship program. Keeping these expenses to a minimum is our priority. FHI is also dedicated to accurately accounting for all donations to ensure that all monies are applied to the program and community where most needed. Financials are available on request. Our organization is audited and reviewed by Schafer Accounting, a CPA firm founded in 1972 and
backed with over 30 years of industry experience.
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Contact Us
Use the contact form below for your comments or questions about Father's Heart and the web site. Or, you can contact us by mail or phone:
Father's Heart International
2385 Virginia Vista Dr.
Reno, NV 89521
800.873.1753
For answers to commonly asked questions regarding Child or Pastor Sponsorships please visit our frequently asked questions page.
Tom Griner is the founder and international director of Father’s Heart International. Tom first came to Africa in 1993, were, through the providence of God, he was invited to host a national television program called Power in Reality. The audio of the program was also aired on Christian Voice Radio, a short wave radio station broadcasting to Africa, and parts of Europe and Asia. While ministering in a conference he met and became friends with Peter Ndhlovu, a local pastor in Lusaka, Zambia. Over the next couple of years, Tom became more keenly aware of the suffering of the African people in Zambia. He also observed how pastor Peter and his wife Hilda diligently fed orphan children from their kitchen door. This was touching to Tom because he knew how poor Peter and his wife were themselves. It was from these experiences that Tom along with his wife Kathie were moved to commit themselves and their resources to help elevate the pain and suffering in this world of poverty and AIDS. Right afterward, a new friend of theirs came with them see what was happening in Africa. When their friend, Joe Rousek, drove in the night and saw the plight of the street children sleeping hungry and vulnerable in the streets, he was brought to tears. He cried, "What can I do to help?" Together, he along with his wife Ann committed with the Griners to do something about the situation. An organization with the goal of feeding and educating children to change the course of Zambia was born--Father's Heart Africa. (Read or listen to this exciting real life adventure story in Tom's book, 
